Summer heatwaves impact food safety and event planning in Slovenia

Extreme summer heat is influencing various aspects of daily life and seasonal activities in Slovenia, specifically regarding food safety and event organization.

To prevent food poisoning during picnics and camping, the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) warns against the temperature range of 5–63 °C, where bacteria can double every 20 minutes. Per NIJZ recommendations, highly perishable food should be discarded if left in this range for more than two hours, or one hour if external temperatures exceed 32 °C. Experts advise using insulated bags with ice packs and checking refrigerator temperatures to ensure they remain at 5 °C or below.

In the event industry, wedding planner Petra Starbek of Storija Weddings notes that extreme heat is now as critical a planning factor as rain. Organizers are increasingly prioritizing shade, air conditioning, water availability, and adjusted ceremony timings to ensure the comfort of guests, particularly children and the elderly. High temperatures can significantly impact the well-being of attendees and service providers during summer celebrations.