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| Subject | Date Asked |
| Smoked turkey legs | 2/3/2012 |
| Q: How long can I leave smoked turkey legs out of the refrigrator? A: Since smoked turkey legs are considered a potentially hazardous food -- a food that can easily ... | |
| dark aluminion foil | 1/28/2012 |
| Q: Can I use aluminum foil spotting dark and opaque? I bought several rolls of foil years ago, like 4 ... A: Aluminum foil can turn grey if it has been subject to moist heat. It's odd that it would occur in a ... | |
| Okay to eat? | 1/27/2012 |
| Q: Last night I cooked up a bunch of bite sized meatballs with ground beef (@350 for 20 mins) to cook ... A: And you should be apprehensive. Here's why... While any live bacteria that may be present would be ... | |
| english | 1/26/2012 |
| Q: how may time to sterilize the jar of jam? how many sugar content of mango,pineapple,guava and ... A: Jars when making jams and jellies should be sterilized for 10 minutes. Anytime a food is processed ... | |
| Chicken | 1/25/2012 |
| Q: I have always been taught that chicken soup, pot pie, or any with chicken should never be closed ... A: Sorry to say but your husband is right... The theory that placing a lid on chicken could cause ... | |
| chicken noodle soup left on porch overnight | 1/23/2012 |
| Q: My hussband left a container of chicken noodle soup on porch overnight the temp got to 48 and there ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation for potentially hazardous foods (foods that require temperature ... | |
| selling babyfood/any guidelines | 1/22/2012 |
| Q: I was looking into selling homemade baby food but i wasn't sure if there were any laws or rules that ... A: Manufacturing baby food is a complicated and tedious process that can not be done from your own ... | |
| freezer food | 1/21/2012 |
| Q: My chest freezer was accidentally unplugged last Sunday. The following Friday (yesterday) it was ... A: The only way to know for sure if the meat was safe to refreeze was to check it when you realized it ... | |
| Reselling ready to eat foods. | 1/20/2012 |
| Q: I was wondering where i can find literature on why i cannot resell pizza slices at my convenient ... A: I can not find anything "written down" in either the IDPH food code or any Cook County rules which ... | |
| Food Safety | 1/16/2012 |
| Q: I made a large pot of seafood gumbo containing crabmeat, crawfish tails and shrimp. I allowed the ... A: Food that has bubbled and making noise is never a good sign. Bubbling is an indicator of the ... | |
| Measurements Pertaining to Foods | 1/15/2012 |
| Q: I purchased a jar of Kimchi yesterday and the label states one ounce equals one serving. Would that ... A: I just guessed that 2 tablespoons would be a 1 ounce serving based upon a jar of Kimchi that I saw ... | |
| Cooked Chicken | 1/8/2012 |
| Q: I cooked chicken, boiled with herbs, peppers, onion, lemon slices, salt to a high degree. left on ... A: The recommendation for cooked poultry leftovers is to use them within 7 days of initial preparation. ... | |
| black pudding storage | 1/4/2012 |
| Q: where in a catering kitchen fridge should you keep COOKED black Pudding? A: Since black pudding is a "meat" product that is cooked and considered ready-to-eat - RTE (could be ... | |
| food safety issue | 12/30/2011 |
| Q: does a waiter or waitress need to wear a hair restraint(in a pony tail for instance) if their hair ... A: Waiters and waitresses are not required to wear a hair restraint like those individuals who work ... | |
| Refreeze cooked ham? | 12/27/2011 |
| Q: I have a fully cooked spiral ham that was frozen and thawed overnight in the sink. (I know this not ... A: If you ate the ham and nothing has happened to you, then that is a good indication that even though ... | |
| Refreeze cooked ham? | 12/27/2011 |
| Q: I have a fully cooked spiral ham that was frozen and thawed overnight in the sink. (I know this not ... A: Your's is a good question which, unfortunately, does not have a definitive answer. When a ... | |
| trail bolagna | 12/25/2011 |
| Q: I received some trail bologna and baby swiss cheese from a relative in Ohio. It was not shipped in a ... A: Unfortunately, trail bologna needs to be shipped cold and refrigerated when received. While it is a ... | |
| sauce in the freezer | 12/22/2011 |
| Q: how long is sauce with meat in it good in the freezer A: As long as the sauce is continuously frozen it is safe in the freezer for a long, long time. ... | |
| thawed salmon | 12/21/2011 |
| Q: I took a large salmon fillet out of the freezer and put it in the refrigerator to thaw and forgot. ... A: The general rule of thumb for seafood including salmon is that it should be cooked within 1-2 days ... | |
| reheating food left out overnight | 12/21/2011 |
| Q: We live in Hawaii. Often in our rush to get our daughter to bed we accidentally leave food in a pot ... A: There isn't a "chart" to show which foods can safely be left at room temperature and reheated ... | |
| Pickle Jar Lid Didn't "Pop" | 12/20/2011 |
| Q: I saw another post about an olive jar lid not popping when opened. I have a Best Maid jar of ... A: Normally, commercially processed pickles give more of a "swish" sound as opposed to a "pop" when ... | |
| Can I eat my ham? | 12/7/2011 |
| Q: I brought home a ham and set it down on the table and completely forgot to put it in the fridge. It ... A: The general recommendation for all foods that require either refrigeration or heat to keep them safe ... | |
| food safety | 12/6/2011 |
| Q: I ate a bite of pita bread but noticed a moment later when I was about to bite into bread again a ... A: Consuming a small amount of mold usually brings no side affects, though some people may experience ... | |
| Food storage for baby rice porridge | 11/30/2011 |
| Q: I have baby twins now 7 months old. I started them on rice porridge and after cooking their rice ... A: First congratulations on your twins. Since cooked rice is considered a food that can support the ... | |
| sweet potato pie filling and egg safety | 11/29/2011 |
| Q: I had left over sweet potato pie filling in the fridge for a week. I was too busy to make more pies. ... A: If you were a restaurant, the maximum amount of time foods that need time and or temperature control ... | |
| Canning Chili Sauce | 11/27/2011 |
| Q: My recipe is strictly reconstituted dry chilis that have water, black pepper, garlic, cloves and ... A: The reason you do not see research and tested home recipes for canning chili sauce with the ... | |
| acorn squash | 11/26/2011 |
| Q: I baked an acorn squash for Thanksgiving and just found out last night that the left over squash was ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume cooked vegetables that have been at room ... | |
| Fresh Turkey - Unrefrigerated | 11/24/2011 |
| Q: I bought a 14.5 lb fresh butterball turkey at the supermarket. By the time I finished shopping and ... A: Yes, it is safe to roast your fresh turkey. The general rule of thumb is to not have food that is ... | |
| Turkey Stock | 11/22/2011 |
| Q: Is turkey stock that is sealed in a carton still good if the expiration date is August 2011? A: Yes, it is safe to consume products past their "best if used by date" however the quality may not be ... | |
| old oatmeal | 11/20/2011 |
| Q: i ate oatmeal about 6 weeks ago for three days then i stated developing loud roaring noises in my ... A: It would be impossible to know if eating oatmeal that had a "best if used by " date of 2008 and your ... | |
| home preserving family recipe | 11/17/2011 |
| Q: I make this great garlic sauce that my friends always ask me to make for them I would love to be ... A: As there hasn't been a similar recipe tested at a research university, I can not give a ... | |
| Frozen Berries | 11/16/2011 |
| Q: I purchased the Dole frozen fruit bags with the intention of making smoothies - although now my ... A: Yes, it is safe to serve your daughter the frozen fruit in the frozen state. The package simply ... | |
| Shelf life of ricotta cheese frozen | 11/10/2011 |
| Q: I am going to make lasagna for a birthday dinner this evening so I took out my frozen ricotta cheese ... A: Ricotta that was frozen before its "Best if used by date" should be used within 6 months for best ... | |
| butternut squash | 11/7/2011 |
| Q: Our church is serving squash at our annual bazaar luncheon. We have cooked, pureed and frozen our ... A: This is a good question which I'm not sure I have a definitive answer. I would try the following ... | |
| Pressure canning potatoe soup | 11/7/2011 |
| Q: I was about to try it. I won't now. Is it safe to can potato soup? A: Unfortunately, it's not recommended to can potato soup that contains any thickeners (flour, ... | |
| leftovers | 11/5/2011 |
| Q: I made cabbage & noodles for dinner yesterday and forgot to put in fridge. Sat out all night. Is ... A: I know you are thinking that since it doesn't contain meat that a dish made with vegetables and ... | |
| raw tuna | 11/3/2011 |
| Q: I recently bought frozen ahi tuna filets from Target's Market Pantry brand frozen seafood. I've ... A: Have you contacted Target and asked them about the change in the product? If you haven't, I suggest ... | |
| expiration dates for Rao;s sauces | 10/31/2011 |
| Q: We have several jars of unopened rao;s sauces, marinara etc. How can I tell from the codes on the ... A: When codes are not readily discernible as to a date, then the codes are strictly for the ... | |
| pumpkin pie storage | 10/29/2011 |
| Q: If I put my fresh pumpkin pie in the refrigerator, will it make the crust get soggy? A: With pumpkin pie a custard-type pie (contains eggs and milk) and with pumpkin having a pH above 4.6, ... | |
| Pressure canned meat sauce/safe? | 10/27/2011 |
| Q: This summer I bought my first pressure canner and prepared 14 jars of spaghetti sauce with meat. I ... A: The jars that are sealed but have a large headspace (that's what the space between the jar top and ... | |
| Refrigerate peanut butter? | 10/24/2011 |
| Q: does peanut butter have to be refrigerated after opening it or can it be stored on the shelf? A: It depends upon the peanut butter as to whether it needs to be refrigerated after opening. ... | |
| food safety for home made tomato meat sauce in refrigeration | 10/22/2011 |
| Q: I made a tomatoe, ground beef and pork sausage spaghetti sauce. Finished it in the evening. Left it ... A: Though I know you want for me to give you the okay for heating and consuming this soup, I ... | |
| pressure canning | 10/20/2011 |
| Q: I cannot use pasta, flour or milk in soups for pressure canning. But can I use pearl barley and /or ... A: No, you need to precook the dry beans or lentils first before canning. For each cup of dried ... | |
| Refreezing pork chops | 10/19/2011 |
| Q: My freezer door got left open and we didn't notice it until 48 hours. My pork chops were defrosted, ... A: If the pork chops were completely defrosted -- no ice crystals remaining in the meat -- then they ... | |
| Prepping food | 10/10/2011 |
| Q: As an avid cooking show watcher, there is always so much prepping on the day before events. Being a ... A: Many foods can be safely prepped the day before cooking/eating and save a lot of last minute ... | |
| Turkey soup rendering the carcass | 10/10/2011 |
| Q: After I have carved the thanksgiving turkey I toss the bones and carcass into a pot, fill it with ... A: This is a good question as I've never heard of making turkey stock this way and am not aware of any ... | |
| how soon does a pork picnic need to be cooked | 10/9/2011 |
| Q: How long is it safe to keep a smoked pork picnic in its original packaging in the fridge before ... A: First, does the pork roast have a "sell by" date on the package? If so, you can keep the roast in ... | |
| canning | 10/6/2011 |
| Q: CAN YOU CAN CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP WITH THE NOODLES, I'VE DONE IT BEFORE BUT FROM SOME READING IT ... A: Research that was done at the Center for Home Food Preservation at the University of Georgia found ... | |
| Pumpkin Pie | 10/4/2011 |
| Q: after the pie is baked snd cooled, how do you keep water from forming on top? Cover? Refrigerate? ... A: Water can form if the pie is overbaked and then stored in the refrigerator. The problem is when a ... | |
| refreezing and what to throw out | 9/23/2011 |
| Q: During the night my freezer stopped working. I had frozen chicken soup that defrosted, but was ... A: The general rule of thumb on foods in a freezer that stops is that if ice crystals are still present ... | |
| Canned pumpkin safety | 9/21/2011 |
| Q: I've canned pumpkin for a number of years following current safety guidelines. Yesterday I prepared ... A: First, the recommended time for processing pumpkin cubes in pint jars in a weighted gauge canner is ... | |
| Pork loin left out last night | 9/20/2011 |
| Q: We grilled a pork loin last night around 8:30. I put it in the microwave because our (inside ... A: Good Morning Jan, Unfortunately, the recommendation is to pitch all foods that require temperature ... | |
| Microwavable Foods | 9/19/2011 |
| Q: I made a microwavable lean cuisine pot sticker in microwave today. It says you are supposed to heat ... A: All beef, pork and chicken Lean Cuisine frozen microwavable meals are made from pre-cooked meat ... | |
| Raw Turkey | 9/11/2011 |
| Q: I bought fresh (unfrozen turkey) yesterday and put it in the fridge. Three hours later I realized ... A: This is a timely question given the recent recall of ground turkey here in the US. Salmonella ... | |
| pork tenderloin | 9/9/2011 |
| Q: Is a pork tenderloin that has been frozen since 2009 still ok to cook and eat? A: If the tenderloin has been solidly frozen -- has not been defrosted and refrozen -- then it safe to ... | |
| sour cream safety issue | 9/9/2011 |
| Q: I have an opened container of sour cream with an expiration date of July 15th. It was opened on Aug ... A: This is a good question as sour cream is one product that traditionally can have a longer ... | |
| canning chicken broth | 9/7/2011 |
| Q: All chicken broth recipes for pressure canning call for only using the chicken carcass, but I have ... A: Yes, you can pressure can your strained broth. Most recipes are based on using the carcass of the ... | |
| Sealed frozen ahi tuna | 9/5/2011 |
| Q: We had a power outage for 48 hours, did not open the refrigerator or freezer. We had frozen tv ... A: The general recommendation for foods in the freezer that have been through a power outage is that if ... | |
| Pickles | 9/5/2011 |
| Q: I have a gallon jar of sliced dill pickles that I took from a picnic, that was left over. I was ... A: Commercially processed sliced dill pickles do not freeze well so I don't recommend that you freeze ... | |
| Canned Peas | 9/4/2011 |
| Q: I opened a newly bought can of peas to make a soup. The sell-by date is years away,the peas smelled ... A: Yes, the peas are safe to eat. As long as the can looked good (no major dents or bulges which could ... | |
| Well water | 8/29/2011 |
| Q: With all the media uproar on well water my mil brought some tomatoes from their garden over that had ... A: The chances of an amoeba hitching a ride to your house is about 1 in a trillion or even less. In ... | |
| Food out of fridge multiple times | 8/23/2011 |
| Q: Can food be out of the fridge for up to four hours multiple times? Example is: we bought cheese, ... A: No, for food to remain safe it can not be out of refrigeration or off the heat source multiple ... | |
| bathroom sanitation | 8/23/2011 |
| Q: Wondering if you know of any studies to evaluate whether men who stand to urinate vs. sit leave the ... A: I did a quick search of literature and found no research specifically associated with the sanitary ... | |
| Food out of fridge multiple times | 8/22/2011 |
| Q: Can food be out of the fridge for up to four hours multiple times? Example is: we bought cheese, ... A: It depends on the food as to how long it can be at room temperature and remain safe. Foods that ... | |
| Hamburgers | 8/19/2011 |
| Q: We made hamburgers last night and put leftovers in the fridge. I heated one up hot this morning, ... A: If the hamburgers were fully cooked (to at least 155 degrees F) initially, and then promptly ... | |
| steaks | 8/19/2011 |
| Q: if i bought steaks on monday afternoon put them in a meat tenderizer and stored them in the fridge. ... A: If all depends upon the "sell-by" date of the steaks. If the sell-by date was 8/17 or later, then ... | |
| Vacum packed Salmon | 8/18/2011 |
| Q: I caught some Red Salmon on July 15th, 2011 and I vacuum packed it on the 17th. It has been in the ... A: The general rule of thumb for home preserved vacuum sealed fresh fish that uses ... | |
| selling homemade jam | 8/16/2011 |
| Q: what regulations do I have to follow to sell my homemade jams & jellies at a local flea market in ... A: The first step you need to do is to determine if homemade jams and jellies are even allowed to be ... | |
| refreezing | 8/10/2011 |
| Q: can I refreeze tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese? A: Yes, you can refreeze tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. As long as these products were defrosted ... | |
| I may have left out the vineger in salsa | 8/9/2011 |
| Q: I saw your response on this and the time frame of when it could be re-canned was cut off. I am not ... A: Foods may be recanned within the first 24 hours after the initial canning procedure. Without ... | |
| homemade salad dressings | 8/5/2011 |
| Q: Should homemade salad dressings be refrigerated? A: It depends on the ingredients. If it is a vinegar and oil based dressing and does not contain any ... | |
| fresh roasted pig | 8/3/2011 |
| Q: We had a fresh roasted pig for our Fourth of July family gathering, I took some of the roasted meat ... A: From your description you said that the bag of roasted pig has been in and out of the refrigerator ... | |
| cheese left out | 7/29/2011 |
| Q: I left the cheese in the car last night around 8:30pm til 11:30am. I live in New Orleans and it was ... A: Processed cheese, such as prepackaged sliced colby jack cheese, can be out of refrigeration and ... | |
| Trail Bologna | 7/27/2011 |
| Q: How long is trail bologna safe to eat if refrigerated? A: I contacted the makers of Trail Bologna in Ohio and got the following reply: Hi Carol......the ... | |
| Red Velvet Cake with possible cream cheese frosting | 7/26/2011 |
| Q: We purchased a cake yesterday from a bakery - the cake was in the case with all the other things so ... A: I would just relax. Listeria is associated with raw milk products -- not pasteurized products such ... | |
| Red Velvet Cake with possible cream cheese frosting | 7/25/2011 |
| Q: We purchased a cake yesterday from a bakery - the cake was in the case with all the other things so ... A: Since the cake was out of refrigeration no more than 1 hour and 15 minutes, both the cake and the ... | |
| Salsa | 7/24/2011 |
| Q: My question is, may I substitute the 3 cups onions with 3 additional cups of tomatoes in my salsa? I ... A: Vegetables are vegetables, but botanically tomatoes are a fruit -- not a vegetable. Vegetables have ... | |
