Food Safety Be sure to plan, portion, and pack your meal with food safety in mind for a worry-free trip. Pack smart: Put the popular items, like drinks, on top when you are packing the food. You don't want to pull out the pasta salad every time someone wants a of water. Better yet, pack drinks and food in separate coolers so the food can stay cold until you are ready to eat. Stay out of the Danger Zone: Bacteria can grow quickly when food isn't stored at the right temperature. Keep cold food at or below 40°F using ice or cool packs and keep hot food at or above 140°F using things like slow