Food preservation (canning, dehydrating, freezing, etc), food recalls, handwashing, food handling and other safety topics.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated their recommendations on food handling during this time of COVID-19. The recommendations are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean. Highlights of the recommendations are: There continues to be no evidence that the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is associated with handling food or consuming food. Coronaviruses are […]
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Several manufacturers are now selling pressure canners and other appliances that are compatible with induction heating elements. Are these style of canners safe to use for home canning? Yes! Induction compatible canners function the same way as regular pressure canners in preserving food. An induction-ready canner is different because of the type of material that the canner […]
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Even though a national trend has some families converting their Little Free Libraries into food pantries, this may not be food-safe idea. Little Free Libraries have a strong tie to Wisconsin. According to the Little Free Library website, in 2009, Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin, built a model of a one room schoolhouse. It was a […]
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The Division of Extension has developed info-graphics that depict best practices for gardening in community spaces this summer. A community garden can be a great place to meet new friends and exchange gardening tips. This summer of COVID-19 there are some practices that will keep everyone safe and healthy. Feeling ill? Stay at home. Garden […]
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Which is better, wooden or plastic cutting boards? It turns out, there is no easy answer. Consumers may choose either wood or a nonporous surface such as plastic, marble, or glass – any of these materials can work. What’s important is how you handle your cutting board! The USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline has some special tips. Avoid cross contamination. This […]
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It’s no fun to wake up with a sore throat or blocked sinuses. Maybe you head to the doctor, and maybe you don’t. Knowing whether the illness is caused by a bacterium or a virus can help you understand possible treatment options. A bacterium — more commonly seen written in its plural form, bacteria – is a microscopic, single-celled […]
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Fingers crossed, the weather will continue to warm and more and more people can get out into their gardens. If you garden in a community space, it will seem different this year. An earlier update shared information on community gardening this summer. In the community where I garden, we’ve installed foot-operated hand washing stations with […]
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The Partnership for Food Safety Education lists four basic steps to help prevent foodborne illness: Clean, Cook, Chill and Separate. These food safety steps are important because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that foodborne microorganisms are responsible for 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations, and 3,000 deaths in the United States every year! Not only can you get sick […]
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Research to be published in the September 2020 issue of Food Control confirms that consumers are wasting food due to confusion over food product dating. An online survey of 1042 U.S. adults evaluated consumers’ use and knowledge of food label dates, and consumers’ habits related to disposing of food that would likely still be safe for consumption. The age […]
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With warmer weather appearing, many gardens are opening. I garden in a community garden that has personal plots and a large food pantry garden. I wanted to share the practices that we are sharing for our gardeners this summer. These best practices are based on public health guidance and what is best for our garden […]
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