Fresh-Caught Fish
Maintaining Quality in the Catch Fresh-caught fish from either freshwater or saltwater must be handled properly to avoid spoilage and to maintain a delicate flavor, firm texture and a pleasing odor....
Category: Safe Handling
Safe Handling of Poultry
Selecting the Best Fresh poultry — chicken, turkey, duck and goose — is defined by the USDA as poultry that has never been below 26 °F. When held at temperatures ranging from 26 to 40 °F, there is...
Handling of Cheese for Safety & Quality
Cheese comes in many forms ranging from soft to hard and natural to processed. How cheese is handled for safety and best quality is dependent on the type of cheese. Natural Cheese Natural cheese can...
Mud Daubers
Description & Habits Mud daubers are wasp-like insects that construct nests from mud. They make a variety of nests ranging from elaborate structures (i.e., multiple tubes several inches long or...
Antioxidants
What Oxidation Does Have you noticed how fast an apple turns brown after it is cut? Have you ever tasted vegetable oil that has become rancid? Both of these changes are caused by cell damage due to...
Vacuum Packaging Foods at Home
Vacuum-packaging machines or vacuum sealers are available to vacuum package foods at home. This process may extend the storage time of refrigerated foods, dried foods and frozen foods, but it may...
Blueberry Basics
This flavorful berry is enjoyed in muffins, cobblers, pies, and pancakes as well as in fresh fruit salads or just by the handful. Blueberries are brimming with vitamins, minerals, fiber and...
Safe Handling of Wild Game Meats
ABIDE BY GAME REGULATIONS FOR HUNTING, TRANSPORTING AND STORING GAME. Care in the Field Be Prepared for the Hunt: Remember to bring a sharp hunting knife, a small hatchet, a whetstone or steel,...
Safe Handling of Milk & Dairy Products
Milk Grade A milk is carefully produced, processed and packaged in order to protect the safety of the consumer. Grade A milk must be pasteurized to be sold by retailers in interstate commerce. Raw...
Chemicals & Foods
Food Additives We often think of food additives as complex chemical substances produced by our modern society. However, the use of food additives dates to ancient times. Early people used salt to...
Food Safety in Freezer Failure
When the power goes out and your freezer and refrigerator are off how do you know which foods are safe to eat? Since most foodborne illness is caused by bacteria that multiply rapidly at...
Safe Handling of Lamb
Selecting the Best Fresh is Best: Select lamb that is pinkish red with a velvety texture. Dark red cuts generally indicate the meat is older and less tender. Look for good marbling (white flecks of...