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Tag Archives: food safety
Safe Handling of Wild Game This Hunting Season
It is that time of year, hunting season! For many, it is considered the best time of year. The majority of individuals who hunt do so to provide food for their families. Many prefer the taste of venison over other choices of meat. Venison is high in many vitamins and minerals our bodies need, such as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, iron, and calcium. Venison is traditionally lower in cholesterol than many other meats, thus making it a more desirable product. To have a quality, safe meal this hunting season,… Read More →
Turkey Day Trouble
“Back in my day our milk was unpasteurized, we thawed our meat right there on the counter, and the Thanksgiving leftovers were left right there on the table until after the Cowboys beat the Redskins.” These are some common sentiments I hear when talking about food safety, and there is some validity to food safety being lax in the past. Grandma most likely knew exactly where and from whom the meat, dairy, and eggs were coming, the conditions they were processed in, and the conditions of how they… Read More →
Food Safety Tips
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each year one in six Americans will come down with a preventable foodborne illness and 128,000 will be hospitalized because of it. Now, even these numbers do not give the whole picture, because not everybody goes to the doctor after a bad seafood dinner, and even fewer cases get reported as a foodborne illness to the proper regulatory authorities. Preventing foodborne illnesses at home is as easy as Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill. Before, after and even… Read More →
Keeping Summer’s Bounty Safe to Eat
Fresh melons and berries fill the aisles of grocery stores and markets. Roadside produce stands full of home grown fruits and vegetables are seen along the highway. All of these are signs that summer is here and so is a bounty of fresh produce. Summer’s harvest of fresh fruits and vegetables is an important part of a healthy diet. Just remember to handle fresh produce safely to prevent foodborne illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that there are 48 million cases of foodborne illnesses each… Read More →
Food Safety for Fresh Produce
It’s gardening season, and fresh fruits and vegetables are coming available at roadside stands and farmers markets. Fruits and vegetables are a great source of fiber, Vitamins A & C, folate, and potassium. Adults need two cups of fruit and 2 ½ cups of vegetables each day, and a variety of colors will help you get the most nutrition. These tips to select and store your fresh produce will help you keep your produce fresh and safe: Avoid produce with bruises, mold, or cuts that can result in… Read More →
Safe Handling of Wild Game This Hunting Season
It is that time of year, hunting season! For many, it is considered the best time of year. The majority of individuals who hunt do so to provide food for their families. Many prefer the taste of venison over other choices of meat. Venison is high in many vitamins and minerals our bodies need, such as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, iron, and calcium. Venison is traditionally lower in cholesterol than many other meats, thus making it a more desirable product. To have a quality, safe meal this hunting season,… Read More →
Professional Food Manager Certification Training Course
Statistics indicate that foodborne illness continues to be a health issue in the United States. Each year, 1 in 6 Americans will become sick, 128,000 will become hospitalized, and 3,000 will die due to a foodborne illness. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Bosque County, is offering a Professional Food Manager Certification training course. This program will be offered for $125 on September 22-23 at the Meridian Civic Center. Cost includes training, materials, and a national food manager certification examination. The food manager’s certification will be valid for… Read More →
Keeping Summer Harvest Safe to Eat
Fresh melons and berries will soon fill the aisles of grocery stores and markets. Roadside produce stands full of home grown fruits and vegetables will pop up along the highway. All of these are signs that summer is here and so is a bounty of fresh produce. Summer’s harvest of fresh fruits and vegetables is an important part of a healthy diet; just remember to handle fresh produce safely to prevent foodborne illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that there are 48 million cases of… Read More →
Keeping Food Safe When Cooking Outdoors
The beautiful spring weather we are enjoying makes me ready to get outside and grill in the evenings. To keep your cookouts safe and fun, follow these simple steps before, during, and after grilling to ensure a clean work space and safe food preparation. Choose meat, poultry, or seafood that is fresh and high quality and once bought, get it home and in the refrigerator right away. If the trip home takes more than 30 minutes, use a cooler. Cook or freeze fresh poultry, fish, seafood, or ground… Read More →
Have a Safe and Healthy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is such a wonderful time of year to reflect on our blessings throughout the year. I hope you find time during the holiday to give thanks and enjoy time with family and friends. This year, make the most of your Thanksgiving meal by cooking fresh, healthy side dishes and following food safety guidelines. Thaw your turkey safely. The best way to thaw frozen poultry is in the refrigerator. The USDA recommends 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds of turkey. Thawing your turkey in the refrigerator… Read More →