The search for ways to preserve foods has taken on a new impetus in light of recent contamination of meat and vegetables with bacteria and fungi. At least five essential oils are of interest to the food industry as antibacterial treatments:...
Sodium nitrite serves as a curing salt for processed meats such as hotdogs, hams and bacons. According to the American Meat Institute, this chemical proves to have a very important and vital public health function in preserving the freshness of...
While an adult's immune system can fight off many bacteria with ease, your baby's developing immune system may not be so adept. When you are pregnant, eating certain foods may be harmful for your baby's health. While certain foods, like alcohol,...
If you are pregnant and happen to like to eat hot dogs, you probably have heard a few warnings. Hot dogs are an American favorite at barbecues, baseball games and social gatherings alike. Also known as frankfurters or wieners, hot dogs are cured...
Pregnancy, especially if it's your first, can be the most exhilarating time of your life. However, it demands major changes in your lifestyle. The sheer number of new health considerations can be staggering. For example, many of your favorite...
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes, called meninges, that surround the brain and spinal cord. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the illness is most commonly caused by either viral or bacterial infection....
Feta is a soft cheese that is not recommended for consumption during pregnancy because of the potential of contracting listeria. According to the American Pregnancy Association, listeria is a type of bacteria that can contaminate food as it is...
Smoked salmon, also called lox, is a delicacy you can enjoy during any meal. Smoked salmon is made from a fillet, cured, smoked, sliced and served cold. A popular way to eat smoked salmon is on bagels with cream cheese. You may add sliced onions,...
Bacteria have a variety of weapons that they can use to invade the human body. Some have enzymes which help them escape from the immune system, while others are part of the normal flora, just waiting for the opportunity to invade. Some can survive...
Eating raw beef can make you very sick. Common reasons for illness from eating raw or undercooked beef products are bacteria introduced during any part of meat processing. Once contamination of the beef occurs, the only way to eliminate your risk...
Fish and shellfish contain protein, nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids which are important for the growth and development of a baby. One omega-3 fatty acid in particular, DHA, is essential for the development of a baby's brain and motor system,...
Even when armed with United States Department of Agriculture, USDA, recommendations on safe ham preparation, cooking hambones for the correct length of time at the right temperature to destroy any pathogens challenges the most experienced home...
Pregnancy can be an immeasurably satisfying event in your life, but most mothers-to-be can also expect some inconvenience and outright terror along the way. The question of what to eat is a prime example. Many expectant mothers are startled to...
Antibacterial agents fight infections and kill bacteria or prevent their growth on foods and other surfaces. The extract from bilimbi fruit may have some antibacterial properties and make it an attractive alternative to synthetic chemicals....
When considering carrots, you probably are not thinking of food safety, but carrots have become a carrier of bacteria and toxins due to processing and storing errors. Raw, uncut carrots grown in clean soil are generally considered safe for...
Whether dealing with cooked roast beef or deli meat, the preservation and storage methods are similar. If the manufacturer specifies a "use by," "sell by" or expiration date, use it as a baseline to determine spoilage. This date gives you an idea...
Raw cheese is typically made from raw milk, although it may also be made from organic milk that has been pasteurized with low heat. Raw milk is close to being straight from the animal, and does not undergo the skimming and pasteurizing processes...
Nitrates, or nitrites, are water-soluble, nitrogen-based organic compounds that are primarily found in protein-rich foods such as meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products. Nitrates are also found in fortified drinking water and in many vegetables,...
During pregnancy you're much more vulnerable to infection, including bacterial food poisoning. That's why doctors recommend avoiding foods that could contain nasty bacteria. In some cases, hot sausage can make an ideal home for bacteria such as...
Bacteriophage, often shortened to phage, is a type of virus that kills bacteria. Most types of phages are encased in a protein shell. Scientists in Russia and Georgia have been researching the use of phage therapy as an alternative to antibiotics...
Cooks and cooking sites are evenly divided between those who peel and de-vein shrimp before cooking and those who don't. Imported seafood constitutes 75 percent of all United States seafood consumption. Although The U.S. Food and Drug...
Beef that has been undercooked, contaminated with raw meat juice or left out at room temperature for several hours may become tainted with insidious bacteria. Even the strong gastrointestinal juices in your stomach do not kill these bacteria,...
Amateur aromatherapists and home crafters may find the difference between premium cinnamon-bark essential oil and its less expensive sister, cinnamon-leaf essential oil, confusing. The ultimate choice of product depends on the primary use for the...
Black seed oil refers to the volatile oil of Nigella sativa, a flowering plant native to southwestern Asia and cultivated elsewhere. Black seed oil has a long history of use in medicine dating to ancient Egypt. Traditionally, the oil is used to...
Baked Brie recipes commonly call for wrapping creamy Brie cheese in puff pastry, but you can also include fruit, nuts and vegetables inside the crust. One option is triple berry baked Brie, which layers berry preserves and nuts between the cheese...
Food sensitivities range from mild intolerances, with symptoms like cramping and abdominal pain, to severe, potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. The exact causes of food sensitivities remain unknown, and the most common treatment is to simply...
Bacteria are ubiquitous microorganisms found on our skin, in the air, under the soil and even in food we eat. Bacterial strains that occur in food can be either harmless, beneficial or pathogenic. Pathogenic bacteria are harmful microorganisms...
Meningitis refers to a rapidly developing inflammation of the membrane covering the brain and spinal cord due to a bacterial or viral infection. A bacterial or viral infection of this membrane, called the meninges, causes the immune system to...
Corned beef, which has nothing to do with corn but everything to do with a salt preservation method for beef, is a delicious tradition of springtime's St. Patrick's Day. Corned beef can be a significant carrier for bacterial infection, and...