| Cooking Fish | 7/23/2011 |
| Q: I purchased some cod fish today for a recipe I wanted to try out. It called for Haddock, but also ... A: Yes, you can cook at a lower temperature for a longer amount of time and suggest you trying your ... | |
| Cooking Fish | 7/22/2011 |
| Q: I purchased some cod fish today for a recipe I wanted to try out. It called for Haddock, but also ... A: The oils found in fish contain particular types of omega-3 fatty acids called eicosapentaenoic acid, ... | |
| Salad dressing power outage | 7/22/2011 |
| Q: We experienced a brief power outage this morning. (less than 3 hours) Before I could think of it, ... A: Short power outages where the refrigerator stays closed are not a major concern as the internal ... | |
| Cooking Fish | 7/22/2011 |
| Q: I purchased some cod fish today for a recipe I wanted to try out. It called for Haddock, but also ... A: I think you are confusing the breakdown of omega-3 fatty acids found in cooking oils when exposed to ... | |
| CUT Watermelon storage | 7/20/2011 |
| Q: I just bought a large watermelon at a grocery store today, and AFTER I cut it in half I realized I ... A: Once cut, all melons -- including watermelon -- should be refrigerated. The reason for this is that ... | |
| Defrost/Refreeze | 7/19/2011 |
| Q: I have some chicken that needs to be cleaned for a barbecue. I have almost 100 pieces to clean and ... A: Yes, it is safe to defrost and then refreeze IF you do it properly. Since poultry is known for ... | |
| Beef Roast with Grey Spots | 7/17/2011 |
| Q: I bought a beef roast at the grocery store on Friday 7/15 and it has an expiration date of 7/20. ... A: Brown or grey spots on whole muscle meat without evidence of food spoilage (off flavor, texture or ... | |
| gluten-free bakery in home | 7/16/2011 |
| Q: I live in Elmhurst, IL and I want to start a gluten-free bakery in my basement of my home. My boys ... A: Congratulations on wanting to start a gluten-free bakery. There is a demand for good quality and ... | |
| Cold Meat | 7/13/2011 |
| Q: I gave my granddaughter a ham sandwich which I thought was recently purchased from the store. I ... A: The possibility of listeria - a food borne bacteria that can grow in refrigerator temperatures and ... | |
| spaghetti sauce storage | 7/13/2011 |
| Q: Is it safe to eat spaghetti sauce that has been stored in the refrigerator for 24 hours in the pot ... A: It depends.... Was it a big pot of spaghetti sauce that would have difficulty cooling down to 41 ... | |
| Food safety | 7/12/2011 |
| Q: I bought an uncooked, frozen quiche. I baked it as per instructions but it was not eaten so I ... A: As long as the quiche was handled properly it is safe to freeze foods more than once. The key word ... | |
| vacum sealed frozen chicken | 7/11/2011 |
| Q: it has been frozen for 16 months will it be safe to eat A: Yes, it will be safe to consume. Frozen foods that are continually frozen are safe to consume for ... | |
| Need a quick answer | 7/10/2011 |
| Q: What is the proper way you stack defrosting meats? I mean like chicken on top and then beef or is ... A: The order for defrosting meat is the meat with the highest cooking temperature is on the bottom. So ... | |
| Frozen meatballs and pork loin roasts | 7/8/2011 |
| Q: 1? I purchased frozen, cooked meatballs 9 months ago. The package has never been opened. Are they ... A: Yes, both the frozen cooked meatballs and pork loin are safe to cook and consume. As long as both ... | |
| Temp. to kill listeria | 7/7/2011 |
| Q: At what temperature is listeria killed and after it is heated to that temperature is there any risk ... A: The cooking temperature to kill Listeria is 158°F. This why it is recommended for people who are ... | |
| Spaghetti Sauce | 7/6/2011 |
| Q: I found my frozen spaghetti meat sauce thawed in the freezer. Is it safe refreeze it for future ... A: If the meat sauce still had ice crystals when found, then it is safe to refreeze or place in the ... | |
| leftover restuarant food | 7/5/2011 |
| Q: Today we went to eat Asian food and then decided to go to the movies. Left the restaurant at 4:30 ... A: The situation you described is a perfect environment for bacterial growth and resulting food borne ... | |
| transporting fruit tart with dairy ingredients | 7/4/2011 |
| Q: I am baking a fruit tart in shortcrust pastry. Both the crust and the filling contain butter. I am ... A: From the ingredients you described -- baked crust containing butter, fruit covered by a fruit ... | |
| Canning Chicken Stock | 7/4/2011 |
| Q: All methods I have found call for a pressure canning proceedure. I was hopping I could can using a ... A: The only safe way to can chicken stock is in a pressure canner. The reason for this is chicken ... | |
| Pork roast in vinegar all night? | 7/3/2011 |
| Q: At around 10pm last night, my husband put a couple of pork roasts in the crock pot, added brown ... A: There is no way of knowing 100% if the pork roast is still safe to consume. All we do know is that ... | |
| cheese | 7/2/2011 |
| Q: Schlitt, Thank you in advance for answering. Yesterday I bought a brick of cheddar cheese from the ... A: No, eating a small amount of mold that is commonly found on cheese is not harmful. It could cause ... | |
| Baked potatoes-no foil | 6/9/2011 |
| Q: The restaurant where I work is taking baked potatoes (no foil) out of the oven and cooling them at ... A: If the baked potatoes are left at room temperature over 4 hours then they must be destroyed and not ... | |
| Thawed Beef Gone bad? | 6/8/2011 |
| Q: I'm fairly certain I know the (logical answer) before I ask but please don't mistake me for mad for ... A: Who knows???? What we do know is when you leave frozen potentially hazardous foods (meat, poultry, ... | |
| Soup Made with Previously Cooked Meat | 6/7/2011 |
| Q: We cooked steak on Thursday. I made a soup out of the cooked steak on Saturday. How long is the ... A: If you were a restaurant, the maximum amount of time you would be allowed to keep the soup in the ... | |
| meat that has been thawed | 6/5/2011 |
| Q: How long can you keep meat that has been vacuum packed after thawing? A: Fresh whole meat (like steaks, chops and roasts) that has been thawed and then properly vacuum ... | |
| home canning broth | 6/4/2011 |
| Q: I was wondering if its safe to can chicken broth, and if so, is it ok to flavor it by boiling onions ... A: Yes, you can can chicken broth, but it must be done in a pressure canner (either weighted gauge or ... | |
| food safety after oven liner left in self clean cycle | 6/4/2011 |
| Q: I accidentally left my oven liner in the oven during the self-clean cycle. When I opened the oven, ... A: It is safe to use the oven and consume the food prepared in the oven. The residue will not emit ... | |
| Soup spoilage | 6/2/2011 |
| Q: I made a seafood chowder that does have some cream in it. It was finished, served and cooling by ... A: The recommendation is to not consume TCS foods (foods that require time or temperature control to ... | |
| sauerkraut | 5/29/2011 |
| Q: How long will an open jar of sauerkraut last in the fridge. A: If you read on sauerkraut manufacturer's websites, they recommend that an open jar be refrigerated ... | |
| Possible Contaminants in Opened Veggie Ragu | 5/29/2011 |
| Q: I nuked 4 servings each of approx. 2 to 3 tablespoons of leftover, refrigerated, Old World, ... A: What you saw on the jar lid was mold which is not uncommon in opened jars of tomato sauce held in ... | |
| Canned jam safety | 5/27/2011 |
| Q: We have come across some jams and preserves that were canned by my mother from as far back as 1995. ... A: For highest quality, it is recommended to store and use jams and jellies within 1 year of ... | |
| Potency of Yogurt | 5/27/2011 |
| Q: I bought this yogurt on May 19, 2011 (nine days ago), and it has an expiration date of June 21, ... A: According to the National Yogurt Association, refrigerated yogurts that are identified with the ... | |
| soup safety | 5/26/2011 |
| Q: I was away from home and purchased a quart of soup. The soup was hot and I left it in the car while ... A: The recommendation is that if a hot food is cooled down to 41 degrees within 6 hours of removing ... | |
| Cold steak | 5/23/2011 |
| Q: I woke up this morning and like normal I was hungry. I had some left over steak from the night ... A: As long as the left over steak was refrigerated within 2 hours of preparation last night, it should ... | |
| mold on pizza sauce lid | 5/22/2011 |
| Q: My boyfriend had some rice with a little sauce, and when he went back to have some more, he noticed ... A: Ingesting a small amount of mold normally does not cause any problems. He may have a slight upset ... | |
| Egg Safety | 5/22/2011 |
| Q: Someone gave us freshly laid eggs, and I didn't think to ask any information about them. Can you ... A: Eggs are candled to determine the condition of the air cell, yolk, and white. Candling detects ... | |
| JAM SAFETY | 5/19/2011 |
| Q: I have a business selling jams at farmer's markets and I made 26 jars of my special 5-berry jam ... A: Lemon juice is added to jams and jellies to ensure enough acid to make a gel and for flavoring. ... | |
| foods at room temperature | 5/16/2011 |
| Q: For medical reasons I have to eat and drink foods at or very near to room temperature. Are milk and ... A: Actually yogurt would be the safer of the 2 products since it has a lower pH. What this means is ... | |
| food consumption safety | 5/15/2011 |
| Q: I made baked ziti with ground beef and it has been in my fridge for a week...my husband has been ... A: The recommendation for consumers is to refrigerate and consume meat leftovers within 3-4 days. If ... | |
| prime rib | 5/13/2011 |
| Q: Carol Thank you for your help. I just bought a 7.5 lbs prime rib it still in the original seal ... A: For maximum quality, it is recommended that you freeze prime rib up to 12 months. It is okay to ... | |
| Cheese expiration | 5/13/2011 |
| Q: Can you tell me if those bags of shredded cheese really need to be used in 7 days after opening? The ... A: The recommendation to use the cheese within 7 days after opening is for highest quality and is not a ... | |
| Bell Pepper Pink Inside | 5/12/2011 |
| Q: I bought a green bell pepper that was beautiful from the outside but once I cut it open the flesh ... A: I'm going to forward your question to Dr. Elizabeth Wahle, a horticulture specialist in edible ... | |
| Making Canned Corned Beef commercially | 5/12/2011 |
| Q: I am thinking of making Canned Corned Beef Commercialy and wondering what equipments and perharps ... A: First, I would contact Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control and ... | |
| beef | 5/9/2011 |
| Q: How long can I marinate beef safely A: Raw whole muscle meat such as beef steak, can be marinated in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days -- the ... | |
| food safety | 5/9/2011 |
| Q: My refridgerater seems to be dying. The temp in my fridge over night was about 48 degrees. Is my ... A: The rule of thumb is that if food is held above 41 degrees more than 4 hours it should not be ... | |
| Home Made Yogurt | 5/8/2011 |
| Q: My yogurt maker (Salton) says that "I should add one (1) to two (2) heaping tablespoons of yogurt ... A: I don't really understand why you want to place more starter yogurt than the recipe manual says is ... | |
| soup left out | 5/8/2011 |
| Q: Last night I made a huge pot of vegetable beef soup and forgot to put it in the refrigerator. It had ... A: The recommendation is that foods that need time and/or temperature control for safety (TCS foods) ... | |
| Cake | 5/7/2011 |
| Q: We made a duncan hines chocolate butter recipe cake and substituted mayo for the butter - a ... A: Yes, a chocolate mayonnaise cake can be stored at room temperature. Amazingly, store-bought ... | |
| Oil based salad dressing | 4/26/2011 |
| Q: Do you need to rent a certified kitchen to produce a salad dressing for resale that does not contain ... A: In Illinois, all foods for sale to the public must be prepared in an inspected and certified ... | |
| Half and Half Opened Shelf Life | 4/26/2011 |
| Q: Not sure when I purchased a container of half and half; I really have no clue. The best by date was ... A: Just as the product states, for maximum freshness, half and half should be used within 5 days of ... | |
| Selling pretzels to the public | 4/25/2011 |
| Q: I wanted to start seeling some gourmet pretzels and was wanting to know how to start? A: I assume from your request that these are your own made pretzels that you are wanting to sell. If ... | |
| Tomato Sauce | 4/23/2011 |
| Q: My wife and I bought Bertolli Tomato Sauce in the jar from Publix but we left the sauce in our trunk ... A: I assume that the tomato sauce was purchased in the refrigerated section of the grocery store and ... | |
| storage for boiled eggs | 4/23/2011 |
| Q: We just dyed our Easter Eggs. How long can they be left out of the refrigerator, because you know ... A: The recommendation is to only leave hard cooked eggs out of refrigeration up to 2 hours. If they ... | |
| Frozen Rolls | 4/22/2011 |
| Q: I bought 2 packages of frozen heat and serve yeast rolls and forgot to put them in the freezer. They ... A: Yeast rolls are not a potentially hazardous food (does not easily support the growth of bacteria) ... | |
| baked potatoes | 4/21/2011 |
| Q: how do you suggest on how to cook around 150 bake potatoes with-out using foil? A: I would suggest you you follow Alton Brown's (Good Eats show on the Food Network) recipe for how to ... | |
| Question on new report meat | 4/20/2011 |
| Q: I read a report today: ... A: The good thing about listeria in raw chicken is that it is destroyed in cooking. Making sure that ... | |
| Question on new report meat | 4/20/2011 |
| Q: I read a report today: ... A: Listeria could be present on any food if it is placed there by cross contamination. Chances are it ... | |
| Ham - Safe to Cook/Eat? | 4/18/2011 |
| Q: "I have a spiral sliced ham that was purchaed and delivered to me on January 28; it has been ... A: That's a good question as to whether your ham is still safe. Since the manufacturer has supplied a ... | |
| Egg beaters and pregnancy | 4/18/2011 |
| Q: Is it safe to use egg beaters in recipes that call for raw eggs such as caesar dressing during ... A: Yes, egg beaters and other liquid eggs in the supermarket are pasteurized and are free from any live ... | |
| Turkey left uncovered | 4/17/2011 |
| Q: I left my turkey uncovered in the fridge for close to 8 hours and I was wondering, is it still good ... A: I assume what you are saying is that you defrosted the turkey in the refrigerator, cleaned it in ... | |
| Lard | 4/16/2011 |
| Q: How many times can I re-use the same lard? Say 4 times, 5 times, etc. ? Sincerely, Angel A: Lard can be reused many, many times -- there's no magic number that it can be used before it should ... | |
| shelf life of dehydrated smoked sausage | 4/7/2011 |
| Q: I'm trying to experiment with my food dehydrator and long-term food storage. If I dehydrate cooked ... A: The only home preserved meat item that is currently recommended is jerky -- whether made from whole ... | |
| Green pork | 4/7/2011 |
| Q: We had some pork spare ribs purchased 'fresh' ie not frozen from major supmkt chain. Was covered in ... A: Green ribs...sounds like something out of Dr. Seuss! Normally a coloration change on the surface of ... | |
| Live and active cultures/homemade yogurt | 4/6/2011 |
| Q: If you use a commercial made yogurt (Dannon, etc.) as your starter and that starter yogurt has 4 to ... A: Freezing does not kill bacteria so I would think that any bacteria present prior to freezing would ... | |
| Live and active cultures/homemade yogurt | 4/6/2011 |
| Q: If you use a commercial made yogurt (Dannon, etc.) as your starter and that starter yogurt has 4 to ... A: Yes -- what ever live and active cultures are present in the starter will be transferred to the ... | |
| vegetable | 4/6/2011 |
| Q: 1.what is the best way to sanitize cabbage, is it before cutting or after cutting.also tell me the ... A: First...you don't sanitize vegetables -- you clean them. You sanitize utensils, work surfaces, etc ... | |
| MOLD ON TAMALE HUSKS | 4/4/2011 |
| Q: I bought a dozen tamales today from a lady selling them door to door. It was my first time, and it ... A: Since both you and your son ate the tamales and only you are experiencing any symptoms, chances are ... | |
| Bread Mold | 3/26/2011 |
| Q: Are there different types of mold that are attracted to certain foods? I have moldy bread that has ... A: Sounds like you've got a very colorful piece of bread! There are more than 300,000 different types, ... | |
| Unrefrigerated homemade yogurt | 3/19/2011 |
| Q: I made yogurt yesterday and when it was finished last night I took it out of the yogurt maker, but ... A: Because yogurt has a pH of 4.6, it is technically not a potentially hazardous food -- a food that ... | |
| Food safety - Cake Icings and Fillings | 3/18/2011 |
| Q: Carol! Recently, I started cake decorating for family and friends, and I have several questions ... A: I'm not a cake expert but will try to answer your questions as far as food safety. May answers are ... | |
| vacuum sealed corned beef brisket | 3/17/2011 |
| Q: I have stored a refrigerated vacuum sealed corned beef brisket in my refrigerator for two weeks. ... A: Yes, you can store the vacuum sealed corned beef up to the "sell-by" date in your refrigerator and ... | |
| Freezing Commercial Dill Pickles | 3/16/2011 |
| Q: I have been given a large jar of jumbo whole dill pickles and asked to give the brine back to the ... A: While it sounds plausible to concoct a brine solution and freeze the pickles, I am very doubtful ... | |
| Freezing Commercial Dill Pickles | 3/16/2011 |
| Q: I have been given a large jar of jumbo whole dill pickles and asked to give the brine back to the ... A: Normally, freezing processed pickles results in a mushy pickle that is not very appetizing. However, ... | |
| ham | 3/12/2011 |
| Q: I bought a fully cooked ham yesterday, for got it in the back of my Explorer for 24 hours. ... A: Unfortunately, we don't have any way of testing at home foods that have been "temperature abused" to ... | |
| craft sticks | 3/12/2011 |
| Q: I noticed in a related answer that you stated craft sticks were safe for making popsicles. I have ... A: Any food grade item (plastic fork, lollipop stick, popsicle sticks, etc) is safe to use as a handle ... | |
| Chilli safety | 3/2/2011 |
| Q: We made chilli wth beans in the crock pot. We turned it off at about 8:30PM. We forgot to put it ... A: The general recommendation for consumers is that any potentially hazardous food (a food capable of ... | |
| baked-in insect in Pop-tart | 3/1/2011 |
| Q: After my kid found a baked-in insect on the bottom of the Pop-tart, I contacted Kellogg company and ... A: Did you send this photo to Kellogg's? I'm sure they would be interested in seeing this photo. In ... | |
| Tyson Frozen Chicken | 2/28/2011 |
