Extra precautions must be taken when preparing food for people who are at a higher risk of becoming ill from foodborne illness. Those include the very young, the very old, pregnant women and the chronically ill.
Sep 2022 |
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Photo Credit: Yingko - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)
Raw milk can be a source of dangerous microorganisms that pose serious health risks. Home pasteurization kills harmful bacteria and is a good safeguard against the risk of illness. Here's how to do it.
Whether you're making fresh pickles or fermented ones, recipes have changed over the years so some older recipes may not be safe. Here's how to decide if a pickle recipe measures up to modern safety standards.
Food poisoning is a common cause of illness and is often mistaken for the 24-hour flu. It has many causes with symptoms lasting for a day or a week or more. Here's a primer on food poisoning and how to avoid it.
Freezer failure can mean the loss of a large investment in food, time and money. Here's a guide to being prepared for freezer failure, what to do if it happens, and which foods you can save and which you should toss.
Understanding which foods need to be refrigerated and how long they'll keep is crucial to preventing foodborne illness and reducing food waste. Here's a look at what to keep in your refrigerator and for how long.
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 provisions.
An Oregon State University study published in 2021 found that soaking raw ingredients – usually grains, nuts or seeds – to make "sprouted" foods lowers the risk of salmonella growth on these increasingly popular healthy snack foods.
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.
Contact me for questions on 4-H youth development programming in Sherman County as well as healthy living topics such as MyPlate, gardening, food preservation and food storage!
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.
Q: I just moved into a new apartment and I was wondering how often I should be cleaning out my refrigerator and my freezer. I would like to know recommendations for the actual sanitation of the fridge and how often I should throw away old food. Thank you!
