Home food safety and storage

Announcements

OSU Extension Food Safety and Preservation Hotline

The Hotline (1-800-354-7319) is now open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM, through October 13th. Extension certified Master Food Preserver volunteers from Lane and Douglas counties take the calls. Read more...

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Featured Resources

There are Dangers Lurking in Your Flour

Many don’t realize that raw flour can transmit foodborne illnesses. This publication outlines the risks of flour-based crafts and steps you can take to keep people safe.

Stephanie A. Smith, Rachel Beck | Jan 2022 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

You Can Prevent Foodborne Illness

What is a foodborne illness? What causes it? How can you reduce your risk of getting it? Known causes of foodborne illnesses, practicing good personal hygiene, cooking foods adequately, keeping foods at safe ...

Val Hillers, Mary Aegerter, PhD, Carolyn Raab, PhD, Sandra McCurdy, PhD, Dong-Hyun Kang, PhD | Apr 2009 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Safely Canning Foods: Pressure Canners, Pressure Cookers and Electric Pressure Cookers

This illustrated fact sheet explains the difference between pressure canners, pressure cookers and electric pressure cookers. Pressure canners are recommended for food preservation but pressure cookers and electric pressure cookers are not.

Jeanne Brandt, Nellie Oehler | Jun 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Pickling Fish and Other Aquatic Foods for Home Use

Preserving seafood with vinegar or citrus juices is one of the easiest food preservation methods known, but can yield a dangerous product if not properly prepared. Fish with high oil content (Chinook salmon, ...

Kenneth S. Hildebrand, Jr | Apr 2009 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Proper Egg Handling: From Farm or Grocery Store to Table

From the chicken to the table, this publication provides an easy-to-follow overview for those handling, storing or consuming eggs.

Stephanie A. Smith, Rachael Beck | Dec 2022 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Big Game from Hunt to Home

Describes techniques to handle game in the field, to butcher, and to store meat.

Dana Sanchez, Joy Waite-Cusic | Mar 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

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USDA and FDA Food Safety Hotlines

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854

Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET (English or Spanish).

FDA Food Safety Hotline at 1-888-723-3366

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM EST, closed Thursdays 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM EST

Learn more

Storing Food for Safety and Quality

Proper food storage ensures that the food you bring home remains safe to eat and retains its high quality. Learn about storing meat, vegetables, fruit, leftovers, home-preserved food and more.

Photo: USDA (Cropped from original)

Latest Resources

Preserving dry beans: Dry edible bean varieties grow well in home gardens in many regions. Learn about proper ways to preserve various types of bean types and methods.
Preserving Pears (SP 50-678): All varieties of pears are good candidates for preserving, but some are better than others for specific uses. Pears are best canned, dried, or made into butters, relishes and chutneys. Freezing pears isn't recommended.
Dates on Food Products (SP 50-877): Dates on food labels help you judge how long the product will be at top quality (good flavor, texture, odor and nutritional value). Dates are not an indicator of the product’s safety and are not required by Federal law. More than 20 states have their own food dating regulations.

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Become a Master Food Preserver!

Master Food Preservers are trained and certified volunteers who assist OSU Extension Service in their efforts to provide up-to-date food safety and preservation information to Oregonians. After a comprehensive, hands-on training, volunteers serve as a local community resource providing food preservation information to community members.

Learn more

Survival Basics: Food — How to Stock Up and Prepare for Natural Disasters

Scientists say that a major earthquake could hit the Pacific Northwest in the next 50 years. When disaster strikes, you will need a variety of healthy foods at hand. Being able to feed yourself and your family will help you keep calm, keep an optimistic outlook and make good survival decisions. This resource will help you gather and store life-saving food provisions.

Also, see: Survival Basics: Water to explore a variety of methods for purifying and storing water for an extended emergency.

Learn the survival basics for food

Photo Credit: Mikhailov Studio - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Latest News

Hybrid Master Food Preservation certification diversifies volunteer program

The 2023 Master Food Preserver certification course was offered in a hybrid format to improve accessibility of the course.

Jared Hibbard-Swanson | Mar 2024 | Impact story

New ‘Library of Things’ food preservation collections benefit Eastern Oregonians

Oregon State University Extension Service faculty in Harney and Wallowa counties partnered with the nonprofit organization Libraries of Eastern Oregon to launch two “Libraries of Things” in the summer of 2023 at libraries in Joseph and Burns.

Jared Hibbard-Swanson | Mar 2024 | Impact story

Value-added rental program targets food insecurity in the Columbia Gorge

The goal for the program was to increase access to free and affordable equipment for home cooks and food preservers, small businesses and small-scale commercial producers to “add value” to their raw market items.

Lauren Kraemer | Feb 2024 | Impact story

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Local, regional and community food systems

Food security

Home food preservation

Nutrition and healthy eating

Recipes

Family emergency preparedness

Upcoming Events

Sep 19

Preserving Apples Linn & Benton County Master Food Preservers

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Tangent, OR

Sep 21

Dehydrating 2.0 Q & A - Clackamas

9:00 am - 12:00 pm Oregon City, OR

Sep 21

Tomatoes & Salsa

10:00 am - 2:00 pm Myrtle Point, OR

Sep 21

Artisan Jams - Jamming it up Your Way! Hands-On

10:00 am - 2:00 pm Central Point, OR

Meet Our Experts

Cindy Brown

4-H/FCH-SNAP Program Coordinator

Contact me for questions on 4-H youth development and healthy living programming in Sherman County as well as healthy living topics such as MyPlate, gardening, food preservation and food storage!

Jared Hibbard-Swanson

Food Security and Safety Manager

Glenda Hyde

Associate Professor of Practice, Family and Community Health; OSU Extension Service Extension Disaster Education Network Delegate

Contact me with questions about food safety and preservation, managing stress and emergency/disaster preparedness

Buffy Rhoades

Family & Community Health Education Program Assistant

Contact me with questions about food preservation or volunteering in Clackamas County.

Have a question? Ask Extension!

Ask Extension is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.

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What is the shelf life of tuna preserved at home?

Q: I canned tuna in 2021 and placed it in a in a cool, dark basement. What is the shelf life?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

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