| Q: We pulled a bag of Tyson frozen chicken strips out of the freezer. They come already fully cooked, ... A: I called Tyson Customer Service to inquire as to this problem and they indicated that they would be ... | |
| leaving meat left out | 2/27/2011 |
| Q: should meat be laft out once it has been defrosted? such as hamburger, chicken, pork, A: Are you asking is it safe for defrosted meat to be left out at room temperature? And if so for how ... | |
| Possible spoiling of fresh chicken | 2/27/2011 |
| Q: If fresh chicken tenders are left without refrigeration for 2-3 hours (room temperature about 68), ... A: The general rule of thumb is if foods that require refrigeration in order to remain safe are out of ... | |
| Chocolate Saftey Issues | 2/26/2011 |
| Q: I am studying culinary and taking a sanitation class this semester. For a project, we are to think ... A: As I normally do not answer homework-type questions, I will not give you the answer but will give ... | |
| Meat loaf left out overnight | 2/23/2011 |
| Q: I left meat loaf sit on the cabinet overnight. Do I need to throw it away? It was made with ham, ... A: If you want to be 100% sure that you won't get ill, then you should pitch the meatloaf. The ... | |
| Fully cooked ham | 2/21/2011 |
| Q: I have a Giant fully cooked smoked butt ham. Bought it on Dec 23, 2010 and it is dated to use by Feb ... A: What I think you are referring to as the "goopy slime" is probably collagen that has gelatinized ... | |
| defrosting a roast | 2/19/2011 |
| Q: Mistakenly left a frozen vacuum packed seasoned roast beef to defrost on the kitchen counter for ... A: That's a good question. I assume the meat was fully defrosted when you found it...correct? If so, ... | |
| Pork preparation | 2/19/2011 |
| Q: Is trichinosis still a major concern,in the preparation of pork? If this is still true ,to what ... A: No...trichinosis is not a major concern in the US pork supply today. It is very rare and ... | |
| Boiling things after being left out! | 2/18/2011 |
| Q: I made up a great sausage spaghetti sauce... AND accidentally left it out over night... Well, why ... A: Boiling water for purification is practiced because the type of bacteria normally associated with ... | |
| Boiling things after being left out! | 2/18/2011 |
| Q: I made up a great sausage spaghetti sauce... AND accidentally left it out over night... Well, why ... A: While you would think that boiling food would make it 100% safe, it's not always the case. ... | |
| Fermented organic juice | 2/16/2011 |
| Q: I purchased a pure cranberry juice 6 months ago. I opened the bottle but do not keep it ... A: Yes, it is true that juices that do not contain any preservatives such as pure cranberry juice, can ... | |
| Pulled pork BBQ safety | 2/14/2011 |
| Q: How long canned cooked pork BBQ stay at room temperature? A: I assume you mean an open can of pork BBQ-- right? If so, the general recommendation for consumers ... | |
| re freezing soups | 2/7/2011 |
| Q: can homemade lentil soup be freezed for a second time A: Yes, if food is handled properly it can be frozen, defrosted, heated, cooled and refrozen - over and ... | |
| frozen beef left in water | 2/4/2011 |
| Q: I took a steak out of the freezer before leaving the house at 9am. I submerged it in a bowl of cold ... A: Without testing the steak to see if it is still safe after being temperature abused all day, it's ... | |
| Pink turkey luncheon meat | 2/1/2011 |
| Q: My husband recently brought home a package of Butterball oven-roasted turkey luncheon meat that ... A: While it is discerning to see pink turkey, it is entirely possible for roasted turkey to range in ... | |
| canning enchilada sauce | 1/30/2011 |
| Q: Hello I am trying to figure out how to safely can my enchilada sauce which has broth and flour for ... A: Unfortunately, I do not have a research and tested enchilada sauce recipe that includes flour for ... | |
| sausages | 1/30/2011 |
| Q: I've had sausages frozen for approx. 9 months and am wondering if they are still alright to eat? A: Yes, if the sausages were continually frozen for the 9 months, they are safe to defrost and consume. ... | |
| Thawed frozen mangoes | 1/21/2011 |
| Q: The freezer door was left slightly ajar and my whole seasons supply of diced fresh mangoes thawed ... A: As long as there were ice crystals in mangoes they are safe to refreeze. Ice crystals indicates that ... | |
| opening a homemade food business | 1/19/2011 |
| Q: First i would like to thank you for sharing your precious expertise with us. In your article ... A: Unfortunately, the Nassau County Health Department does not allow a homebased food business. See ... | |
| cooked eggs & samonella regrowth | 1/17/2011 |
| Q: Please tell me if it is safe to leave cooked eggs or food with eggs at room temperature after they ... A: Yes, you are correct that all cooked meats, carbohydrates (pasta, cooked vegetables, rice, etc) must ... | |
| cooked eggs & samonella regrowth | 1/17/2011 |
| Q: Please tell me if it is safe to leave cooked eggs or food with eggs at room temperature after they ... A: It is not safe to leave hard cooked eggs at room temperature. As they are a protein source and have ... | |
| Storage of seafood | 1/15/2011 |
| Q: I was wondering how long it is safe to keep seafood in the refridgerator before freezing it. We ... A: Wow -- to have the opportunity to catch squid and fresh fish at your holiday house must be ... | |
| storing cut onions | 1/14/2011 |
| Q: Recently I was told that any unused portion of a cut onion should be thrown away rather than stored ... A: The idea that cut onions attract bacteria is a rumor that has been going around the internet for ... | |
| sauerkraut | 1/13/2011 |
| Q: I made sauerkraut last fall from some cabbage i had grown. I followed a recipe given me by a cousin. ... A: While there are recipes for making sauerkraut in a jar, they normally call for more salt than just 1 ... | |
| ham healthy | 1/11/2011 |
| Q: How long is a cooked ham good for? A: The general recommendation for refrigerator storage of cooked ham is 5-7 days. If you can not use it ... | |
| Celiac and long term storage grains | 1/7/2011 |
| Q: Previously stored wheat products for long term. Found out was Celiac. Had to give away storage ... A: Sorry for the delay and replying to your question. The Celiac Sprue Association has a page on their ... | |
| frozen ham | 1/3/2011 |
| Q: My freezer came unplugged and my frozen fully cooked ham has thawed out can i refreeze it or do i ... A: If the ham completely defrosted with no ice crystals present, the recommendation is to pitch the ... | |
| Leftovers, handling seafood | 1/2/2011 |
| Q: -Is it safe to make sushi or rice wrap rolls/summer rolls and refrigerate it overnight(s)? is it ... A: Answers to your questions: 1. It depends upon the ingredients in your sushi. If fresh, uncooked ... | |
| Consuming product after expiration | 1/2/2011 |
| Q: I have un-opened cheddar or swiss cheese (Kraft brand) slices 3-6 months after the expiration date. ... A: I would defrost the frozen foods and exam each one when defrosted for changes in color, texture and ... | |
| Pre cooked Bacon | 1/1/2011 |
| Q: How long can I keep my Kirkland precooked bacon in the refrigerator. It has been opened and we've ... A: In researching manufacturer's of shelf stable bacon, the general recommendation is to refrigerate ... | |
| Frozen Sauerkraut Balls | 1/1/2011 |
| Q: I have had several boxes of frozen sauerkraut balls made by "Bunny B" in my feezer. How long are ... A: Frozen foods, if kept continually frozen are safe to consume for years. The quality of frozen foods ... | |
| Fully Cooked Spiral Sliced Ham in Cryovac | 12/31/2010 |
| Q: We received this on December 17th as a Christmas gift from work. It is a Cooks brand ham, and the ... A: The type of bacteria that cause us harm are not detectable by smell, taste or sight, so it is always ... | |
| Fully Cooked Spiral Sliced Ham in Cryovac | 12/31/2010 |
| Q: We received this on December 17th as a Christmas gift from work. It is a Cooks brand ham, and the ... A: I checked out the Cooks Ham website and could not find a reference to decoding their label code. ... | |
| PreCooked ham | 12/30/2010 |
| Q: In Dec 2010 I bought a precooked spiral ham that had an expiration date of Feb 2011. It was not ... A: If you purchased the ham from the refrigerated section with a date of February 2011, then the ham is ... | |
| Reheating chocolate sauce | 12/30/2010 |
| Q: Me and my husband always reheat the entire jar of chocolate sauce in the microwave when putting it ... A: Does the jar have any indication on how it should be stored after opening? Most chocolate sauces ... | |
| Carton Sirloin Beef Broth | 12/29/2010 |
| Q: I would like to find out how long after an expiration date of an unopened carton of sirloin beef ... A: The date printed on most foods are really a "best if used by" date, not an expiration date. ... | |
| Pork stew | 12/28/2010 |
| Q: I left a cooked stew which had as ingredients: pork cubes, canned tomatoes, potatoes and carrots, on ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation for foods that require either heat or cold to remain safe, is that ... | |
| ld fashioned chocolate pie filling | 12/28/2010 |
| Q: My daughter is making baskets of goodies to be passed out at a venue and I want to add mini ... A: I assume your granmother's recipe contains milk and eggs as ingredients -- correct? If so, once ... | |
| Prime Rib leftovers | 12/27/2010 |
| Q: We had cooked prime rib in a ziplock bag that was accidentally left out overnight. We immediately ... A: The general recommendation for all foods that should be either kept hot or cold in order to remain ... | |
| container re-use | 12/27/2010 |
| Q: Is it truly safe to use AIR-TIGHT plastic food containers for storage of fresh or cooked foods (in ... A: Botulism does not grow in frozen food. Air that is in a plastic container does not slowly change ... | |
| Food for sale for commercial use | 12/26/2010 |
| Q: I want to know if you can catch your own fresh water fish and sell it in your restaurant? I live in ... A: This question should be posed to your local health department as they would be the ones who ... | |
| FREEZING MEAT | 12/26/2010 |
| Q: HOW LONG IS IT OK TO FREEZE MEAT; IE; PRIME RIB ROAST, STEAKS, IN FREEZER ZIP LOCK BAGS FOR ?, ... A: As long as meat is continually frozen it is safe to consume for many, many years. It may not taste ... | |
| container re-use | 12/25/2010 |
| Q: Is it truly safe to use AIR-TIGHT plastic food containers for storage of fresh or cooked foods (in ... A: You need not be concerned about botulism in air-tight plastic food containers in either the ... | |
| Canned goods | 12/24/2010 |
| Q: Can I use canned goods that may have become frozen while they were in my garage? A: Yes, it is possible to use canned goods that have been frozen. If the seal is intact, the food is ... | |
| Defrosted meatballs/sauce | 12/23/2010 |
| Q: I just defrosted a tray of 45 cooked meatballs with sauce that was frozen fresh on June 28th. How ... A: The general recommendation for defrosted cooked meats are they can be safely refrigerated 3-4 days. ... | |
| Lasagna | 12/20/2010 |
| Q: I would love to make my lasagna early but not freeze it. How many days before can I make it and keep ... A: From a safety standpoint, you could make the lasagna and refrigerate 2-3 days. However, I don't ... | |
| freezing soup in aluminum pot | 12/20/2010 |
| Q: I made a large pot of turkey noodle soup in an aluminum pot. I had no room in the fridge so I put it ... A: First, it depends on what type of aluminum pot you have. If it is anodized aluminum there would not ... | |
| organic chicken | 12/19/2010 |
| Q: I purchased organic boneless chicken breasts and put in refrigerator. I was going to cook them and ... A: I assume since you are writing me on the 19th that you mean that the chicken had a sell by date of ... | |
| prime rib | 12/18/2010 |
| Q: how long can uncooked prime rib be left in the fridge A: Prime rib or any whole muscle beef product can be refrigerated after purchase for 3-4 days past its ... | |
| frozen meatballs left out | 12/18/2010 |
| Q: I came home from the store with a pk of 70 frozen meatballs left them out didn't remember to put the ... A: The general rule of thumb is that any food that should be kept either hot or cold, should not be ... | |
| ham | 12/16/2010 |
| Q: how long can a ham be in the freezer and still be good A: A frozen ham is safe to consume for many years as long as the ham has remained completely frozen for ... | |
| is refrigeration needed | 12/16/2010 |
| Q: My wife asked me if refrigeration would be needed for a filling in a cookie recipe she has. The ... A: You are right that the water activity would be lowered in the filling but without testing to see if ... | |
| leftovers from restaurant | 12/15/2010 |
| Q: I went to a dim sum restaurant with a friend and afterwards we went shopping. I had the leftovers ... A: The general rule of thumb, for consumers, is that food that is in the "Danger Zone - 40 to 135 ... | |
| DEEP FRYER OIL RE-USE---THANK YOU | 12/15/2010 |
| Q: My friend has a deep fryer he uses infrequently. He made Cider Donuts and left the oil ... A: Oil does not have to be refrigerated between uses in order to remain safe. In restaurants, oil in ... | |
| cooking oil storage | 12/13/2010 |
| Q: How long can oil be stored in a small deep fryer. I only used it once about 6 months ago. A: It depends upon the temperature of the storage location and the amount of light that it is subject ... | |
| I at 5 month expired Peanut Butter and I'm pregnant | 12/13/2010 |
| Q: I'm hoping you can help me. Last week, I ate a couple of peanut butter and jam sandwiches. This ... A: The date on the jar is a quality date -- not a safety date. In other words, the manufacturer has ... | |
| smoked sausage | 12/10/2010 |
| Q: i make smoked sausage and then vacuum seal it. my question is how long will the smoked sausage last ... A: Unless the smoked sausage is fully cooked and dehydrated (jerkey), there is no safe way to ship the ... | |
| canning salsa | 12/9/2010 |
| Q: I have been canning for 20 years or more. I have never had a problem with the salsa I process. It is ... A: Are you saying you put no acid (lemon juice or vinegar) in your salsa and you can it without cooking ... | |
| Cake & muffin mixes & soda | 12/8/2010 |
| Q: This is probably a dumb question - I have a Duncan Hines Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffin mix that I ... A: While it is possible for mold spores to grow in pancake, cake and other bakery mixes, it is quite ... | |
| storing raw garlic | 12/5/2010 |
| Q: how long will peeled raw garlic last and should i keep it in the frige A: One way to keep peeled fresh garlic is to freeze it. Simply place the peeled raw garlic, either ... | |
| canned green beans and corn | 12/5/2010 |
| Q: we host a dinner each month and when we have leftover cooked beans and corn,eci6y can it be frozen ... A: The leftovers can be frozen but I wouldn't recommend freezing them in open cans. I would transfer ... | |
| Did my canned Hummus go bad? | 12/3/2010 |
| Q: I had a can of Yehuda hummus in my pantry. It had been there several months. I decided to eat it ... A: A metallic taste indicates that the hummus reacted with the interior metal of the can and not that ... | |
| expire | 12/2/2010 |
| Q: I was laid off so every dollar spent is extremely critical. I love the queso salsa that they sell ... A: The date on the jars is not an expiration date but a "best if used by" date. Manufacturers place ... | |
| sauerkraut | 11/30/2010 |
| Q: I know sauerkraut can be left out overnight, but mine has pork, carrots and potatoes in it. I know ... A: Diane, Not necessarily. While boiling would kill any live bacteria that might have grown during ... | |
| chinese food leftovers | 11/28/2010 |
| Q: I had steamed bean curd with vegetables from a Chinese restaurant for dinner. I accidentally left ... A: The general recommendation for all foods capable of supporting the growth of harmful bacteria (meat, ... | |
| Spiral Smoked Ham--Ridge Creek | 11/28/2010 |
| Q: My husband was given a ham from Sams. When he received it, it had been brought by an associate and ... A: I'm going to call Sam's tomorrow morning and ask them your question since this is the second such ... | |
| Pumpkin Pie | 11/27/2010 |
| Q: May I freeze a whole baked pumpkin pie in a glass dish and for how long? A: It is perfectly safe to freeze a baked pumpkin pie in a glass pie plate. You may notice that the ... | |
| Length of time to leave cooked pie out of the refrigerator. | 11/26/2010 |
| Q: After removing pies (pumpkin and pecan) from the oven, how long can they stay out before they are ... A: For maximum safety, pumpkin pie should be refrigerated 2 hours after coming out of the oven. Because ... | |
| Yams | 11/25/2010 |
| Q: I left a pot of cooked yams on the counter over night can I still use them for candied yams or ... A: You should start over since cooked vegetables left at room temperature are considered a potentially ... | |
| slow cooking turkeys | 11/25/2010 |
| Q: At what temperature and how long do you "slow cook" a turkey Overnight? A: While recipes can be found on the internet for cooking a turkey overnight in low temperature oven, ... | |
| frozen vegetables | 11/24/2010 |
| Q: Our garden produce froze in the garage before we had a chance to bring them inside. We had beets, ... A: Yes, the vegetables are edible but I have a feeling they probably were not cleaned and ready for ... | |
| Three Compartment Sink | 11/24/2010 |
| Q: I have spoken to our County Health Dept. about a home-based licensed kitchen. I was informed that I ... A: Many health departments are becoming more stringent on their requirements for having a commercial ... | |
| unrefriderated squash | 11/23/2010 |
| Q: I baked some blue hubbard squash, turned off the oven and forgot it over night. Is it still good? ... A: The recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods (phf foods --foods capable of ... | |
| Cooked Bacon | 11/23/2010 |
| Q: If a pan of cooked bacon was left out all night, can it be used the next day? A: The recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods (phf foods --foods capable of ... | |
| bacon left at room temperature | 11/22/2010 |
| Q: I bought three packages of bacon at the store and was going to freeze them but instead I left them ... A: Without testing, there is no way of knowing if the bacon which sat out at a temperature perfect for ... | |
| frozen hamburger | 11/20/2010 |
| Q: Can I safely eat hamburger purchased and frozen May 3, 2010. How long can frozen hamburger still be ... A: Yes, you can safely consume continuously frozen hamburger that was frozen in May of this year. ... | |
| raw meat shelf in fridge | 11/19/2010 |
| Q: I was trying to clean the shelf in our fridge that we put raw meat on. We had some raw bacon wrapped ... A: First, a 10% bleach solution is way to strong and I'm not surprised you are getting a "bleach" ... | |
| food safety -- two questions | 11/17/2010 |
