Spring Picnic Season? Watch Out for Potato Salad Danger

Panko Alerts · April 20, 2026

As Chicago warms up and picnic season starts, be extra careful with mayo-based dishes like potato salad, coleslaw, and sandwiches when eating outdoors. These foods can grow harmful bacteria fast when they sit in temperatures above 40°F - and April's unpredictable weather means food can go from safe to risky in just an hour. If you're unsure how long something has been sitting out at that Lincoln Park picnic or outdoor event, it's better to skip it than risk food poisoning.

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Source: Panko Alerts