As you set your New Year’s resolution I’m sure you didn’t include being food safe. How often does someone in your home have stomach related illnesses after a family gathering? Do you wonder if it was food poisoning from improper refrigeration, heating, or hand washing? Trust me, I do. I constantly preach to my friends […]
foodborne illness
Food Safety at Fairs or Festivals
Summer and early fall are filled with weekends of community fairs and festivals. Many of these events provide an opportunity to highlight music, nature, and achievements of both youth and adults. While these things are great – it is the food that really gets everyone so excited! Think “Rib Fest”, “Chili Cook-off”, funnel cakes, milk […]
CDC Data Shows Foodborne Illness is Still a Problem in the US
Despite new efforts to curb the rates of food poisoning in the United States, a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that overall rates are remaining stubbornly steady. As can be seen in the chart below, the rates of salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, and Yersinia infections reported in a sample […]
Listeria: A Concern for Pregnant Women and Older Adults
Listeria is a bacterium found in the environment. And, a concern for foodborne illness in pregnant women and older adults. Unlike Salmonella and E. Coli which can be controlled by high temperatures, Listeria will grow at refrigeration temperatures. This makes it more of a concern especially with deli foods. Healthy people do not normally have […]
Outdoor Grilling – Think Safety!
The weather has been nice enough lately to clean up the grill and move outdoors for a meal. Keep in mind some simple steps to keep you and your family safe from foodborne illness: CLEAN – Wash hands and surfaces often. SEPARATE – Don’t cross-contaminate. Keep raw meat and poultry apart from cooked foods. COOK […]