| Q: Question 1: I left raw bacon in the fridge from the butcher for about 5 days. I put it in a ziploc ... A: I would simply clean the area with detergent and water and then use either a commercially prepared ... | |
| how to sell food online questions. | 11/16/2010 |
| Q: How do you package Perishable & Delicate foods for online sale? What licenses do you need to sell ... A: 1. You will need to investigate packaging from your products with a professional shipper such as ... | |
| food safety -- two questions | 11/15/2010 |
| Q: Question 1: I left raw bacon in the fridge from the butcher for about 5 days. I put it in a ziploc ... A: 1. Raw bacon is fine in the refrigerator up to 7 days. Storing in a plastic bag is fine and unless ... | |
| Canned Chicken 8 months out of date | 11/15/2010 |
| Q: Today, while cleaning out a cupboard, my husband found a 50 oz can of Member's Mark chicken that is ... A: The "use by date" is a quality date established by the manufacturer that if you use the product by ... | |
| frozen trout 6 yrs | 11/9/2010 |
| Q: do you think it would be safe to fry and eat trout that was frozen for 6 yrs? A: As long as the trout was continually frozen, it is safe to cook and eat. The real question is "will ... | |
| food spoilage | 11/7/2010 |
| Q: My husband left an opened jar of apricot jam in his hot truck for many hours. Because the jar was ... A: Jam is not a item that supports the growth of harmful bacteria because of its high sugar and low ... | |
| refreezing | 11/6/2010 |
| Q: My coworker's kids sold prepared cookie dough as a school fundraiser. It is supposed to stay frozen ... A: It depends on what kind of eggs the manufacturer used in making the cookie dough. If they are ... | |
| Left frozen meat out over night | 11/4/2010 |
| Q: I left a frozen pork roast out overnight on the counter for 7 hrs. Can we still use this? It still ... A: The general recommendation is to not cook meat that has been defrosted overnight at room ... | |
| heating commercial meat products | 11/3/2010 |
| Q: I would like to know what the proper time frame is for heating a cooked commercial pork product. I ... A: First, it is improper to reheat foods in a commercial operation in a hot-holding piece of equipment ... | |
| Jars of Olives | 11/2/2010 |
| Q: I just read the Q&A from Lynn/you about no "Popping" sound when she first opened her jar of olives. ... A: You have raised an interesting question. I think you should pose your question to some of the olive ... | |
| safe storage | 11/1/2010 |
| Q: is it safe to storage cooked soup in the same aluminum pot its been cooked? A: It's safe but not recommended. Here's why... Normally, the pot which you prepare the soup remains ... | |
| Homemade beef stock | 10/31/2010 |
| Q: I made beef stock yesterday from scratch using soup bones, vegetables and fresh herbs. It was too ... A: The general recommendation to consumers for foods that are considered potentially hazardous (meat, ... | |
| food spoilage | 10/29/2010 |
| Q: I made a batch of applesauce last evening and left it cooling on the stove. I forgot to refrigerate ... A: Yes, applesauce does not have to be refrigerated to remain safe to consume, but refrigeration does ... | |
| Marinade | 10/29/2010 |
| Q: When I opened a jar of marinade I didn't hear pop up sound, but the jar was sealed properly (plastic ... A: Many commercially processed bottles of marinade do not give the characteristic "pop" when the seal ... | |
| frozen fruit juices | 10/28/2010 |
| Q: When I take my frozen fruit juice from the freezer to make in a pitcher it is usually mostly ... A: Frozen fruit juice concentrates are suppose to be frozen in a home freezer. Because of their liquid ... | |
| Black substance on outside of crock | 10/23/2010 |
| Q: I have an earthenware crock, the kind you use to pickle sauerkraut or pickles that is glazed on the ... A: I've never heard of black mold and/or yeast growing on the outside of a crock so I posed the ... | |
| canned/tinned food | 10/23/2010 |
| Q: I am currently living in australia and my housemate opens a tin/can (I dont know the difference) of ... A: While it is not recommended, it is safe to refrigerate food in its original can or container. Cans ... | |
| Pork chops | 10/21/2010 |
| Q: I accidentally left pork chops marinating in a soy sauce-based marinade on my counter overnight. The ... A: The general recommendation for all meats left out at room temperature overnight (raw or cooked) is ... | |
| Chicken | 10/19/2010 |
| Q: My husband thawed some chicken out on the counter yesterday (which I know you're never supposed to ... A: As you are well aware, it is not recommended to defrost chicken on the kitchen counter because of ... | |
| timing | 10/18/2010 |
| Q: Normally I cook a quice (standard 9" pie pan) 425degrees for 15 minutes and then reduce it to ... A: I would follow the original directions for preparing 1 quiche with the temperature/time variations. ... | |
| Cooking chicken | 10/16/2010 |
| Q: I cooked 2 chicken thighs with bone for an hour and then put them in the fridge to eat for lunch. ... A: It is not recommended to partially cook meat and then freeze, especially ground meat which is more ... | |
| Frosting safety | 10/16/2010 |
| Q: I have a few questions about which types of homemade cake frostings/glazes/fillings are safe to ... A: A great website with answers to some of your questions is Baking 911. This page on that website has ... | |
| Cooking chicken | 10/16/2010 |
| Q: I cooked 2 chicken thighs with bone for an hour and then put them in the fridge to eat for lunch. ... A: If the chicken thighs were cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F then they are ... | |
| Pork sell by date | 10/15/2010 |
| Q: Here is my problem. I bought a twin pack of pork butts from Sam's in a cryovac package. I bought ... A: The general rule of thumb is meat that has been thawed in the refrigerator needs to be cooked or ... | |
| cooked roast left out | 10/12/2010 |
| Q: I had a hot cooked roast in a tomato base sauce in a crock-pot. I was going to put it in the ... A: Since your roast was off the heat source for 9 1/2 hours, the recommendation is to not take a chance ... | |
| jar spaghetti sauce | 10/12/2010 |
| Q: I used half a jar of spaghetti sauce over a week ago and put it in the fridge then used the ... A: By going "bad" I assume you mean could it now be the source of food borne illness containing ... | |
| cooking packaging on roast beef | 10/11/2010 |
| Q: I accidently left the plastic absorbent packaging under a roast that I cooked in the crock pot. ... A: While the plastic absorbent pad is not designed to be cooked with the meat, if it accidentally does ... | |
| crock pickles brining | 10/9/2010 |
| Q: My pickles in a standard brine are developing a reddish bloom along with theexpected white scum... ... A: Yes, I spoke to Dr. Andress while at a meeting a couple of weeks ago and she said that it had to be ... | |
| pumpkin pie | 10/9/2010 |
| Q: do you need to refrigerate pumpkin pies A: It is recommended to refrigerate pumpkin pies due to their soft, custard consitency and because of ... | |
| refreezing chicken | 10/8/2010 |
| Q: I defrosted 4 large skinless boneless chicken breasts. I found i didn't need all four so I put two ... A: Yes, it is safe to freeze/thaw and then refreeze foods as long as the original thaw was done in the ... | |
| cupcake business from home | 10/7/2010 |
| Q: I live in Algonquin, IL and I want to start a cupcake catering business from my home. I know I need ... A: Your first call should be to your county health department and ask to speak to the environmental ... | |
| Home candy business | 10/4/2010 |
| Q: Several of my acquaintances would like to purchase my home made candy to give out as customer gifts ... A: Unfortunately, Illinois is not one of the states that allows you to use your home kitchen to prepare ... | |
| grape jelly | 10/3/2010 |
| Q: While cooking jelly almost one-third became foam. How do you prevent so much foam and waste. A: Foam is caused by trapped air bubbles formed in the jelly while it is being cooked. Foaming occurs ... | |
| Home candy business | 10/2/2010 |
| Q: Several of my acquaintances would like to purchase my home made candy to give out as customer gifts ... A: It depends upon which state you live in as to whether you state health department will allow you to ... | |
| Homemade Chicken Broth | 9/30/2010 |
| Q: I made homemade chicken broth which I froze. Now I am making a large soup and have added the frozen ... A: Yes, it is safe to refreeze previously frozen foods as long as the food was handled properly. By ... | |
| bubbling food | 9/29/2010 |
| Q: I made a pot of home made dog food the other day, I left it out over night and the next day I ... A: Bubbling is an indicator of the presence of yeast. As yeast grows it produces carbon dioxide bubbles ... | |
| Safe Plastic | 9/27/2010 |
| Q: I have a water bottle that is made of hard plastic that I use for water when I go to the gym. From ... A: Because BPA (Bisphenol A) is a synthetic estrogen found in many household products, Dr. Oz ... | |
| Starting a Gourmet Frozen Pizza business from my home?? | 9/26/2010 |
| Q: I have many years of successfully making great, delicous pizzas. Now I want to sell them. I have ... A: Congratulations on wanting to start a new food business in Illinois. You will have a lot of hard ... | |
| salmonella in baked goods | 9/26/2010 |
| Q: Made my holiday fruit cakes, brandied, wrapped and refrigerated...then egg recall happened. If ... A: Salmonella enteritidis is destroyed by heat and if your fruit cake's internal temperature was at ... | |
| meat contamination | 9/25/2010 |
| Q: can natural spices like ginger,onion,garlic prevent microbial contamination of meat A: There has been some research on the effects of spices on the growth inhibition of gram positive and ... | |
| Sending cheese to Africa | 9/15/2010 |
| Q: Hey there, I have a friend who joined the Peace Corps and is stationed in Mali in Africa, and she ... A: It is possible to send cheese oversease, but first you need to check to see if there are any ... | |
| food preservation | 9/14/2010 |
| Q: I have a person who wants to leave the skins on her Roma tomatoes. She is putting them through a ... A: It is not unsafe to can tomatoes with their skin left on -- just not a very high quality product. ... | |
| Wild Hog Meat | 9/14/2010 |
| Q: Have you ever heard that you're not supposed to eat wild hog meat if you kill the hog during the hot ... A: For many years, hogs were only slaughtered in the fall or early winter because the cold outside ... | |
| refreeze cooked brisket | 9/13/2010 |
| Q: I cooked fresh brisket, froze it , reheated it and then swerved it. I put the leftovers back in the ... A: Handled properly implies that the meat was purchased and refrigerated below 41 degrees. When ... | |
| beef | 9/11/2010 |
| Q: I left cryovaced steaks out overnight in air-conditioned house. Are they safe to eat? A: This is a good question. One would think that the cryovac packaging would somehow keep the meat ... | |
| Fly in soup | 9/10/2010 |
| Q: My mother made me a huge pot of chicken noodle soup and brought it to my house in a tupperware ... A: Freezing does not kill bacteria but puts them in an almost suspended animation. Once the soup is ... | |
| Chicken Safety | 9/9/2010 |
| Q: I prepared a chicken & vegetable meal for my slow cooker yesterday. I realised some 5 hours after ... A: Unfortunately, poultry is one of the most bacterial laden foods and therefore must be handled ... | |
| frozen applesauce from 2004 | 9/8/2010 |
| Q: I recently removed it from freezer to thaw in refrigerator. Opened it this evening, started to eat, ... A: I have no idea what would have caused the bubbles in your applesauce. Foods that are frozen for a ... | |
| smoked Pork Tenderloin | 9/8/2010 |
| Q: My husband had smoked two pork tenderloins on his outdoor smoker and one was for a party, and one ... A: Unfortunately there is no way of telling if the smoked tenderloin left at room temperature all night ... | |
| Opened Alfredo Sauce non-refrigerated | 9/6/2010 |
| Q: I forgot to refrigerate some jarred alfredo sauce after opening a day ago. Is it still ok to eat? A: Unfortunately, without laboratory analysis, it is impossible to tell if the sauce is still safe to ... | |
| home made chicken soup | 9/6/2010 |
| Q: how long can home made chicken soup be frozen and still be safe to eat? I usually make a 10 or 16 ... A: Food that is continuously frozen for years is safe to consume. Your real question is how long is it ... | |
| jarring tomato sauce & green beans | 9/4/2010 |
| Q: Is it okay to skin tomatos an place in refrigerator 2 days before cooking and jarring pasta sauce? ... A: Yes, it is okay to have skinned tomatoes in the refrigerator for 2 days before canning. When you ... | |
| canning tomatos | 9/2/2010 |
| Q: I just canned a batch of whole tomatoes...they were skinned put in the jars and then filled w/ hot ... A: Loss of liquid during processing can be caused by a variety of reasons. If you processed the jars ... | |
| canned peaches | 9/1/2010 |
| Q: When I canned peach halves, I packed them in and added the syrup. After the water bath, all the ... A: The main cause of floating fruit is that you canned them raw as opposed to partially cooking before ... | |
| Canned Chicken Stock | 8/25/2010 |
| Q: I just opened 4 cans of College Inn Chicken Stock and two of them have black stuff on the top ... A: I am not familiar with a dark, oily residue inside a can of chicken stock and would advise not using ... | |
| freezing honey | 8/23/2010 |
| Q: Does freezing honey kill or deplete any enzymes? What are the possible dangers of consuming raw ... A: Freezing does not kill or deplete enzymes in honey. As in all foods, freezing slows down enzyme ... | |
| vacum sealed meat | 8/22/2010 |
| Q: I have vacuum sealed meat in my freezer for 4 years .is this meat safe to eat after all this time? ... A: Yes, the meat is safe as long as it was continually frozen in the freezer. The quality of frozen ... | |
| Fresh Tomato Sauce | 8/21/2010 |
| Q: I left a large pot of fresh tomato sauce(tomatoes, onion, garlic, bay leaf) out overnight. 60 to 70 ... A: Without lab analysis to determine if the sauce is still safe it is impossible to say whether the ... | |
| freezer broke | 8/21/2010 |
| Q: our freezer broke an I had cooked lobsters in their shells in a plastic bag. the lobsters thawed but ... A: The general recommendation for all foods -- cooked or raw -- in a freezer is that if there is still ... | |
| seafood fettuchini alfredo | 8/16/2010 |
| Q: I just made a whole pot( fettuchini, 3cups of milk about, peas,mushrooms, imitation crab, parmesan ... A: I know you hate wasting food...but I'm almost positive you'd hate to make yourself or your family ... | |
| commercial food safety | 8/15/2010 |
| Q: Can cooked food products (e.g., meatballs, sauces) be frozen and then vacuum packed for sale? A: Yes, it is possible to vacuum seal cooked, frozen meats and sauces. Because of the high moisture ... | |
| pork safety! | 8/15/2010 |
| Q: I went to a party yesterday whoich had a hog roast. The pork was sat out after being cooked for ... A: The general recommendation for all raw or cooked potentially hazardous foods (meat, dairy, poultry, ... | |
| Ala. home based baking | 8/13/2010 |
| Q: Do you know the requirements for a home based baking business in Ala.? I am very interested in ... A: Alabama does have a "cottage law" which allows individuals to bake in their own kitchen. You are ... | |
| meat safety | 8/13/2010 |
| Q: How long is refrigerated cooked pork roast good for? A: The general recommendation is to refrigerate cooked meat up to 3-4 days for maximum safety and ... | |
| crock pickles brining | 8/9/2010 |
| Q: My pickles in a standard brine are developing a reddish bloom along with theexpected white scum... ... A: I'm going to send your question to Dr. Elizabeth Andress at the University og Georgia for her ... | |
| Hormel Pre cooked bacon - Kirkland | 8/6/2010 |
| Q: I purchased a couple of packages of pre-cooked bacon and left them in the van for 4 hours, the ... A: Dr. Peter Snyder did a study on bacon including pre-cooked bacon ... | |
| frozen salmon past expiration date | 8/4/2010 |
| Q: i bought frozen salmon and the expiration is a little less than one month ago. it's frozen and has ... A: As long as the salmon has been continuously frozen it is safe to consume. Freezing fish and meats ... | |
| Expiration dates | 8/4/2010 |
| Q: I bought some boneless chicken breasts, froze them (they are still frozen) before the expiration ... A: Poultry needs to be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F. The length of time ... | |
| Forgot salt in Pickled Dilled Grean Bean Recipe | 8/1/2010 |
| Q: I have made a lot of jars of pickled dilled grean beans and forgot salt within the recipe. The ... A: Unfortunately, salt is a crucial ingredient when making pickles so I don't think you are going to ... | |
| cabbage | 7/31/2010 |
| Q: We realized about 24 hours after purchasing a head of cabbage we had neglected to put it in the ... A: Cabbage is still safe to use if not refrigerated after purchase for several days though it will ... | |
| Beef storage | 7/31/2010 |
| Q: What is the longest time you can safely store beef (rib roast) in a chest type freezer? A: Frozen meat can be stored safely in a freezer indefinitely. As long as it remains frozen it is safe ... | |
| Pork Shoulder | 7/30/2010 |
| Q: I bought a 22lb Pork Shoulder for a party and it was put on a outdoor cooker, it never got done and ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to no consume meat that has been partially cooked, frozen, and ... | |
| Leftover Cake | 7/29/2010 |
| Q: A sheet cake was served at a bridal shower party at work on July 27, 2010, from 3-4 pm. It is now ... A: As long as the cake's frosting was not made with butter, milk or eggs then it is safe to be at room ... | |
| homemade grape jelly + fermenting smell | 7/27/2010 |
| Q: My daughter froze whole, washed, stemmed grapes last fall. Today she took them out of the freezer ... A: It is not unsafe to make jelly out of grapes that are fermenting but it normally does not make a ... | |
| Power Outage | 7/26/2010 |
| Q: We lost power for roughly 15 hours. The fridge was never opened during that time frame or for ... A: An unopened refrigerator can hold temperature for about 2 hours. After that time, the temperature ... | |
| MICS. | 7/25/2010 |
| Q: 1.) Can you freeze bananas and use them frozen for frozen smoothies? 2.) Can you eat a whole orange, ... A: Answer to all 3 questions is "Yes". But most humans do not find the peels of bananas, oranges and ... | |
| Meatloaf and meatballs | 7/25/2010 |
| Q: I will be getting married in December 2010, it's a luncheon reception. Can I prepare meat loaves and ... A: Yes, you can make-ahead and freeze either pre-cooked are raw meat loaves and meat balls for your ... | |
| spoiled chicken? | 7/18/2010 |
| Q: We bbq'd chicken wings, put an italian dressing sauce on them and then left them out on the counter ... A: It is not recommended to consume potentially hazardous foods(foods such as poultry, meat, dairy, ... | |
