food safety

Safely Cook and Store Food

Can you guess the appropriate cooking or storage temperature only by looking at a food item, and assuming it is at a safe temperature for eating?  The answer is absolutely not.   You should know the appropriate temperatures for hot and cold foods to help you avoid illness caused by unsafe food temperatures. This happens all… Continue Reading Safely Cook and Store Food

Why Do We Wash Our Produce?

You’ve probably seen your parents wash fruit or veggies in the sink. Why is it important to rinse off your produce? When fruits and vegetables are grown and picked, they can come in contact with chemicals or other things that could make you sick to eat, like bacteria. These yucky substances are in the soil… Continue Reading Why Do We Wash Our Produce?

How to Use a Food Thermometer

Food thermometers are one of the most important tools for cooking food safely. Food thermometers are the only way to know if food is cooked to a hot enough temperature to kill bacteria that can make your family sick. Food thermometers can also help make sure you don’t overcook your meat, keeping it juicy and… Continue Reading How to Use a Food Thermometer

Safe Packed Lunches

Brushing up on food safety is important as kids go back to school. If you pack lunch for your kids, or if you pack your own lunch, you need to take steps to keep germs out. Without proper food safety, you can get very sick. And no one wants to start the school year with… Continue Reading Safe Packed Lunches

Go Further with Food Safety

Preventing food waste and saving money on groceries is one of the ways you can go further with food during National Nutrition Month. Food safety is an important part of keeping your food and leftovers safe and germ-free. As you work to reduce food waste in your kitchen, remember these tips to go further with… Continue Reading Go Further with Food Safety

Safely Cooking for Large Groups

Many holiday celebrations are centered around sharing food with family and friends. Because you only want to share love, not germs, food safety needs to be a part of the holiday meal planning process. Cooking for large groups presents a different set of food safety concerns than everyday cooking. In addition to the usual food… Continue Reading Safely Cooking for Large Groups

Safe Temperatures for Food

Just like us, bacteria need food and water to grow and multiply. They also need a comfortable living environment, not too cold and not too hot. Bacteria that cause food borne illnesses are commonly found in foods we eat. So how do we keep this food safe to eat? By making it hard for bacteria… Continue Reading Safe Temperatures for Food

 

Happy and Healthy Summer Celebrations

Camping, barbecues, picnics, potlucks, and al fresco dining are popular summer pastimes. We love breaking bread and enjoying sunny weather together. All too often, nutrition and food safety take a backseat to enjoying these summer celebrations. But with these tips and recipes, your family can make memories that last a lifetime while still eating smart!