Food Safety

As I prepare to host Thanksgiving once again, I think about how the holiday has changed over the years.  Traditionally the day is marked by a scrumptious feast with a turkey in the spotlight.  Increasingly, in many households, there is greater focus on vegetable and grain dishes to please those who prefer a healthier cuisine... Read More »

Fresh fruits and vegetables are the stuff of healthy diets, so it may surprise you to know that fresh produce can be implicated in foodborne illness.  Salmonella, Listeria and other foodborne pathogens can contaminate your salad ingredients just as they can contaminate meats, poultry and seafood. Recently, imported cucumbers from Mexico were reported to be... Read More »

The equivalent of 15 semi-truckloads of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream was recalled earlier this year due to possible contamination with Listeria bacteria.  The recall cost the company $2.5 million, but it was the right response.  Another ice cream producer, Blue Bell Creameries, recalled all of its products made at all of its facilities after Listeria... Read More »

In springtime, hope springs eternal for a bountiful harvest from the backyard vegetable garden.  One risk to productivity, however, is pathogens (disease-causing microbes) transferred from contaminated planting pots and garden tools to vegetables, a form of cross-contamination.  Here are some tips for avoiding crop loss due to cross-contamination. Recycle Planting Pots, Not Pathogens Do you... Read More »

Thanksgiving is meant to be a delightful day centered on family, friends, and food. Traditions play a big role on this day, whether it is a brisk pre-dinner hike, watching football on TV, or giving everyone at the table a chance to express what he or she has been most grateful for this year. Thanksgiving... Read More »

Calling all cooks: As Thanksgiving approaches, you are invited to test your knowledge of safe food handling with this quiz: 1. Which of the following should all Thanksgiving cooks assume as they begin dinner preparations? a. All guests will arrive on time. b. The raw turkey is contaminated with potentially harmful bacteria. c. The mashed... Read More »