| Plastic Kettle | 7/16/2010 |
| Q: My plastic kettle coil has become lusterless and it has a white rough layer on it, with the ... A: The white rough layer is caused by the minerals in your water adhering to the plastic and causing a ... | |
| safe catfish | 7/6/2010 |
| Q: I was givin catfish that was caught yesterday and left them in cooler filled w water overnight, ... A: You didn't mention but was the catfish alive in the cooler filled with water? If so, it could be ... | |
| Freezing Manicotti | 7/5/2010 |
| Q: I made WAY too much Manicotti for my family of three to eat in a year LOL...My question is can I ... A: Yes, you can freeze it after being baked but the quality of the product when reheated is not going ... | |
| hold time | 7/3/2010 |
| Q: What is the hold time for hot dogs being cooked in boiling water? A: Hot dogs should be heated to 165 degrees F (steaming hot) and then held at 135 degrees or above. As ... | |
| beef brisket | 6/30/2010 |
| Q: I have in my freezer a vacuumed packed beef brisket that is 10 years old. It has been frozen solid ... A: Yes, the brisket if continuously frozen is safe to consume. Frozen foods are safe to consume many ... | |
| expired ranch dressing | 6/23/2010 |
| Q: My 84 year old mother buys in bulk from dollar stores. She buys a lot of ranch dressing. Several ... A: Foods in bottle and cans that have been stored for years past their "best if used by" date can be ... | |
| honey | 6/20/2010 |
| Q: I have had my honey for quite a while and it has turned dark. Is this still good to use. In the ... A: According to the American Honey Producers, honey usually becomes darker as a result of storage. The ... | |
| 3 compartment sink set up | 6/19/2010 |
| Q: I have been in the restaurant biz for quite a few years and am very familiar with the proper set up ... A: Actually, the 2009 FDA Food Code does not specify the temperature of the rinse water in the 2nd ... | |
| homemade soup left out overnight | 6/17/2010 |
| Q: I inadvertently left a big pot of tomato soup out overnight.No animal fats, but olive oil,onions, ... A: The general recommendation for all foods that are capable of supporting the growth of harmful ... | |
| Safety of overripe bananas?? | 6/13/2010 |
| Q: Please settle an argument between me and my wife. I threw out some overripe bananas that she was ... A: It's hard to say that your wife is right, but in this case "Your wife is right!" Bananas that are ... | |
| Home based business in Illinois | 6/9/2010 |
| Q: I would like to start a home based business working with goat's milk. I would like to make goat ... A: First, if you are wanting to sell products that are consumable they must be made in an inspected, ... | |
| Salmon | 6/9/2010 |
| Q: I bought a package of salmon that has an expiration date of April 2010. It was put in the freezer ... A: The date on the package is a best if used by date, not an expiration date. It is a date that the ... | |
| Food spoilage | 6/6/2010 |
| Q: My husband left some fully cooked meatballs (hamburg & ground pork)on the counter for 2.5 days. He ... A: While an acid sauce (pH below 4.6) is an inhibitor for bacterial growth, meat has a pH above 4.6 and ... | |
| Potatoe Storage Question | 6/1/2010 |
| Q: I want to partially cook potatoes today and finish cooking them tomorrow. How can I store them? I ... A: It is not recommended to store cooked carbohydrates (vegetables, pasta, rice, etc) at room ... | |
| Un refrigerated Mac n Cheese | 6/1/2010 |
| Q: I left a Tupperware with mac n cheese in it out over night and was wondering if its good to eat if ... A: It is not recommended to consume cooked carbohydrates (vegetables, pasta, rice, etc) that has been ... | |
| frozen meat | 5/31/2010 |
| Q: found steaks that have been in the freezer since Aug '08. Are they still okay? How long is TOO ... A: As long as the steaks were continually frozen they are safe to consume. However, when frozen for a ... | |
| milk temperature safety | 5/28/2010 |
| Q: We bought milk at 10 pm, came home and left it on the counter until 7:20 a.m........airconditioned ... A: Unfortunately, without lab testing there is no way to know if the milk is still safe. All we do know ... | |
| vacuum packed brisket | 5/27/2010 |
| Q: I bought a vacuum packed brisket today (Wednesday) at 3:30 from a meat market. It was not frozen. ... A: Unfortunately, your brisket has been subject to the perfect temperature for any bacteria present to ... | |
| I accidentally left veggie burgers and veggie franks that were grilled out and forgot to put in the fridge lastnight. | 5/26/2010 |
| Q: I accidentally forgot to put the leftover veggie franks and veggie burgers that we barbecued ... A: Unfortunately, you have given foods capable of supporting the growth of harmful bacteria the perfect ... | |
| Forgot to Put Frozen Food in the Freezer | 5/24/2010 |
| Q: My friend asked me to put some food of hers in my refrigerator for a couple of days. Once she gave ... A: Refreezing fish that has completely defrosted in the refrigerator is not recommended. Freezing it ... | |
| Lental Soup | 5/19/2010 |
| Q: I reasently went to the food bank and was given a case of (Campbells Healthy Request, Healthy spiced ... A: The date on soups is a "best if used by date" and does not mean the food is unsafe to consume after ... | |
| Silicone Gasket | 5/18/2010 |
| Q: I found a great supplier of silicone gaskets online. Visit ... A: Before purchasing a gasket for your food containers, I would contact Oggi and see what gaskets they ... | |
| In-home Cake Business in Wisconsin | 5/18/2010 |
| Q: I am wanting to sell/decorate wedding cakes from home, in the state of Wisconsin, and was wondering ... A: Unfortunately, Wisconsin does not have a cottage industry law which allows individuals to legally ... | |
| selling home-baked dog treats | 5/17/2010 |
| Q: My wife would like to start selling her home-baked healthy dog treats at craft fairs and online. ... A: First, I suggest you contact your Will County Health Department, Environmental Health Services ... | |
| smoked ham sandwich style | 5/15/2010 |
| Q: I bought some hillshire farms deli select smoked ham and accidentally left it in the car over night ... A: The recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods -- foods capable of supporting the ... | |
| Food Safety | 5/12/2010 |
| Q: On May 3 I sent a question to Carl Copeland, on May 4 I received an e-mail from AllExperts stating ... A: I'm sorry you have not received a prompt reply to your question. Hopefully the following ... | |
| homemade tomato sauce | 5/3/2010 |
| Q: I made homemade tomato sauce with fresh tomatoes, canned tomato sauce, sugar spices, balsalmic ... A: Without testing the sauce to see if it is still safe it is impossible to tell. We currently do not ... | |
| smokepork | 5/2/2010 |
| Q: I smoked 4boston butts on large out door smoker cked last at 10:30 pm and fell asleep and forgot to ... A: Without testing the meat to see if they are still safe it is impossible to tell. We currently do not ... | |
| Thawed meat | 4/27/2010 |
| Q: I left a frozen vacuum packed pork tenderloin out on the counter for 12 hours. It was room ... A: The general recommendation for all raw meats and poultry, whether frozen or defrosted, is that if ... | |
| raw meat | 4/27/2010 |
| Q: I think I already know the answer to this but I'll ask anyway. I bought 2 whole boneless pork loins ... A: The recommendation is that raw meat and poultry that has been at room temperature overnight not be ... | |
| refreezing | 4/26/2010 |
| Q: I bought a large package of smoked salmon at Costco which says it was previously frozen. I would ... A: Yes, it is safe to refreeze smoked salmon, if it is handled properly. This means that the salmon is ... | |
| pork | 4/25/2010 |
| Q: I was thawing pork chops in the microwave when we decided to eat out, we forgot to put the pork ... A: By the time you read this answer you have probably already cooked and consumed the pork chops -- ... | |
| homemade applesauce | 4/25/2010 |
| Q: I made homemade applesauce last night and keep it simmering till midnight. Turned it off to cool ... A: The chances for microbial contamination are lessened in foods that have a pH below 4.6 and are high ... | |
| frezzer food | 4/24/2010 |
| Q: i have all kinds of meat and poultry in freezer that have been in there since my wife passed away i ... A: Food that is constantly frozen is safe to use for years so safety it not the issue. The issue is ... | |
| bananas | 4/24/2010 |
| Q: Sometimes when I am eating a banana I notice that in the center of it there is a small dark spot ... A: A darkened center in a banana can be a sign of a fungal infection caused by Nigrospora. From my ... | |
| Beef Stroganoff | 4/23/2010 |
| Q: Please help....My husband made a delicious smelling beef stroganoff in the crock pot and at 10:00 ... A: The general recommendation for all foods capable of supporting the growth of harmful bacteria is if ... | |
| aluminium foil in food | 4/22/2010 |
| Q: I have noticed lately when I cook meat and cover it with foil it sticks to the meat and causes holes ... A: Foil is made of aluminum and this metal can react with foods, especially acid-based (pH below 7) ... | |
| Meat safety | 4/21/2010 |
| Q: Today I placed a 2.5 pound sirloin roast in my crockpot. It was placed in one and a half cups water ... A: The normal consumer rule of thumb for potentially hazardous foods (foods capable of supporting the ... | |
| Question from the TV show BONES | 4/20/2010 |
| Q: Carol. My name is Jon and I'm a researcher for the FOX television show BONES. I'm not sure if you ... A: While I'm not familiar with the television show "Bones" before answering this question I did go ... | |
| Unrefrigerated VacuumSealed Cooked Ribs | 4/14/2010 |
| Q: I went grocery shopping yesterday and bought 5 packs of Tony Roma's fully cooked pork ribs. This ... A: Unfortunately, there just isn't a way of testing meat at home that has been left at room temperature ... | |
| Raw Meat in Refrig | 4/11/2010 |
| Q: I have an eye of round roast that was stored in the refrigerator for 4 days. When I unwrapped it ... A: Whole muscle meat will turn brown as it "ages" in the refrigerator. This change in color is ... | |
| Nutrients of bell pepper piths | 4/11/2010 |
| Q: Carol, I friend once told me that the pith of peppers has a lot of nutrients, is that true? ... A: I am not aware of any research on the nutritional value of pepper pith to substantiate the claim ... | |
| Soup safety | 4/10/2010 |
| Q: My turkey broth simmered all afternoon until about 7:30 p.m. The broth then sat on the stove, ... A: The recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods (foods capable of easily supporting ... | |
| fish | 4/8/2010 |
| Q: I left Trader Joes vacuum packed salmon out in water overnight. Can I eat it? A: The recommendation is to not cook and consume potentially hazardous foods (fish, meat, poultry, ... | |
| Food Storage | 4/6/2010 |
| Q: I recently learned that raw garlic in oil at room temperature could cause Botulism. I like to make ... A: A salad dressing made from the ingredients you listed should last in the refrigerator 2-3 months. At ... | |
| food spoilage | 4/6/2010 |
| Q: I left sandwich meat on the counter overnight (ham and salami)Is it safe to eat? A: The recommendation is to not consume foods that have been at room temperature overnight that can ... | |
| cooked cabbage | 3/30/2010 |
| Q: I cooked corned beef in a slow cooker, then took the juice (removed corned beef)and poured it into a ... A: The recommendation for cooked carbohydrate leftovers (vegetables, pasta, rice, etc) is to ... | |
| Chicken | 3/28/2010 |
| Q: I put fresh chicken in my fridge the legs have froze as the fridge was set to high but the body has ... A: Yes, the chicken is safe to cook and consume even though it has partially frozen in your ... | |
| natural Easter egg dye safety | 3/28/2010 |
| Q: I am coloring raw eggs by adding them to a bowl with grated beets and vinegar. After a couple ... A: I take it you desire to have dark rich natural colors for your eggs. However, natural dyes do not ... | |
| tomato sauce with meat | 3/27/2010 |
| Q: I make my own tomato sauce with meat, I reheated it almost bring it to a boil (stainlees steel pot ... A: Yes, unfortunately the recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods (meats, dairy, ... | |
| mold on fully cooked foods | 3/27/2010 |
| Q: I'm not sure if you can help me or not. I work in a fully cooked/frozen meats plant. Our customer ... A: I'm going to refer your question to a food scientist at the University of Illinois for a precise ... | |
| appliances | 3/17/2010 |
| Q: I was recently told by one of the health dept staff that freezer temps no longer had to held at zero ... A: No -- I'm not aware of any rule that states all refrigeration must be of commercial grade. The rule ... | |
| Insect contamination in food | 3/17/2010 |
| Q: On this web i found your answer (4/11/2008) "eating insects is not harmful to humans. In fact many ... A: I suggest you read the following references: http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/dept/bugfood2.asp ... | |
| freezing for stroage | 3/16/2010 |
| Q: I bought a huge can of pineapple and want to break it down for into servings. I like to use freezer ... A: Yes, it is possible to freeze canned pineapple and it is excellent to use in smoothies, with other ... | |
| reheating | 3/15/2010 |
| Q: How many times can you re-heat cooked chilli after it has been frozen? (I cooked it, then froze it ... A: Actually, if you handle the food properly (ie cook it to the proper end temperature, hold above 135 ... | |
| pre-cooked hams | 3/14/2010 |
| Q: I have a precooked spiral ham that is past it's expiration date. Is it still safe to heat and eat? A: I assume that this ham has been in your refrigerator...not your freezer correct? The date on the ... | |
| coolers in refrigerators | 3/1/2010 |
| Q: Is it bad to be putting soft sided and hard coolers with food inside in the refrigerator? A: No, it is safe to place coolers in the refrigerator to keep both it and the food inside cold. It ... | |
| sauerkraut | 3/1/2010 |
| Q: I forgot a crockpot of pork and sauerkraut out over night. Is it still safe to eat. A: The general recommendation for all potentially hazardous foods (foods like meat, poultry, fish, ... | |
| Partially frozen food | 2/28/2010 |
| Q: I woke up this morning to find my freezer not working - Some of the items are thawed and I will ... A: What a great way to begin your day with a freezer on the blitz!! Fortunately, partially defrosted ... | |
| MEATBALLS | 2/28/2010 |
| Q: Carol, Is it ok for me to make (form) meatballs in the morning and cook them later that day? What ... A: Yes, it is safe to pre-form meatballs in the morning, refrigerate them and then cook them later in ... | |
| wedding cake storage safety | 2/26/2010 |
| Q: Carol, Almost 1 year ago, I froze a piece of our small wedding cake to be consumed on our 1st ... A: The chance of botulism in frozen cake is zero -- even if it is vacuum sealed. While it is true that ... | |
| Frozen Food left out for 6 hours | 2/25/2010 |
| Q: Could you please advise me. I purchased a frozen chicken pie, frozen meat loaf, frozen chicken ... A: While it is not recommended to defrost foods at room temperature (and you weren't trying to do this ... | |
| soup cooling | 2/25/2010 |
| Q: Do you need to cool soup before refrigerating? A: It is recommended to cool hot soups down before placing them in the refrigerator. This can be done ... | |
| strawberries | 2/24/2010 |
| Q: I accidently left a package of frozen strawberries (vacuum packed)out for four days. Can I use them ... A: This is a very good question and one I've not been asked before. If the strawberries were truly ... | |
| organic meat possible parasites | 2/23/2010 |
| Q: I bought a box of frozen, grass fed organic beef in different cuts, (which included ground beef) ... A: Did these "worms" only appear in the ground beef or both in the ground and whole muscle steaks? If ... | |
| Regulations for Texas | 2/21/2010 |
| Q: I am researching regulations for starting a chocolate wedding favor business in Humble, TX. I found ... A: Sorry for the confusion. The 2nd kitchen CAN be in your home as long as it is separate from your ... | |
| Regulations for Texas | 2/21/2010 |
| Q: I am researching regulations for starting a chocolate wedding favor business in Humble, TX. I found ... A: Texas Dept of Health does require a separate kitchen from your home kitchen for preparing foods for ... | |
| French onion soup not refrig for 5-6 hours | 2/20/2010 |
| Q: I homemade a batch of French Onion Soup with Burgundy wine and dry Sherry with EMERIL's Beef stock ... A: The recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods (foods capable of supporting the ... | |
| Speaker Request | 2/18/2010 |
| Q: I'm looking for a speaker for an annual meeting. We host 60 + Home EC teachers in late April. ... A: Here are a couple of people who are experts on eggs that you may want to see if they are available ... | |
| Left over mix vegies | 2/17/2010 |
| Q: I have a question about veggies. I had heated up some mixed veggies (broccli, cauliflower, carrots, ... A: The general recommendation for all foods capable of supporting the growth of harmful bacteria ... | |
| Leftover French Onion Soup | 2/15/2010 |
| Q: How long is it safe to keep leftover French onion soup. It was made from fresh onions, canned beef ... A: The general recommendation is to refrigerated 4-5 days, or freeze for longer storage. If you were ... | |
| frozen ham left out | 2/14/2010 |
| Q: I decided to bake it this weekend. Yesterday I took it out of the freezer and left on the kitchen ... A: The general recommendation is to not defrost meat and other potentially hazardous foods at room ... | |
| boiling water - cleaner? | 2/12/2010 |
| Q: I tried boiling my tap water to see if I could get a better taste from the water and it worked, does ... A: When you boil water you are killing any live bacteria that may be present, but it does not eliminate ... | |
| Ground beef | 2/11/2010 |
| Q: We made hamburgers 1 day and I put the leftover burgers in a rubbermail awakes container in the ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods (meat, fish, ... | |
| chili left out over noght | 2/10/2010 |
| Q: We made a chili dish last night and left it out in the covered pot it was made in. If we bring it ... A: Unfortunately, reheating a potentially hazardous food (meat, milk, poultry, etc) that has sat at ... | |
| Soup Accidentially Frozen in Can | 2/10/2010 |
| Q: I left 5 cans of Progresso soup in the trunk of my car and it is now frozen. Can I still us them, ... A: The recommendation for frozen can goods is that they are considered still safe to eat IF the seam of ... | |
| My salsa...... | 2/9/2010 |
| Q: I have already looked into laws, FDA, extension programs, etc etc here in my state (TN). ** I have ... A: Sorry for the delay in answering you but was researching specific rules and regulations for ... | |
