Grains such as wheat, barley and rye commonly come into contact with various species of fungi. Fungi grow on grains within fields, although fungal proliferation is much more common when grain is stored in silos for long periods of time. Exposure to fungi, molds or toxins produced by these species can cause a variety of symptoms in people, ranging from mild to severe and life-threatening. Thoroughly washing and drying grains and other types of commonly contaminated food will reduce your risk of exposure and symptomatology.
Hallucinations are a psychotic symptom that cause people to see or hear things that are not there. Ergot, a plant disease caused by a fungus, causes poisoning in humans and animals. In some types of ergotism, symptoms include h...
Oat, or Avena sativa, is a cereal grain that is grown predominantly in the cool and moist regions of Europe and North America. The seed of the plant is made into oatmeal and rolled oats, commonly used to make breakfast cereals....
Although corn is grown throughout the United States, it's the predominant crop of the Heartland region, which includes the states of Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and parts of South Dakota, Nebraska, Kentucky, Ohio and Missouri. Acc...
The Department of Agriculture advises that you heat your ham to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit for safety. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy. Ham should not sit out in room temperature for more t
This, in addition to their wide availability and low cost, makes them one of the most used plastics for making bottles and food containers. FDA regulations permit the use of these containers for single and repeated use. Hong Ko...
The clear plastic wrap used to keep your foods safe could be hazardous to your health. Researchers have discovered that trace chemicals found in plastic products are responsible for an assortment of medical conditions. As a re...
Consumer satisfaction is the key to a restaurant's success. To maintain customer satisfaction, restaurants must be able to serve the foods that customers want to eat, even if it means having to serve raw or undercooked foods to...
While irradiated food is not widely sold in the United States, the process of food irradiation is used throughout the world to reduce the risk of illnesses and food poisoning. In addition to some safety concerns, irradiated foo...
Your child's natural curiosity can put her in a lot of situations where germs abound. From sticking her hands in her food and touching other surfaces to playing in the dirt, helping your child understand germs and how handwashi...
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites or toxic chemical offspring of certain fungal species that are found naturally in the fields where food crops are grown or that sometimes contaminate harvested crops during storage. Food pro...
They are made from chicken, pork, turkey, beef or a combination of all meats. Although they can be flavorful, hot dogs can pose a safety hazard if not cooked, served or prepared properly.
Noodles are one of the most common foods in Chinese cuisine. Knife-cut noodles are a popular dish and can be paired with a variety of sauces or soups. In traditional Chinese cuisine, lye water is used to give the knife-cut nood...
These movement deficits can make it almost impossible to complete meal preparation for yourself at home. Using safe, Parkinson-specific strategies will improve your safety and facilitate your independence with food preparation.
Some of the fruits you enjoy as part of a healthy diet might have a nasty secret. Despite their health value, some fruits contain toxins that can cause unpleasant side effects or more serious health consequences in both people ...
Cassava, manioc, and yuca are names that refer to Manihot esculenta, a woody shrub that yields a tuberous root used as a food in many parts of the world. Though the plant is often confused with the yucca plant, yuca is unrelate...
If your leftover sauces tend to turn into something resembling a science experiment, you may need to rethink the way you store them. Many times, simply putting sauces into the refrigerator is not enough; sauces that are not pac...
In an ongoing effort to protect the consumer from buying and using outdated food and foods containing allergens, the USDA and the FDA oversee the food safety and inspection process for food and food safety labeling practices. B...
Foodborne diseases are a public health risk in the global South and in developed countries as well. According to the World Health Organization, food safety procedures and programs can improve food safety from production to cons...
Fresh produce may have wax coatings used to retain moisture or minute residues of pesticides, neither of which are harmful. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that harmful bacteria may come into contact with fruits and...
Foods contain bacteria, which can cause illness in your child and family if the food is improperly prepared. If your child enjoys helping with food preparation, educate and engage him in food safety protocols to keep him healthy.
Food safety requires handling food in ways that prevent germs. Germs, also called bacteria, get into foods in many ways and can make people sick. Millions of people get sick each year from illnesses caused by bacteria in food. ...
Preventing foodborne illness is usually an adult's responsibility, but kids can easily take part in making sure food is clean and safe to eat. Even very young children should start learning healthy habits, such as hand washing,...
The risks of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, could be substantial and irreversible. Concerns about GMO safey have been raised from a variety of sectors: religious, environment, public interest, scientific and governmen...
When we eat out, we expect food handlers to follow food prep safety standards, including wearing gloves. Often, however, we fail to hold ourselves to these same standards when we prepare food at home. Some people find that glov...
Dozens of factors have an impact on the quality of each food product. These variables range from how the product was grown and harvested to how it was packaged, stored and eaten. There are several main factors that have an espe...
A sneeze guard has been a popular health addition mainly for salad bars and buffet tables to keep germs and contamination away from food and utensils. Sneeze guards usually include an acrylic pane or roof within a channeled fra...
Another option is to thoroughly reheat luncheon meats and hot dogs until they are steaming before eating, as this eliminates many foodborne pathogens.
Canned Foods
Do not purchase food that comes in cans that are dented, ...
Store raw meats on a plate in the refrigerator, particularly if they are defrosting. This will keep any juices that may escape from dripping down onto other products. Store ready-to- eat meats, such as lunch meat, separately f...
