When the power goes out, don’t be in the dark about food safety
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – When the power goes out, the clock starts ticking on the safety of your refrigerated and frozen foods.Meats, seafood, ice cream, cut produce and even leftover pizza can become susceptible to foodborne contaminants in just a few hours, said Londa Nwadike, food safety extension specialist for the University of Missouri and Kansas State University.
Reduce food waste to save money
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – With the COVID-19 pandemic causing disruptions in the food supply chain, it’s more important than ever to reduce food waste, says a University of Missouri Extension food safety specialist.“In 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service estimated that 30% to 40% of edible food in the United States went to waste,” said Londa Nwadike. “At the household level, the average U.S. family of four…
MU Extension helps with feed mill training
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, offers Missouri feed mill operators training to help them comply with federal Food Safety Modernization Act guidelines.
COVID-19 safety tips for volunteers delivering food
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A University of Missouri Extension food safety specialist offers safety suggestions for volunteers delivering food to those in need during the COVID-19 era. “Many people at high risk of being severely affected by COVID-19 due to age or underlying health conditions depend on the generosity of friends, family members and volunteers for food and other necessities,” says Londa Nwadike, who holds a joint extension…
Shop safe at farmers markets
Shop safely at farmers markets: keep distance, let vendors handle produce, use sanitizer, and wash all items before eating.
More time in the kitchen makes it a good time to review food safety
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – People staying home because of the COVID-19 outbreak likely means more time in the kitchen. Now might be a perfect time to learn or review safe food handling practices aimed at keeping foodborne illnesses at bay, says University of Missouri Extension food safety specialist Londa Nwadike.Four main food safety concepts are clean, chill, separate and cook.
Free water testing for Missouri produce growers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – MU Extension is offering free microbial water testing to Missouri produce growers through a grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The tests, which meet water testing requirements for Food Safety Modernization Act and Good Agricultural Practices certification, are conducted by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) lab.
Saving food after a power outage
Those of us in the Midwest know that spring storms can bring power outages. When freezers and refrigerators are off for several hours, whether it’s due to a storm or an accident, the food safety rules about what to keep or toss are the same.
Keep your food safe during a power outage
When the electricity goes off, one important thing to know is how to save as much food as possible.
How to handle food after a flood
Floodwater can be toxic, so precautions need to be taken to prevent illness. There are special ways of handling cooking utensils like pots and pans as well as food that have been exposed to floodwater.
Grilling meat may increase cancer risks
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – Grilling meat over open flame can produce tasty meals. But it can also produce harmful chemicals, especially if the temperature is above 300 degrees Fahrenheit. These chemicals are known as heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), says Lydia Kaume, a nutrition and health education specialist for University of Missouri Extension. Broiling, charbroiling and pan frying can also produce…
June 5 bus tour to visit KC-area farms growing produce in high tunnels
Join a June 5 bus tour of KC-area farms to explore high tunnels, produce growing, and food safety practices.
Saving your food when the power goes off
Learn which refrigerated or frozen foods to save or discard after a blackout and how to limit spoilage.
Heed the labels on food gifts
Check labels on food gifts for allergens, storage instructions, and expiration dates to keep recipients safe.
Helpful hints on cooking turkey
BUTLER, Mo. – Cooking a large Thanksgiving turkey can seem daunting, especially to a novice cook, but it’s not that difficult, says a University of Missouri Extension nutrition specialist.The first question: to stuff or not to stuff.