| commercial cooking and refreezing | 2/9/2010 |
| Q: I work in a food service operation. We have certain recipes where we cook meat in a cook tank and ... A: According to the FDA Model Food Code, potentially hazardous foods (meat, dairy, poultry, etc) have a ... | |
| Accidentally ate a spoiled slice of tangerine | 2/9/2010 |
| Q: I didn't notice that there was something fuzzy on one area of the peeled tangerine I was eating ... A: Fuzzy stalk things...how exciting -- not!!! Consuming mold (what I think you ingested) can cause ... | |
| My salsa...... | 2/8/2010 |
| Q: I have already looked into laws, FDA, extension programs, etc etc here in my state (TN). ** I have ... A: 1. For a great website with information on number of tomatoes needed for different size cans, ... | |
| Un-Opened Oscar Mayer Bacon | 2/7/2010 |
| Q: Un-Opened Oscar Mayer Bacon Use By Date is 20 Jan 2010 - is it safe to eat if it was refrigerated ... A: The date is a "best if used by" date which is placed on the food for 2 reasons...to help the grocery ... | |
| How long can meat in cryvac/cryovac, left at room temperature last? | 2/6/2010 |
| Q: How long can meat in cryvac/cryovac (just bought from the supermarket) then left at room temperature ... A: While cryovac processing (food placed in a heavy plastic bag with either all of the air removed or ... | |
| mold on bread | 2/6/2010 |
| Q: my teen appears to of ate some bread with mold on it..within an half hour she has had vomitting and ... A: Consuming mold can cause vomiting and dirrahea but body aches are not normally associated. Was ... | |
| garlic | 2/5/2010 |
| Q: I just bought some peeled garlic last night at the grocery store. It came in a plastic container.I ... A: Once peeled, it is recommended to store garlic in either the refrigerator or freezer to preserve ... | |
| Gummy Candy Shelf Life | 2/2/2010 |
| Q: My husband and I are starting our own gummy candy business. We would like to make all-natural ... A: How exciting...starting your own food business!! The shelf life of a food product depends on four ... | |
| Milk and Yoghurt | 2/2/2010 |
| Q: I have couple of questions about milk and yoghurt. Hope you could help me. 1 if the milk is well ... A: 1. If a fluid milk is not homogenized, it is possible for fat in the milk to clump together and ... | |
| sweet potato | 2/1/2010 |
| Q: I baked a sweet potato, didn't eat it and forgot to refrigerate. Is it still okay to eat? A: The general recommendation for all cooked carbohydrates (vegetables, rice, pasta, etc) is to not ... | |
| Is BSE still a threat? | 2/1/2010 |
| Q: I know the chance of eating BSE infected meat is slim these days but i would love some reassurance. ... A: I can understand your concern for BSE after the outbreaks in the 1990's. Since that time, the UK and ... | |
| refreezing previously cooked meatballs | 1/31/2010 |
| Q: We purchased frozen fully cooked meatballs, served them at a party last night but had tons leftover. ... A: It is safe to refreeze previously frozen cooked foods. They should be packaged in freezer ... | |
| Freezing tsatziki sauce (1 week old) | 1/31/2010 |
| Q: I made tsatziki sauce from scratch and the recipe said it would last 1 week refrigerated. It is now ... A: Unfortunatley, tsatziki sauce does not freeze well as the sauce becomes grainy and watery. This is ... | |
| homemade pickles | 1/30/2010 |
| Q: we had a bumper crop of cukes and zukes and made many jars of refrigerator pickles, using garlic, ... A: Opened jars of pickles are safe to consume if the power goes off. Because of the high acidity, ... | |
| frozen pumpkin | 1/30/2010 |
| Q: Good day, I pulled out frozen pumpkin to make a pie 2 weeks ago. Needless to say, I got busy and ... A: The general recommendation for open canned pumpkin is to refrigerate up to 1 week for maximum safety ... | |
| Safety of spiral sliced ham | 1/29/2010 |
| Q: I have a Ridge Creek smoked spiral sliced ham, unopened,[hermetically?]sealed in the original heavy ... A: The date that you see on the ham is not an expiration date but a date placed by the manufacturer to ... | |
| Navy Bean Soup | 1/28/2010 |
| Q: I made broth from my ham bone yesterday and then put the broth along with pieces of ham in the crock ... A: Yes, your instinct was right...the soup should be pitched for maximum safety. The problem is that ... | |
| Mold in sippy cup | 1/28/2010 |
| Q: My 3 year old found a sippy cup under the couch which could have had either juice or a mixture of ... A: Chances are very good that by the time you read this response your little girl is fine and playing ... | |
| Refrigerated Soup | 1/26/2010 |
| Q: I made a large pot of vegetable beef soup on Sunday. I got out the pot on Monday night and heated up ... A: The general recommendation for foods that are capable of supporting the growth of bacteria is that ... | |
| Jam HACCP | 1/25/2010 |
| Q: I'm doing the HACCP plan for a jam company, my question is: Will a sugar alcohol have the same ... A: I am forwarding your question on to Dr. Elizabeth Andress at the University of Georgia, a food ... | |
| home made tomatoe sauce left out 12 hr | 1/25/2010 |
| Q: Is it safe to eat home made tomato sauce left out in pan overnight ( 12hrs) A: The general recommendation is to not consume cooked carbohydrates if they have sat at room ... | |
| Taking temperatures | 1/23/2010 |
| Q: We are required to take the temp from green salad, fresh fruits, milk, juices other cold foods ... A: I assume these items are in your walk-in cooler and reach-in refrigerator. First, you need to make ... | |
| The nut ALMONDS | 1/23/2010 |
| Q: Are almonds good to eat past the expiration date on the package? A: Nuts have a "best if used by" date which is a date the manufacturer has determined that if you ... | |
| grey applesauce | 1/22/2010 |
| Q: My home canned applesauce is turning grey at the top of the jar. I used an aluminum sauce pot to ... A: According to Dr. Susan Brewer, Professor at University of Illinois... "The pigments in food which ... | |
| Marinated Pork | 1/21/2010 |
| Q: I bought some stew pork on Thursday. I marinated it on Friday but I never got around to actually ... A: The general recommendation for raw meat (pork, beef and lamb) is that it should be refrigerated up ... | |
| Preserving homemade salad dressing | 1/21/2010 |
| Q: I make a lot of dressings for salads and marinades, how can I preserve them? I have canned salsas ... A: Unfortunately, we do not have the capability of safely canning salad dressings at home. Only ... | |
| MAGGOTS! | 1/20/2010 |
| Q: Under what conditions would a container of chicken and rice get maggots in it? A: Since maggots are the larval form of flies, the only way a food could become the source of maggots ... | |
| Cooling Prepared Foods | 1/20/2010 |
| Q: Background. Our church is making 300 qts of veg-beef soup. After cooling a little (~180 deg), the ... A: Good questions and I'm glad you and your church are concerned about the proper way to cool hot ... | |
| bertolli | 1/19/2010 |
| Q: How long does the unused portion of alfredo last in the fridge after it's been opened. A: The general recommendation for opened canned sauces stored in the refrigerator is to use within 1 ... | |
| Salad dressing storage | 1/19/2010 |
| Q: I make many different types of salad dressings and sometimes they get a rancid taste if left to long ... A: Unfortunately, we do not have the capability of safely canning salad dressings at home. Only ... | |
| ok to process whole squash that froze outside | 1/17/2010 |
| Q: We harvested quite a few buttercup squash and put them on a table outside on the porch. We had a ... A: Yes, it is safe to can previously frozen squash, whether it was frozen in a freezer or from Mother ... | |
| ambient goods delivered frozen in error | 1/16/2010 |
| Q: Please help a customer has received a delivery of ambient goods( tins of beans/jars of sauces ... A: Freezing does not cause food spoilage unless the seal of the can is damaged or the jar is broken. ... | |
| Tomato Sauce storage | 1/16/2010 |
| Q: I made tomato sauce 2 days ago in a nonstick crockpot and then stored it in the refridgerator. Is it ... A: While it is not unsafe to store food, including tomato sauce in a nonstick container, it is not ... | |
| flash freeze bakers burittos for shipping | 1/13/2010 |
| Q: my daughter lives in ms and wants me to send her a bakers buritto i need to know if flash freezing ... A: I suggest you freeze the burittos and then pack with dry ice and ship them to your daughter. This ... | |
| Food safety | 1/13/2010 |
| Q: We cooked tri-tip beef for Christmas, then refrigerated it. Is is safe to eat now (1/12)?s A: The general recommendation for all cooked beef leftovers is to refrigerated up to 4-5 days and ... | |
| Sterilizing canning jars | 1/12/2010 |
| Q: I recently started canning. I have been serilizing the jars by boiling them for 10 minutes. When I ... A: The cloudy film is due to minerals in your water and is normal in areas with hard water. To remove ... | |
| Pasta with Vodka Sauce left out | 1/11/2010 |
| Q: I had pasta with vodka sauce at a restaurant. I took some home and left it out by the back door ... A: Hopefully by now you are feeling fine. Chances are good that nothing will come of this incidence ... | |
| cheese storage | 1/11/2010 |
| Q: We got a Christmas gift that went unopened until Jan. 10. It was fresh cheese from Vermont and sat ... A: I'm concerned when you say "fresh" cheese and that he cut-off the bad parts. Fresh, when referring ... | |
| chicken | 1/10/2010 |
| Q: I cut open a raw chicken and in the gizzard bag there was something that looked weird through the ... A: I know it is discerning to open a chicken and see green - a color normally not associated with fresh ... | |
| christmas cookies | 1/10/2010 |
| Q: a family member made lizzie's which are a christmas cookie about a wk before christmas. they were ... A: Christmas cookes made with a high volumes of fruits, nuts and alcohol do not need to be refrigerated ... | |
| Split pea soup | 1/9/2010 |
| Q: I made ham/split pea soup on Tuesday. Today is Saturday, can I freeze soup today for later use? A: Yes, your soup should be fine to freeze and use at a later date. The general recommendation for ... | |
| laws about cooking chicken, beef, and shrimp in the same frier | 1/8/2010 |
| Q: My sister thinks theres a law about cooking these items in the frier that theres a law that states ... A: I am not aware of any laws concerning the use of fryers and allergen foods. While those that are ... | |
| botulism | 1/8/2010 |
| Q: Can peach crisp with a oatmeal topping that has been cooked and frozen be thawed at room temp or ... A: Fortunately for us, botulism is a very rare food borne and potentially deadly illness that is ... | |
| Honeybaked ham | 1/7/2010 |
| Q: How long can a refrigerated Honeybaked ham stay good if it is to be used in soups and beans??? A: The general recommendation for leftover refrigerated ham is to use within 1 week or freeze for ... | |
| food safety | 1/6/2010 |
| Q: I made a beef stew in the crockpot last night. It wasn't turned off until about midnight. I was ... A: The general recommendation is that all cooked foods should be refrigerated within 2 hours of ... | |
| Cooking red meat using a Steamer! | 1/6/2010 |
| Q: I would like to know whether it is perfectly safe to cook red meat using a steamer and what amount ... A: Cooking meat, poultry and fish are safe to cook in a steamer, The guidelines for temperature are the ... | |
| food left unrefrigerated | 1/5/2010 |
| Q: Quick question-- I think I already know what you're going to say, but I'm just so mad at myself for ... A: The general recommendation for all foods that are capable of supporting the growth of harmful ... | |
| Frozen Dinner Safety | 1/5/2010 |
| Q: I've seen your responses about Frozen Dinner safety if the item is refrigerated, however I was ... A: It is not recommended to defrost frozen foods at room temperature as bacteria, if present in the ... | |
| Red threads in ground turkey | 1/3/2010 |
| Q: I recently purchased some fresh ground dark turkey meat. When I cooked it, it became obvious that ... A: Both I and the Dr. Tom Carr, Professor of Meat Science at the University of Illinois were baffled by ... | |
| Is it going to be safe to keep? Ham left out | 1/3/2010 |
| Q: We boiled up the ham on a bone, and accidental left it out in the broth on the stove top. Is it ... A: The recommendation is to not consume meats and other foods capable of supporting the growth of ... | |
| Red threads in ground turkey | 1/2/2010 |
| Q: I recently purchased some fresh ground dark turkey meat. When I cooked it, it became obvious that ... A: I do not know what would cause the red threads in the ground turkey. By chance I sent your question ... | |
| Pork Roast | 1/2/2010 |
| Q: Can you safely cook a frozen pork roast in a slow cooker? A: It is not recommended to cook meat from a frozen state in the slow cooker. The reason for this is ... | |
| Frozen dinners thawed for days before cooking | 1/1/2010 |
| Q: I have an elderly friend who routinely puts frozen dinners in the refrigerator or cold storage room ... A: Actually, frozen dinners do not have to be prepared from a frozen state for them to remain safe to ... | |
| freezing left over turkey made into soup | 1/1/2010 |
| Q: We made a soup out of our left over turkey. It was great. We have another turkey in the freezer ... A: For highest quality it is recommended to freeze soups up to 3 months. The soup will remain safe to ... | |
| RIDGE CREEK HONEY HAM | 12/31/2009 |
| Q: I have a Ridge Creek Fully Cooked spiral Slice Honey Ham that I just took out of the freezer. It ... A: As long as your ham was consistently frozen it is safe to cook and consume, just probably not as ... | |
| tin can; safety of cold non-vege food | 12/30/2009 |
| Q: Carol, I have two questions: 1. in my country, food safety food related issues are highly ... A: Yes -- I was referring to home or restaurant prepared cooked foods, not processed meats such as ... | |
| tin can; safety of cold non-vege food | 12/30/2009 |
| Q: Carol, I have two questions: 1. in my country, food safety food related issues are highly ... A: As you are finding, how food is prepared and the emphasis on food safety differs from county to ... | |
| beef boiled for soup | 12/29/2009 |
| Q: I roasted a prime rib on December 12. One week later I boiled the remains for soup. It has been ... A: Yes, your prime rib is past it's prime. (sorry...I couldn't resist the pun!) The recommendation for ... | |
| sprial Ham | 12/29/2009 |
| Q: for Christmas we purchased a ham and we have all been down sick with bad colds so we have decided to ... A: The "sell by" date is not a safety date but rather a date that the manufacturer has established as a ... | |
| PC sprila glazed ham | 12/28/2009 |
| Q: I bought one of these hams a month ago, and froze it for New Years, I decided I may need more, so I ... A: It is safe to freeze a spiral cut ham for 1-2 months for maximum quality. It can be frozen longer, ... | |
| Honey baked ham | 12/27/2009 |
| Q: I left a honey baked ham out over night instead of putting in the refrig.. It was out about 18 ... A: The recommendation for all foods that should be kept either hot or cold, such as ham, is that they ... | |
| raw bacon on a plate | 12/27/2009 |
| Q: My question for you today is: If I use a dinner plate to hold my raw bacon is it ok after frying the ... A: The general recommendation for all raw meats is that the cooked product should not be placed back ... | |
| Safety of Cake with pineapple filling | 12/26/2009 |
| Q: Is it safe to leave a coconut cake with pineapple filling unrefrigerated overnight? The frosting on ... A: The general guideline for all cakes with a perishable ingredient is they should be stored in the ... | |
| ham left out | 12/26/2009 |
| Q: we cooked a sprial ham and left it out for about 4.5 hrs is it still good? A: The general guidelines for consumers for refrigerating foods capabile of supporting the growth of ... | |
| Refreezing duck that was thawed in refrigerator | 12/25/2009 |
| Q: My wife is making a Turducken for Christmas. Our butcher told us you can only get frozen ducks. So ... A: Meat and poultry may be successfully refrozen if the product is handled properly. By properly I ... | |
| Home canned mincemeat | 12/24/2009 |
| Q: My mother found several jars of home-canned mincemeat from 1997 and wants to eat them! This probably ... A: While the genral guideline for all home-canned food is to use within 1 year for highest quality, ... | |
| pork | 12/23/2009 |
| Q: how long is raw marinated pork good for in the refrigerator before cooking it. I put it in the ... A: The general recommendation for all raw pork products, whether marinated or not, is that they may be ... | |
| frozen ham out of date | 12/23/2009 |
| Q: I was going to cook a pre-cooked Hormel ham for Christmas. It has been frozen since bought but the ... A: If your ham was frozen the entire time, it is safe to cook and consume even though the best if used ... | |
| ham left out | 12/22/2009 |
| Q: I have a smoked ham that is still wrapped in the celophane and thick red plastic from the store. I ... A: The general recommendation for all meats -- cooked or raw -- is that they should not be consumed if ... | |
| butter storage | 12/22/2009 |
| Q: How to store salted butter in refrigerator? In refrigerator is it necessary to keep the butter slab ... A: In the US it is common to store purchased salted butter in the refrigerator for 3-4 months. This ... | |
| Fresh Waffles | 12/21/2009 |
| Q: Last night I made a huge batch of fresh buttermilk waffles using my waffle iron and a buttermilk ... A: Waffles and pancakes, once cooked, are very similar to a baked cake (same type of ingredients), ... | |
| ham bone & meat quality after 4 weeks in refrig. | 12/19/2009 |
| Q: I have a cooked ham bone with some meat stored in my refrig. for the past four weeks. It has not ... A: It is not recommended to keep cooked foods that can easily support the growth of harmful bacteria ... | |
| Food Safety | 12/19/2009 |
| Q: How long is it safe to keep homemade candy, cookies, cakes and pies at room temperature? And how ... A: The advice to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold applie to foods that can easily support the ... | |
| Expired date on flour | 12/13/2009 |
| Q: Made a home made apple pie using fresh apples and home made pie crust. Question is while rolling ... A: Yes, the pie is safe to eat. The dates that are shown on flour bags is a "best quality if used by ... | |
| safety of tea kettle | 12/13/2009 |
| Q: I have a stainless steel tea kettle that I've had for probably over 20 years, from the Vermont ... A: Stainless steel is prized for tea kettles as it does not rust or interact with water. Mineral ... | |
| chicken left out to thaw | 12/12/2009 |
| Q: A 5 lb. chicken was taken out the freezer completely frozen, put in sink to thaw and left out by ... A: It is not recommended to defrost poultry at room temperature as this gives any bacteria on the ... | |
| frozen pie pumpkins | 12/12/2009 |
