Should one buy fruits or vegetables in season or out of season? At the supermarket or from the farmers market? These are frequent questions that consumers often face when purchasing fresh produce. View Article
After a day of fun in the sun, it's easy to empty your cooler and forget about it until your next outing. But a clean, safe cooler starts before your next picnic even begins. Take good care of your cooler and you'll ensure that it's bacteria- and germ-free every time you use it. View Article
Proper hand-washing has the power to reduce food poisoning and significantly reduce the spread of the common cold and flu. View Article
You can find illness-causing germs all around your kitchen, from appliances and utensils to kitchen surfaces and cutting boards. For this reason, it's important not only to wash your hands, but also to clean utensils, surfaces and appliances before and after handling food in order to prevent the spread of bacteria. View Article
From arugula to watercress, leafy greens are fresh, beautiful, tasty and healthful. There's one golden rule that applies to any leafy greens: Between purchasing and plating, washing them properly is key to food safety. View Article
When you want to disinfect your hands fast, you may reach for a bottle of hand sanitizer. But how effective is hand sanitizer compared to washing your hands with soap and water? View Article
Mold, bacteria and spills in the refrigerator can put you at risk for food poisoning. Maintaining a clean refrigerator can help improve the safety and quality of your foods. For the best cleaning results, always refer to your refrigerator's owner's manual, but here are a few simple refrigerator cleaning tips. View Article
From your hands to kitchen counters, it is important to wash. However, when it comes to food, the rules of washing are not as clear. View Article
Spring cleaning is a great opportunity to give the kitchen a good food safety check and cleaning, especially refrigerators and freezers where raw meat, poultry and seafood is stored. Follow these tips for a thorough spring cleaning. View Article
It's not just your hands that need washing before, during and after food preparation. To prevent food poisoning, it's also important to remember to wash your cutting boards. If not cleaned and maintained properly, cutting boards can hold harmful bacteria and spread food poisoning. View Article
Bacteria can spread through cross-contamination. This occurs when raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs come in contact with ready-to-eat foods like bread and vegetables, so keep them separate. View Article
For the 15 million people with food allergies, 3 million with celiac disease and many more with other sensitivities, avoiding contact with an offending food is a big concern. Coming into contact with a miniscule amount of the offending food can cause life threatening reactions in people with food allergies or cause damage to the intestines of those with celiac disease. View Article
During grilling season, cross-contamination, a leading cause of food poisoning, tops the list of food safety concerns. When juices from raw meats or bacteria from unclean items touch cooked or read-to-eat foods, cross-contamination can occur, spreading harmful bacteria that can make you sick. View Article
It can be quite confusing when one person avoiding gluten can't eat French fries prepared in a shared fryer, but another will take a small bite of bread pudding. The array of terminology used only adds to the confusion: allergy, intolerance, sensitivity, celiac disease. View Article
Reusable cloth grocery totes are convenient and environmentally friendly, but could they be making you sick? Here's how to reduce your risk of food poisoning. View Article
When juices from raw meats or germs from unclean objects accidentally touch cooked or ready-to-eat foods (such as fruits or salads), cross-contamination occurs. If not cleaned correctly, the board harbors harmful bacteria. View Article
Cooking for a crowd is not the same as cooking at home. You are preparing more food for more people, which may result in an increased risk of food poisoning. When cooking and preparing food for your next group gathering, follow these important steps. View Article
You can't tell if a food is safely cooked by sight, smell or even taste. A food thermometer is the only way to ensure food is cooked to the proper temperature and harmful bacteria are eliminated. View Article
Don't rely upon sight, smell or taste alone to determine if your food is safe to eat. Make sure foods are cooked to a safe minimum internal cooking temperature by using the chart below and testing the food with a food thermometer to make sure this temperature is reached. View Article
As elevation increases, the atmospheric pressure decreases, or becomes thinner. The atmosphere becomes drier and liquids evaporate more rapidly, resulting in the need for changes in cooking methods. High altitude is defined as an elevation of 3,000 feet or more above sea level. View Article
As gooey and delicious as it might look, eating raw cookie dough could make you very sick. When handling raw cookie dough, keep these safety tips in mind. View Article
After spending a long day at work, enjoying a home-cooked meal sounds appealing; however, not everyone has the time and energy to sweat over a hot stove every night. The solution is to prepare meals over the weekend and reheat them during the week. The question is, how far in advance can meals be prepared while still being safe to eat? View Article
Slow cookers are a convenient way to whip up a delicious dish with minimal effort. Just throw all of the ingredients in the pot, turn it on, head to work, come home and dinner is ready to be served. View Article
Have you ever thought of taking your thermometer's temperature? Here's how to give your digital and non-digital food thermometer a regular check-up. View Article
Do you enjoy meat that is cooked until it is just rare or medium-rare? It's okay if you're not a fan of well-done meat. You don't need to give up enjoying foods prepared the way you like. But you will want to know the safest way to savor lightly cooked meat. View Article
The best way to teach kids about eating right is to actually get them into the kitchen to prepare healthy meals together. Cooking is a valuable life skill that teaches children about nutrition and food safety, as well as building math, science, literacy and fine motor skills. View Article
Stores carry a wide variety of food thermometers, from traditional dials to even disposable varieties. Take a look at those listed below and pick which type is best for you and remember to use it every time you cook. View Article
When it comes to keeping your food fresh and safe, your refrigerator is your best friend. If you can't remember the last time you gave your fridge a good wipe down — or it's so stuffed you can't find a thing in it — it could be time for an overhaul. View Article
Cooling foods keeps them out the "danger zone" — between 40°F and 140°F — and slows the growth of illness-causing bacteria. Refrigerate promptly and properly to reduce your risk of food poisoning. View Article
Freezing is an effective way to make perishable items last longer. The process of freezing prevents the growth of bacteria, yeasts and molds that cause food spoilage and food poisoning. However, it is important to follow these tips to safely freeze and protect the quality of your foods. View Article
When you're planning a day outdoors, bringing a cooler can keep your food safe, fresh and tasting great for hours. However, to get maximum mileage out of your cooler — and minimize the chance of food poisoning — you have to load it properly. View Article
You know milk, meat and eggs belong in the fridge. But what about less obvious foods? Keep these 10 foods cold and they'll both stay safe and taste great longer. View Article
During power outages, food spoilage can be a serious problem when refrigerators and freezers lose power. Consumers can help avoid spoilage and foodborne illness in their homes by making sure foods stay properly refrigerated during a power outage. View Article
The cupboard is a great place to store all your shelf-stable foods, from pasta to cookies. If stored correctly, non-refrigerated foods will keep their peak quality for longer. View Article
Here's how to keep some of your favorite foods fresh and tasting their very best after opening. View Article
Thawing is primarily used for frozen meats, poultry and seafood as most vegetables can be cooked without thawing. It is important to follow these guidelines to thaw safely because bacteria can multiply rapidly when left unrefrigerated for more than two hours in the so called temperature "danger zone." View Article
College is a busy time full of new experiences. Many students may live in a dorm and use a dorm-size "mini-fridge." Even though a mini-fridge may be small, the same food safety principles apply. View Article
