Halloween has really taken off in recent years. What was once an evening of making homemade masks, bobbing for apples and carving pumpkins has now become a major event. These days, in the run-up to Halloween, retailers, cafés and bakeries now offer various novelty sweets and other foods. Halloween parties are also increasingly popular, and many people enjoy creating ghoulish-looking homemade treats for guests or visiting Trick or Treaters.
Safe Food Preparation for Halloween Parties
If you’re planning a Halloween party, it’s important to ensure that the food you prepare and serve is scary for the right reasons. After all, you don’t want to give your guests food poisoning! Basic hygiene rules still apply. So, before you start cooking, wash your hands thoroughly, tie back long hair, and make sure work surfaces, utensils, and chopping boards are clean.
Cross-contamination is one of the main causes of foodborne illness, so it’s vital to keep raw meat and poultry separate from cooked foods and ready-to-eat ingredients such as fruit and vegetables. Use separate chopping boards and knives where possible, and ensure that raw meat is properly wrapped or covered when stored in the fridge. Fresh produce should also be washed before cooking or serving raw.
If you’re catering for several people, avoid overloading your fridge. An overcrowded fridge won’t maintain a safe temperature (below 5°C), allowing bacteria to multiply more quickly. If space is tight, move drinks into a cool box or container filled with ice to free up room for food.
Understanding Labels and Storage Guidance
It’s always important to check product labels for manufacturers’ storage instructions and cooking times. For example, some food may be cooked directly from frozen, whilst others will need to be defrosted before cooking.
Also be aware that ‘use by’ dates relate to food safety and should never be ignored, while ‘best before’ dates refer to quality. If the product looks and smells OK, it’s generally fine to consume beyond a ‘best before’ date.
If you’re cooking meat dishes featuring chicken, pork or mince in particular, ensure the food is cooked all the way through, with no pink areas remaining and juices running clear. Similarly, if you’re reheating leftovers or pre-cooked dishes, make sure they are piping hot all the way through.
Make a note of the time you serve any buffet food out – and don’t leave it out for any longer than two hours. Harmful bacteria can multiply rapidly at room temperature, especially in items containing seafood, eggs, or dairy.
Homemade Treats and Allergen Awareness
It’s fun to make your own biscuits, cakes and other sweet treats with a Halloween theme. However, when it comes to sharing homemade food with others, particularly children who might be Trick or Treating or at a party, it’s essential to consider food allergies and intolerances.
Bought pre-packed food must highlight any of the 14 major food allergens in their ingredients list, so it’s often safer to offer this type of sealed treat to people you don’t know. If you are offering your own food, make sure you can clearly tell people what’s in it – or label it if you can. Baked goods often include flour, dairy products and eggs, which are all allergens. Others you might use are nuts, peanuts, soya, sesame and fish. An alternative is not to offer food at all to Trick or Treaters – perhaps give them spooky stickers or glow sticks instead.
Safe Food, Good Company, Great Time
Simple dishes prepared, observing good food hygiene practices and clearly labelled treats help everyone to enjoy the night without worry. By washing hands, cooking food thoroughly, avoiding cross-contamination, and keeping cold food properly chilled, you can help to ensure that the only things that give you a scare are the outfits and decorations – not the food. Enjoy your Halloween celebrations – and if you’re you’re aware of a magic spell to do the clearing up afterwards, please do let us know…