| Q: my pie pumpkins froze outside before I was able to cook them down and freeze them for future use to ... A: There is nothing unsafe with cooking a previously field frozen pumpkin. Be aware that the product ... | |
| Preserving lemon rind | 12/11/2009 |
| Q: I have been preserving lemon rinds with a family recipe for a year or so. After juicing a lemon for ... A: I find no food safety reason why you can not continue with your lemon rind/salting preservation. ... | |
| uht milk | 12/11/2009 |
| Q: How long can we keep opened uht organic milk (8 oz. box)out of fridge? I put it in my daughter's ... A: Once uht milk is opened it is to be handled the same as other fresh milk products -- in other words ... | |
| vinegar kill germs in kitchen | 12/10/2009 |
| Q: I had read a couple years ago that a solution of 2 tbsp vinegar, 2 cups water and some borax was ... A: Using vinegar/water/borox solution as a disinfectant is safe in your home and will kill most of the ... | |
| garlic | 12/9/2009 |
| Q: This isn't a food safety issue so much as a quality issue. What is the best way to store garlic ... A: According to the University of California... "For long-term storage, garlic is best maintained at ... | |
| pumpkin pie | 12/9/2009 |
| Q: How long could you keep a pumpkin pie if it's refrigerated? A: The recommendation for best quality and safety is to refrigerate pies up to 2-3 days. While the pie ... | |
| sliced ham | 12/8/2009 |
| Q: Is it still safe to eat? Thankyou A: The general recommendation for all meats left out of refrigeration overnight is to not take a chance ... | |
| vacuum bag | 12/8/2009 |
| Q: vacuum bags now i went in the box to pull out a slice of ham and the meat is in the bag but they ... A: I would first have a conversation with the butcher and explain your displeasure with the condition ... | |
| Pecan Pie | 12/7/2009 |
| Q: How long is in safe to eat refrigerated pecan pie after baking A: With the high sugar content, a refrigerated pecan pie will remain safe to consume for several weeks. ... | |
| Freezer life of Spaghetti sauce | 12/5/2009 |
| Q: My son and his wife love my homemade spaghetti sauce that I make with meatballs and sausage. They ... A: Frozen spaghetti sauce with meat will stay safe in the freezer indefinitely. What you are really ... | |
| pressure canning chicken noodle soup | 12/4/2009 |
| Q: Do I do it at 11 lbs and 25 min for quarts? A: There is not a research tested recipe for safely canning chicken noodle soup at home. You can can ... | |
| food storage | 12/4/2009 |
| Q: i have stored a pot of spaghetti sauce with meat for over 24 hours in the same pot it was cooked in, ... A: The sauce is okay to consume and the discoloration is caused by a reaction between the acidic sauce ... | |
| Expired Candy | 12/3/2009 |
| Q: I was wondering about eating expired candy. I saw some packs of licorice flavored twizzlers in a ... A: There are no food safety issues related to eating old candy -- only quality issues. As you ... | |
| fish left in trunk of car | 12/2/2009 |
| Q: I put left over stuffed flounder from red lobster in a freeze grocery travel bag and left it in my ... A: Leaving fish and other protein-rich foods in the "Danger Zone" -- 40 to 135 degrees F -- for an ... | |
| Left Over Turkey | 12/1/2009 |
| Q: I still have Thursday's leftover turkey and carcass in the fridge. Is it still safe to boil and ... A: The general recommendation for all leftover poultry products is to use within 2-3 days. This would ... | |
| food poisoning | 12/1/2009 |
| Q: i had turkey , deviled eggs macaroni and cheese, and yams in the car for 4 hrs. hubby and i ate. im ... A: It is possible for cooked vegetables that have been temperature abused by being out of refrigeration ... | |
| turkey soup edibility | 11/30/2009 |
| Q: I made a huge pot of turkey soup yesterday. After cooking it for hours it was still hot before I ... A: The soup would be considered safe if you broke down the soup into small, shallow containers (no more ... | |
| food | 11/30/2009 |
| Q: A: Cooked vegetables and meat need to be refrigerated for safety as they both are capable of supporting ... | |
| canned peas and carrots uncooked | 11/29/2009 |
| Q: i have a gallon can of peas and carrots. i forgot to put it away last night after i opened it and ... A: The recommendation is to refrigerate unused canned vegetables within 2 hours of opening. The pH of ... | |
| homemade turkey soup | 11/28/2009 |
| Q: We made about two gallons of turkey soup and had no room in the refrigerator. I put it on our front ... A: If you broke down the soup into shallow containers (no more than 4-inches deep) and cooled the soup ... | |
| Freezing of Ham | 11/28/2009 |
| Q: I bought a spiral ham with date of Dec. 11 on it. It stated in the store ad "previously frozen" can ... A: Yes, you can refreeze previously frozen ham as long as they have been defrosted in the refrigerator ... | |
| Refridgeration and Mold | 11/27/2009 |
| Q: I have a client who pretty much refuses to eat anything that is pulled from a refridgerator. Like I ... A: Tell your client that by refrigerating foods you are actually slowing down the growth of mold, not ... | |
| chicken rack | 11/27/2009 |
| Q: i cooked a whole organic chicken on Sunday and imediately took all the meat off the rack and cooled ... A: The general rule of thumb for using cooked poultry is to refrigerate and use within 3-4 days. From ... | |
| cooked duck | 11/26/2009 |
| Q: How long can cooked duck remain unrefrigerated? A: The general recommendation for all cooked proteins (poultry, beef, pork, fish) is to refrigerate ... | |
| fully cooked ham | 11/26/2009 |
| Q: I left our cooked ham in the car, which was parked in my garage and the temp this morning was 47 ... A: If you can verify that the temperature of the ham did not raise above 45 degrees internal ... | |
| Food preservation | 11/25/2009 |
| Q: This website that I enjoy had a posting about storage of dried grains/beans and other low water ... A: The key to any dry storage is to get the oxygen atmosphere to a low enough percentage that any ... | |
| painting foil containers for cooking | 11/25/2009 |
| Q: I was wondering if it is safe to cook in foil containers that you can buy at the dollar store , If i ... A: Yes, it is safe to bake in inexpensive foil containers. As far as cooking, they are not designed to ... | |
| frozen ham | 11/24/2009 |
| Q: i have a hillshire bone in smoked ham which has been in our freezer for awhile. it's use by date was ... A: Yes, as long as the ham was continually frozen it is safe to consume. Meats held for long-term ... | |
| pudding | 11/23/2009 |
| Q: Saw your answer regarding refrigerated pudding left out for 2 hours. There was a death in our family ... A: Puddings that contain milk should be refrigerated to remain safe. While the cake part of the cake ... | |
| Roastbeef in freezer | 11/22/2009 |
| Q: We purchased an eye round in February of this year and cut it into three sections. Two were ... A: As long as meat is continually frozen it is safe to consume. Freezer guidelines for meat are based ... | |
| chicken | 11/22/2009 |
| Q: chicken has expired but is still frozen A: The date on chicken is a "sell-by" or "best if use by date" -- not an expiration date. If you ... | |
| olives | 11/21/2009 |
| Q: why do green olives come in glass jars and black olives come in cans? A: While it is most common for green olives to be found in jar and black olives in cans, some black ... | |
| homemade pumpkin pie | 11/20/2009 |
| Q: How long will a pumpkin pie keep safely (if refrigerated after cooling 2 hours)? I need to bake a ... A: A refrigerated pumpkin pie will remain safe to consume for at least 1 week. The problem with ... | |
| beef left out | 11/20/2009 |
| Q: my partner decided to leave meat out to defrost in the sink. It has been there for about 7 hours. ... A: The recommendation is to not defrost meat at room temperature because of the increased risk for ... | |
| baking mac n cheese | 11/19/2009 |
| Q: I'm donating a 4" deep full size disposable chafer pan of mac n cheese to a charity dinner & want to ... A: Is this being baked in a standard or commercial convection oven? If standard oven, I would say it ... | |
| Selling baked goods from home | 11/18/2009 |
| Q: I live in Arapahoe county in Byers, Colorado. I was thinking about selling candy, cookies, cakes, ... A: Your first call should be to your Tri-County Health Department -- Environmental Health Services ... | |
| Home Baked Goods | 11/18/2009 |
| Q: In the state of Missouri and according to health regulations, can home baked goods/foods be served ... A: Normally, in all states home prepared, non-potentially hazardous foods such as cookies, cakes and ... | |
| PACKAGED MEAT SAFTY | 11/17/2009 |
| Q: A LOCAL STORE SELLS VACCUMED PACKED HARD SALAMI WITH A SELL BY DATE OF 8-21-08, THIS CAN'T BE GOOD ... A: I would start with your local health department - environmental health services division - and talk ... | |
| Is my soup okay to eat? | 11/16/2009 |
| Q: I made a big pot of posole last night for dinner tonight. I took it off the burner around 9:30pm, ... A: The general recommendation for all foods that can easily support the growth of harmful bacteria when ... | |
| Red meat safety | 11/15/2009 |
| Q: I started making chili, the tomatoes and venison heated through at 9 pm then set to low. I forget it ... A: If I understand your question correctly you made the chili and at 9 PM you reduced the heat to ... | |
| Soup left out for 5 hours | 11/15/2009 |
| Q: I am afraid I know the answer from your responses to other questions. But my wife is upset, so I ... A: Yes -- your instincts are right. Foods capable of supporting the growth of harmful bacteria should ... | |
| food safety | 11/14/2009 |
| Q: when making Chow chow ,why is lots vinegar neccessary A: Relishes such as Chow chow are a mixture of vegetables that have a pH above 4.6. Foods with a pH ... | |
| cooked chicken safety | 11/12/2009 |
| Q: If I make a pot of chicken and dumplings in the slow cooker and fail to put it in the refrigerator ... A: According to the FDA Food Code, a potentially hazardous food (a food capable of supporting the rapid ... | |
| Pumpkin Pie | 11/11/2009 |
| Q: How long doe pumpkin pie keep in the refrigerator? A: The general recommendation for custard and egg-based pies is to refrigerated and use within 2 to 3 ... | |
| pork loin left out... is it okay? | 11/10/2009 |
| Q: I had a 4.75lb pork loin in my deep freezer. I took it out yesterday around 10am and then it was ... A: I assume from your description that the pork loin was out of refrigeration almost 24 ... | |
| Health dept. inspections for home and commercial rental | 10/31/2009 |
| Q: I live in Massachusetts and I am starting a cookie business. I have an order well before i am ready ... A: If you are renting a certified kitchen, then the health department has it on their regular list of ... | |
| Bean Soaking Food Safety | 10/31/2009 |
| Q: I put lima and humus beans in the refrigerator to soak a week ago. Is it still safe to use them to ... A: Do your beans still look and smell okay? If so, they will be safe to cook. If not -- pitch the ... | |
| chili | 10/30/2009 |
| Q: I made chili at about six thirty last night and left it to sort of cool before putting it in the ... A: Your chili was off the heat source from 6:30 pm to 1 am -- 6 and 1/2 hours. The general ... | |
| Packing homemade barbecue sauce | 10/30/2009 |
| Q: I am interested in making a tomato based barbecue sauce and selling it at local farmer's markets.Is ... A: First, you need to check with your local health department to see if tomato-based bbq sauce is ... | |
| Ground Beef | 10/29/2009 |
| Q: I thawed 4 ground beef patties at room temperature for about 12 hours. Since I decided not to fry ... A: Who knows????? All we do know is that thawing meats at room temperature increases the chances that ... | |
| safe cookware | 10/28/2009 |
| Q: Please, i wish to know are the silicone cookware and food containers toxic: like tomato soup in ... A: Since you live in Croatia I can not speak to the quality of silicone products found in your market. ... | |
| candy shelf life | 10/28/2009 |
| Q: i am starting a small candy business , how do i add shelf life to chocolates and toffee ? how long ... A: Congratulations on your new candy business! Chocolate, when handled properly, has a shelf life of ... | |
| how long to keep thawed chicken? | 10/27/2009 |
| Q: I took chicken out of the freezer to defrost and I forgot about it - my husband worked late and the ... A: The general safety recommendation for defrosted chicken is to use within 1-2 days of full defrost. ... | |
| frozen beef | 10/25/2009 |
| Q: Is beef frozen for four years safe to eat in a stew or soup? A: As long as the meat was continually frozen it is safe to consume. Freezer guidelines for foods are ... | |
| Non refridgerated curry gravy | 10/22/2009 |
| Q: I bought curry chicken yesterday, got extra gravy for my seconds, but forgot to put the gravy in the ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume gravy that has been in the Danger Zone (40 to ... | |
| chicken soup sat out all day | 10/21/2009 |
| Q: I made some homemade chicken soup from scratch. It contains broth, chicken thigh meat, carrots and ... A: It's impossible to know for sure if your homemade chicken soup left at room temperature for 7 hours ... | |
| frozen ham bone | 10/21/2009 |
| Q: After Christmas dinner last year (2008) I put the ham bone in the freezer that evening. Now it's ... A: As long as the ham bone was continually frozen it is safe to use. Freezer guidelines for usage of ... | |
| Tomato Paste in a Tube not refrigerated. | 10/20/2009 |
| Q: Tonight I made spaghetti bolognese with all fresh ingredients bought from the store. At the tail end ... A: Tomato paste is an acidic food (pH below 4.6) and is therefore a food that can be at room ... | |
| Left some uncooked meat in the car | 10/19/2009 |
| Q: I left some uncooked meat in the car for about 4 hours. These meats include pork chops, chicken, ... A: If the meat was still cold (as cold as when purchased) it should be okay to refrigerate and cook. ... | |
| Canning Jalapenos | 10/17/2009 |
| Q: I canned some jalapenos using a recipe that calls for a solution of 50%water and 50%White Wine ... A: Yes, a pH below 4.6 means that the food can be canned in a hot water bath for safety. A pH of 3.4 is ... | |
| Butter-based icings | 10/17/2009 |
| Q: I have heard mixed opinions on whether icings made with butter need refrigerated, could you clarify? ... A: I consulted with a 40+ year professional baker and a Sanitarian with your question and both ... | |
| Freezer temps | 10/16/2009 |
| Q: I was recently told by one of the health dept staff that freezer temps no longer had to held at zero ... A: Both the FDA and Illinois Food code (the state where I love) state that frozen food shall be ... | |
| Canning Jalapenos | 10/15/2009 |
| Q: I canned some jalapenos using a recipe that calls for a solution of 50%water and 50%White Wine ... A: First, it is important that you are using research-tested recipes when making pickled products ... | |
| Safety of picking musrooms | 10/15/2009 |
| Q: How can you tell if a mushroom is safe to pick? Are storebought mushrooms always ... A: As I am not a mushroom expert I will not be able to answer the first part of your question as to how ... | |
| Best way to clean fruits and vegetables | 10/14/2009 |
| Q: I live overseas and need to wash by fruit and vegetables very well to get any microbes or bacteria, ... A: I think you should read this article from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for insight on why ... | |
| Best way to clean fruits and vegetables | 10/14/2009 |
| Q: I live overseas and need to wash by fruit and vegetables very well to get any microbes or bacteria, ... A: Believe it or not, the recommended way to clean fruits and vegetables is with clean, potable water. ... | |
| pasta noodles | 10/13/2009 |
| Q: How long can cooked pasta with nothing on it stay safe to eat stored in the fridge? A: The recommendation for refrigeration of cooked pasta is to use within 3-4 days. While it may remain ... | |
| Home baked good w/certified kitchen..what else do I need? | 10/13/2009 |
| Q: Carol, I'm considering starting a home baked goods "business" for a little extra cash. I've read ... A: Yes, you need to be a certified food handler whether you are working out of a separate kitchen in ... | |
| dates , the fruit | 10/12/2009 |
| Q: I would like to know can I freeze fresh dates? If so , how? ... A: Yes, you can freeze dates - either whole or pureed. Use ripe, firm dates that you first wash and ... | |
| cooking for friends | 10/12/2009 |
| Q: my friends asked me to cook for them on a weekly basis, twice a week a home cooked meal. can I do ... A: I assume from your question that your friends are paying you for this service -- right? If so, ... | |
| meatloaf | 10/11/2009 |
| Q: Is it safe to leave uncooked meatloaf in the refrigerator for two days before cooking. My meat was ... A: It is not recommended to make up a raw meat mixture and hold it in the refrigerator longer than 24 ... | |
| Goat cheese | 10/10/2009 |
| Q: I am wondering if goat cheese submerged in olive oil is safe out of refrigeration for a few hours. ... A: Garlic in oil is a risk for botulism because of the possibility of the garlic to harbor botulism ... | |
| Frozen Pizza | 10/10/2009 |
| Q: I live in Honolulu HI and want to start manufacturing vegan frozen pizzas. I have no idea where to ... A: In Hawaii I suggest you contact the following: University of Hawaii Extension: Lynn ... | |
| Goat cheese | 10/9/2009 |
| Q: I am wondering if goat cheese submerged in olive oil is safe out of refrigeration for a few hours. ... A: First, you need to check with the Farmer's Market you are considering selling your product as to ... | |
| Open canned maple syrup storage | 10/8/2009 |
| Q: How long can maple syrup in a can be safe after it's opened? It is now is a plastic container but ... A: According to the Vermont Maple Syrup Association, once opened maple syrup must be refrigerated. For ... | |
| uncooked meatloaf | 10/7/2009 |
| Q: I just made a meatloaf but will not be able to have it tonight as planned. Is is alright to ... A: Yes, it is safe to prepare a meatloaf and refrigerate it overnight to bake the next day. The key is ... | |
| canning meat sauce | 10/6/2009 |
| Q: in a hot bath canning process, how long does the quart jars need to process?2e A: It is not safe to can meat products in a hot water bath -- here's why: Meat is a product with a pH ... | |
| cooked bacon left out overnight | 10/5/2009 |
| Q: We cooked bacon yesterday afternoon and the leftovers sat out on the counter on a dish with leftover ... A: The general recommendation for all leftover potentially hazardous foods (foods capable of supporting ... | |
| cabbage | 10/5/2009 |
| Q: I left a head of raw cabbage in my hot car all day can I get sick fromm eating it if I cooked it A: Fortunatley, fresh raw cabbage does not have to be refrigerated after harvest to remain fresh. ... | |
| Flavoring Olive Oil | 10/4/2009 |
