4th of July Fun!
The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.
Build a Pizza celebrates by creating our personalized food art with pizza and cookies! Join us and share your photos from your 4th of July celebration. The 1st person to post will receive a $25 gift certificate to use towards your next celebration!
Let's see YOU Be a CHEF of the Day!
Food Safety is always important to Build a Pizza. Let Your Fourth of July Celebration End with Fireworks, Not Food Poisoning
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is urging everyone to be food safe as they cook out this Fourth of July to keep the celebration free from illness-causing bacteria.
Here are some safety tips that they provide and we support:
Getting Ready
• The easiest way to stop the spread of bacteria around the kitchen is by washing your hands. Before starting, make sure you wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Dry them with a clean towel or disposable paper towel.
• Wash your hands immediately after handling meats and poultry. This is the best way to avoid cross-contamination of other foods, spice containers, or preparation surfaces.
• Set your food station table with items that can help you keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. This will help to keep perishable items out of the danger zone (40-140⁰F).
Cooking to the Safe Temperature
• Regardless of everyone’s tastes, it is important to ensure that all meat and poultry is cooked to the safe minimum internal temperatures as measured by a food thermometer.
○ Beef, pork, lamb and veal (steaks, roasts and chops): 145°F with a three-minute rest time
○ Fish: 145°F
○ Ground meats (beef, lamb, veal, pork): 160°F
○ Whole poultry, poultry breasts and ground poultry: 165°F
Keeping Food Safe
• If you plan to have a burger or hot dog toppings bar with items like mayo, sliced tomatoes or avocado, be sure to keep them cold by placing them on a tray of ice. Be sure to replenish the ice as needed!
• Perishable food items should not be left outside for more than two hours if the temperature is at or below 90°F, and only one hour if the temperature is at or above 90⁰F.
Any leftovers should be refrigerated within 2 hours (1 hour if temperatures are at or above 90⁰F) of being placed outside. If you are not sure how long food has been sitting out, throw it out immediately.
