Be mindful of safe food temperatures when cooking out this summer

If you’re going to a cookout this summer, it’s important to keep your food at a safe temperature.

Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian with Cleveland Clinic, says some summertime staples are more susceptible to bacteria growth than others.

"Meats, dairy products and any form of animal product – or salads that might be made with a sauce that may contain egg yolks, like a mayonnaise-based pasta salad, or macaroni salad, egg salad any of those things are particularly more dangerous," said Zumpano.

Food left out too long at room temperature or warmer, can cause bacteria, like salmonella or E.coli, to grow.

Most importantly, you’ll want to avoid the temperature danger zone between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s the range bacteria grows most rapidly.