Blogs

When serving a meal to a child, you may have heard them demand that their foods not touch each other. This mantra of “don’t let my foods touch!” is one to live by when storing and preparing raw animal foods, including meat, poultry, fish, seafood and eggs, which must be kept separate from ready-to...

Norovirus is the number one cause of foodborne disease outbreaks in the United States. The number of Norovirus cases reported to the...

One of the key decisions farmers make is about where to plant crops. This question becomes even more important if you plan to grow fresh fruits and vegetables that will likely be eaten without cooking. The field in which fresh fruits and vegetables are grown can greatly impact their safety, and the...

Norovirus is the number one cause of foodborne disease outbreaks in the United States. The number of Norovirus cases reported to the Centers for Disease...

Water is amazing, right! Human bodies contain around 60% water; it's part of our natural environment from weather to watersheds; and we need water for our...

Eggs are a tasty and easy-to-prepare source of protein. But when storing and handling them safely, you might have some questions. How long do eggs last in the fridge? If an egg floats, does that mean it’s bad? Can you freeze eggs? Let’s crack open some common egg safety questions!How long...

The winter season gives us time to relax a bit and to plan for the next growing season. University of Illinois Extension would like to work with you in meeting some of your food safety learning and implementation goals. You may have already taken a food safety training related to fresh produce and...

Fresh produce packing facilities come in different sizes and designs. Some maybe fully closed and others partially closed with a few legs and a roof. Some may be permanent structures and others temporary. Farms may also use their limited space to accomplish multiple activities which may include...

Something special happens when people gather around the table to eat together. It is even more amazing when they gather around the table to learn to cook together. Local University of Illinois Extension Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—Education staff partner with after school programs to...

Although it is the season of giving, foodborne illness is a gift nobody wants! Many of the favorite holiday foods pose a potential health risk if not stored, prepared and handled properly. Two of the most important rules to remember are:  1) Keep hot food hot and cold food cold...