Hooray. It’s time to put some of your favorite meat sources on the grill, kick back and enjoy! But, let’s be careful out there. And safe too. If you’ve got food safety questions then look to Home Food Safety. This is a joint campaign by the American Dietetic Association and ConAgra Foods. They’ve put together a wealth of food safety information.

Let’s take grilling for example. I think it’s only common sense but then not everyone thinks about it. “Handle and cook your food properly.” Do this and you really have nothing to worry about. Wonder how? Go to Home Food Safety’s Safe Grilling Guide (pdf) and learn all about it. And get a food thermometer!

This quick, at-a-glance reference helps you keep track of proper internal temperatures for all of your favorite meat dishes. Keep the Safe Grilling Guide handy – along with a food thermometer – next time you head to the grill.

Don’t have time to go read then watch this short video which gives you the basics very quickly.

I did not know that each year 76 million people in the United States get some form of food poisoning. Not that’s surprising. Probably most of these cases would be prevented from just following simple food safety guidelines. Another great source of information on food safety is USDA’s Food Safety & Inspection Service. They even have a “virtual” food safety resource called Ask Karen. If you need to get a food safety question answered while you’re outside at your grill then you can Ask Karen via mobile.

Since it’s time for outdoor grilling you may be interested to know that USDA has just revised it’s “Recommended Cooking Temperature” for all whole cuts of meat, including pork, to 145 °F.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is updating its recommendation for safely cooking pork, steaks, roasts, and chops. USDA recommends cooking all whole cuts of meat to 145 °F as measured with a food thermometer placed in the thickest part of the meat, then allowing the meat to rest for three minutes before carving or consuming.

USDA has also released a comprehensive guide to summertime grilling.

The experts at the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline have broken down safe cooking and handling practices into four simple steps: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill. To Be Food Safe this summer, round these grilling bases and your barbecue is sure to be a home run.

So, there you have it. Lots of resources for your safe holiday weekend and season long grilling extravaganza. By the way for helping spread the word about the importance of home food safety, I was entered into a drawing for a $15 Starbucks gift card and an iPad through Summertime Food Smarts, a contest run by the American Dietetic Association and ConAgra Foods’ Home Food Safety program. Home Food Safety is dedicated to raising consumer awareness about the seriousness of foodborne illness and providing solutions for easily and safely handling foods. Learn more at www.homefoodsafety.org.