Food safety for potlucks

Jane Hart, Michigan State University Extension and Libby Friend, MSU Dietetic Intern -

Potluck food safety tips to help you keep your party safe from foodborne illness.

Potlucks are a fun way for friends to socialize and share a dish from home. It’s a great way to try new things. However, it is also an invitation for unwanted guests - bacteria and foodborne illness. Some people may be hesitant to participate if they are unsure that everyone is following proper food safety guidelines. Michigan State University Extension reminds us: foodborne bacteria cannot be smelled or tasted.

Potluck food safety tips

  • When you send out your invitation, asks guests to include in their response if they have any food allergies or special diet requests.  
  • When choosing what to bring be mindful of how far you are going to travel without heat or refrigeration. If you have a farther commute, it may be best to bring a nonperishable food like cookies, a cake, chips or jarred salsa.
  • Cold food should be transported in a cooler or in a container with ice packs. Hot food is best transported in a slow cooker pot wrapped in paper bags to stay warm. Casseroles can be wrapped with aluminum foil. Insulated bags work for either hot or cold food.
  • When arriving at the potluck, make sure there is room in the refrigerator, oven or a place plug in your slow cooker pot. Hot food can be stored in an oven at 200-250 degrees Fahrenheit until it is time to eat.
  • If you brought a dish from home, make a label for your dish and list the ingredients. That way guests with allergies and food preferences will know what is in your dish.
  • Keep eggnog, cheesecake, cream pies/cakes with whipped cream or cream cheese frosting refrigerated or in shallow containers on ice to keep them cold. If not refrigerated, throw out these food items after 2 hours.

Enjoy the next potluck you have or are invited to, and if you would like more information about food safety, contact your local MSU Extension office.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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