| Q: I want to flavor my olive oil by cooking it with a few cloves of garlic and then discarding the ... A: The general recommendation for homemade oils flavored with fresh herbs is to make them fresh, store ... | |
| plastic button on ham | 10/3/2009 |
| Q: My husband cooked the spiral ham for 3 hours never noticing the plastic button on the bottom. The ... A: According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (part of USDA), if the round plastic bone ... | |
| Egg storage | 10/3/2009 |
| Q: We were in Europe and Ireland touring, and noticed in the markets and stores, that eggs were stored ... A: Yes, it is very common to see in Europe and Asia eggs stored at room temperature. For centuries, ... | |
| food-safe metals | 10/2/2009 |
| Q: 1) for a neighborhood party, a low country boil was cooked in a new aluminum trash can (over ... A: While it's not recommended to use trash cans for cooking food, at least it was a new one and made of ... | |
| Meatless Frozen Dinner left out for over 24 hours | 10/1/2009 |
| Q: I took a meatless Smart Ones frozen dinner to work but forgot to put it in the refrigerator and did ... A: The general recommendation for all foods that should be kept either hot or cold for safety, is if it ... | |
| food left out of frig | 9/30/2009 |
| Q: I made a chicken pot pie with cooked chicken, fresh vegetables mixed with cream of chicken soup ... A: Anytime a food that can easily support the growth of bacteria is left in the Danger Zone (41 to 135 ... | |
| under temped lunchmeat | 9/30/2009 |
| Q: Would I get really sick if I ate lunchmeat that went out of temp. How long do the symptoms last, if ... A: While the risk of getting ill goes up when you eat foods that are at room temperature when they ... | |
| ROASTED ANAHEIM PEPPERS | 9/29/2009 |
| Q: A FRIEND OF MINE BROUGHT ROASTED PEPPERS TO ME YESTERDAY, AND THEY WERE STILL HOT FROM ROASTING. I ... A: Peppers that have been heat treated should be refrigerated within 2 hours of preparation for safety. ... | |
| home baked cheesecake safety issues | 9/29/2009 |
| Q: I make cheesecakes at home and would like to know how long can they be frozen. Once frozen and ... A: The general recommendation for frozen cheesecakes is to freeze up to 6 months. This is a quality ... | |
| leaving food out overnight | 9/28/2009 |
| Q: I accidently left a large pot of a tomato based chicken and rice out on the stove. It was turned off ... A: The recommendation is to not consume foods that can easily support the growth of bacteria when given ... | |
| Canned tuna | 9/28/2009 |
| Q: Schlitt, I eat a lot of canned tuna, up to 10 cans/week of chunk light Skipjack tuna. Am I going to ... A: Since you live in Canada, I suggest you read the information on tuna consumption as prepared by ... | |
| Defrosted Boneless Pork Loin Chops | 9/27/2009 |
| Q: I took the boneless pork loin chops out of the freezer and put them into the refrigerator to defrost ... A: The general rule is that raw whole muscle pork products should be cooked within 3-4 days of defrost. ... | |
| bacon | 9/27/2009 |
| Q: how long can an open package of bacon stay in the frig before it spoils? A: The general rule of thumb is that once opened, bacon should be used within 7 days for maximum safety ... | |
| salad dressing with garlic and olive oil | 9/26/2009 |
| Q: New question re food safety: What food safety cautions are appropriate for a salad dressing recipe, ... A: I didn't see a salad dressing recipe on your blog -- only the mention that you used the garlic paste ... | |
| bottled trout | 9/26/2009 |
| Q: I pressure canned my trout but didn't pack the pints clear full. After processing them, I find that ... A: When too much headspace is left in the jar, the trout at the top of the jar is likely to discolor. ... | |
| bratwurst | 9/25/2009 |
| Q: how long can you refrigerate par boiled brats? we boiled some two weeks ago, and stored them since. A: Par boiled bratwurst should be cooked immediately to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees ... | |
| Frozen meat safety | 9/25/2009 |
| Q: I removed a package of frozen meat (lamb stew meat) from the freezer today. I noticed that the ... A: I have no idea what would cause plastic wrap to puff on your meat product in the freezer. Upon ... | |
| food | 9/24/2009 |
| Q: why are egg noodles not supposed to be reheated? A: I am not aware of any recommendations of not reheating egg noodles. If the noodles were properly ... | |
| My blueberry jam | 9/24/2009 |
| Q: Yesterday I canned two batches of blueberry jam. In the second batch I forgot the lemon juice. All ... A: Lemon juice is not necessary for making jams safe to consume but rather is needed to make a gel. ... | |
| Fruit Left In Trunk of Car | 9/23/2009 |
| Q: I left fruit (blueberries, apples and pears) in the trunk of my car over 8 hours. Are they save to ... A: Whole fruits do not need to be refrigerated to remain safe but are encouraged to do so to extend ... | |
| Ate a bite of sealed, unexpired soy yogurt before noticed mold! Trouble swallowing/worried.. | 9/23/2009 |
| Q: 4 Days ago, I ate one bite of unexpired and sealed soy yogurt. I noticed it tasted horrible/sort of ... A: Since you vomited within a very short time of consuming the yogurt, the chances of any residual mold ... | |
| egg storage | 9/23/2009 |
| Q: I cooked some eggs last night to hard boil, and left them on the stove in the water all night! It ... A: It is not recommended to leave hard cooked eggs at room temperature overnight, even if left in the ... | |
| Tomatoes! | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: I recently blanched, peeled and put tomatoes in ziploc bags that I am storing in the freezer. ... A: Botulism spores only grow in the absence of air and in foods that have a pH above 4.6. Tomatoes ... | |
| green spots on garlic and potaotes | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: This is my secondCould you refer me to some good articles about the cyanide that is found in the ... A: I suggest the following websites: http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/green05.pdf ... | |
| safety of garlic in oil when cooked and frozen | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: I write a blog with food and recipe ideas to help prevent cancer: http://monamifood.wordpress.com. ... A: I have read your blog and I think your process is safe to recommend to your readers. I do suggest ... | |
| Food safety and freezer door left open | 9/21/2009 |
| Q: My freezer door was left open and I had in there batches of baked Challahs ( egg based breads) do I ... A: Baked breads - even challah -- and cakes should be okay to consume and/or refreeze, though the ... | |
| HACCP MODEL- Chicken mayonnaise sandwich production and sales(counter) | 9/21/2009 |
| Q: Kindly assist me to answer these questions on the above subject: (i)PRP implementation( preparing a ... A: This sounds like a homework assignment which I do not normally answer. I suggest you check out this ... | |
| home made tomato sauce | 9/21/2009 |
| Q: After oven-roasting tomatoes from our garden and bell peppers (approx. 1.5 hrs@350 - 400 degrees F) ... A: Bloating bags is never a good sign and an indication that either fermentation or bacterial growth ... | |
| Toxic food combination | 9/20/2009 |
| Q: I've heard from my grandmother that eating a certain broad bean and then drinking cows milk can ... A: I am aware of potential problems in eating certain varieties of dried beans (especially red kidney ... | |
| Egg storage | 9/20/2009 |
| Q: We hard-boil a batch of eggs, keep them refrigerated, and then use a couple of them each day for ... A: The ease of peeling eggs is determined by the age of the egg when hard cooked. I'm not aware of a ... | |
| Fresh Salsa | 9/20/2009 |
| Q: I made some fresh salsa and gave some to a friend advising her it needs to be refrigerated. My ... A: Bubbling food is never a good sign unless you are purposely trying to grow yeast for bread baking. ... | |
| Storing leftovers from canned food | 9/11/2009 |
| Q: I've been buying the same brand of canned peaches for over a year. (The cans are about a 30 oz ... A: The general recommendation for storage of canned fruit in the refrigerator after opening is to use ... | |
| Egg storage | 9/10/2009 |
| Q: We hard-boil a batch of eggs, keep them refrigerated, and then use a couple of them each day for ... A: The general recommendation for the storage of hard cooked eggs is to leave them in the shell and ... | |
| Re: ingesting fly food | 9/10/2009 |
| Q: To my shame, I ate a hamburger that had been landed on multiple times by flies. I was starving, and ... A: Flies landing on foods can transfer harmful bacteria and other microorganisms but cooking the food ... | |
| SHIPPING FROZEN SMOKED SALMON | 9/10/2009 |
| Q: A friend of mine is shipping a frozen smoked salmon from Denmark to California. What do you ... A: I suggest your friend contact either FedEx or UPS for guidelines on how to ship frozen fish to the ... | |
| safety of a product | 9/9/2009 |
| Q: I have an idea of a food product that I think would sell great in stores. How do I make sure it's ... A: When food manufacturers are developing new products they subject the product to storage conditions ... | |
| beans with black spots | 9/9/2009 |
| Q: I have these green beans in my garden that are covered with dark black splotches which look almost ... A: The black spots on beans is caused by a fungus -- Alternaria alternata -- whichi is common in beans ... | |
| home-made mayo | 9/9/2009 |
| Q: I recently acquired the recipe for my Mom's home-made potato salad dressing, and I'm wondering how ... A: The general recommendation for home-made, egg-based dressings is to use within 3-4 days. FYI -- if ... | |
| Telling if canned food is safe | 9/1/2009 |
| Q: Is there any way I can tell if canned food is safe to consume? I recently canned peaches and did ... A: Home preserved high acid (fruits, jams and jellies, tomatoes, and pickles) are safe to consume if ... | |
| chicken safety | 8/31/2009 |
| Q: I am 6 months pregnant and am going to a friends for curry. she part cooks the chicken and then ... A: It is not recommended for anyone to consume poultry that has been partially cooked and then ... | |
| food safety | 8/31/2009 |
| Q: I took out frozen pork chops last night about 8pm and did not put in the refrigerator until 7am. Can ... A: The recommendation is to not defrost meat at room temperature overnight. While the chops may be ... | |
| Thawing roast beef with freezer burn | 8/30/2009 |
| Q: Hey i bought a roast beef at the store at the beging of this month on the 9th augest 2009 and frozen ... A: Freezer burn is not harmful to consume -- just dries out the surface of the meat exposed to air in ... | |
| home busiss cake decorating | 8/30/2009 |
| Q: What are the safety requirements in California for starting a home based cake decorating business? ... A: California, like Illinois where I live, does not allow individuals to run a bakery out of their ... | |
| Traveling with fast food | 8/30/2009 |
| Q: I will be flying 10 hrs. to see my daughter next week, she wants me to bring a breaded grilled ... A: Without keeping the chicken sandwich either hot (135 degrees or higher) or cold (41 degrees or ... | |
| Oils | 8/29/2009 |
| Q: Recently I learned that I was consuming rancid oils...I've learned that when buying oils you must ... A: Extra virgin and virgin olive oils are unrefined oils. I checked with Trader Joe's and their extra ... | |
| commercial kitchens | 8/29/2009 |
| Q: I have been searching in vain trying to get information online about what the legal specifications ... A: Currently, 17 states have what is known as "cottage laws" - laws that allow individuals to bake and ... | |
| turkey soup | 8/28/2009 |
| Q: I left a quart of soup in the car overnight. It had just been put in the freezer for a short time ... A: I know you hate to throw out the soup but I bet you'd hate even more spending the weekend doubled ... | |
| Cooked Chicken | 8/28/2009 |
| Q: I have recently eaten a piece of chicken that came from a shop bought cooked chicken. ALL the ... A: If I understand your question correctly, you purchased a whole, cooked chicken that the neck, ... | |
| Smoked whole chicken | 8/27/2009 |
| Q: I have a smoked whole chicken that's been refrigerated since I bought on Saturday. It is vacuumed ... A: The general recommendation for cooked poultry products is that they should be refrigerated and used ... | |
| Looking to Start Confections Business at Home in NJ | 8/26/2009 |
| Q: I'd like to start an at-home based confections business in New Jersey. I have given friends and ... A: From my research on New Jersey, you must have a separate, inspected and certified kitchen from your ... | |
| Eggs | 8/26/2009 |
| Q: I have a boiled egg that i left in my purse from 8amm to 5pm then refridgated it. Is it safe to eat A: The general recommendation for consumers is to not eat boiled eggs that have been out of ... | |
| Sealed, cooked eggplant left overnight | 8/26/2009 |
| Q: I read that you said that vegetables unrefrigerated for than 4 hours are unhealthy but what about if ... A: No, sealing in a container it does not automatically make it safe to consume if left out overnight. ... | |
| Canned food shelf-life | 8/25/2009 |
| Q: After my dad passed away I inherited a house full of stuff, among them a large cabinet full of ... A: I assume from your description that you are referring to commercially canned food products, not home ... | |
| freezing cooked fish | 8/25/2009 |
| Q: Can you refreeze fish that was defrosted and then cooked? With shrimp, which tends to get tough if ... A: It is safe to freeze cooked fish, simply packaged cooled fish in airtight containers and freeze for ... | |
| re heating food | 8/25/2009 |
| Q: We had a BBq at the weekend and had lots of food left over. We put all the cooked uneaten sausages ... A: As long as the cooked sausages were handled properly they should be fine to freeze, defrost and ... | |
| canning peaches | 8/21/2009 |
| Q: Is it still safe to eat canned fruit if it does not go through the water bath process for the full ... A: No, it is not considered safe if canned fruits are not processed for the full amount of time in a ... | |
| Stainless pet dishes | 8/20/2009 |
| Q: I purchased my cat new cat dishes that are stainless steal and am very concerned they might make him ... A: Stainless steel is non-reactive and are perfectly safe for both food and water. Stainless steel is ... | |
| apples | 8/20/2009 |
| Q: someone gave me a bag of apples with black spots on them. Is it ok to cut that part off and eat the ... A: Sounds like these apples have what is commonly referred to as black spot or apple scab. These spots ... | |
| Deep freeze quit | 8/20/2009 |
| Q: My deep freeze quit,I guess a couple of days ago.The meat,and there is alot of meat,chicken,ground ... A: The general recommendation for meats that have been in a freezer that has stopped is if there are ... | |
| RE:Bottled Water | 8/19/2009 |
| Q: Is it true that water bottled in plastic bottles may be harmful if left in the sun? If yes, every ... A: Yes, bottled water can become unsafe if stored for long periods of time in direct sunlight or at hot ... | |
| rancid coking oil | 8/19/2009 |
| Q: i have an almost full bottle of canola oil that has a little bit of odor that i believe to be what ... A: If the oil has gone rancid you will notice an off smell with the oil. If you cook with this oil it ... | |
| Canning "southern green beans" | 8/19/2009 |
| Q: Does this sound safe? Can't find any "tested" canning recipes for a type of southern green beans. I ... A: I am going to shoot your question to Dr. Elizabeth Andress, author of the USDA Guide to Home Canning ... | |
| potatoes | 8/18/2009 |
| Q: we left peeled potatoes out in a pan of water and the next day they were kind of foamy. we rinsed ... A: Sorry for taking so long to answer you. First, cut potatoes should be placed in the refrigerator ... | |
| fridge left open | 8/18/2009 |
| Q: Was cleaning it out, and went to attend to crying baby, and shut it once he was fed and back to ... A: I believe that 45 minutes open is not enough time to affect the safety of the refrigerated items. ... | |
| unrefrigerated meat | 8/17/2009 |
| Q: I left an unopened package of chuck steaks in my car in the garage when I came from shopping. It was ... A: Who knows....could be safe and then again it could have you running for the bathroom within 30 ... | |
| transporting ham | 8/17/2009 |
| Q: we have been asked to cook four fully cooked hams (@ 40 lbs total) at our home and then transport ... A: First, cooking and transporting hot, cooked hams without keeping them hot in route (at least 135 ... | |
| Food grade styrofoam | 8/16/2009 |
| Q: I'm thinking about building myself a food dehydrator. I thought about using high density styrofoam ... A: I'm not very familiar with the chemical makeup of high density styrofoam and do not know if any ... | |
| noodles in canned soup | 8/16/2009 |
| Q: Why is it not recommended to put noodles in soup that is to be canned? The soup manufacturers do it. ... A: The reason it is not recommended to add noodles, rice and thickeners to soup is because the mixtures ... | |
| food parasites | 8/16/2009 |
| Q: As you probably know, many recipes involve "cooking" meat or fish by the use of lemon juice or some ... A: Yes, I am very familiar with ceviche. For two excellent articles on ceviche which answers most of ... | |
| spot on steak | 8/16/2009 |
| Q: I couldn't find a butcher on here, but seeing as your a food safety instructor, I was hoping you ... A: I forwarded your question to a meat specialist at the University of Illinois and here is his ... | |
| SMOKED HAM | 8/15/2009 |
| Q: A couple of months ago, I bought a Ridge Creek spiral cut hickory smoked honey baked ham which is ... A: The recommendation is to use dated meats by their printed "use by" date or freeze by that date for ... | |
| How to properly clean a wooden cutting board | 8/15/2009 |
| Q: Schlitt, I read in one of your responses that wooden cutting boards are safe to use because wood is ... A: Yes, wooden cutting boards are safe to use as recent research has shown that bacteria don't thrive ... | |
| ham | 8/15/2009 |
| Q: I took them out of freezer left them out to thaw over night and the whole next day and its hot temp. ... A: Plain and simple.....NO! Defrosting meat at room temperature is a recipe for potential illness. ... | |
| kidney bean | 8/10/2009 |
| Q: carol I read a book which says if you boil kidney beans, you need to uncover the pan, because the ... A: The reason to soak the beans is to soften them and make them easier to cook in a shorter amount of ... | |
| ham in car over the weekend | 8/10/2009 |
| Q: My 8 year old son ate two large bites of deli ham that had been in the car for at least 3 days in 95 ... A: While it is possible that the ham sandwich will not make your son ill, the chances for food borne ... | |
| Potluck Dinner Food Safety | 8/10/2009 |
| Q: I took a spaghetti meat casserole to a potluck dinner where it sat out for five hours. I brought ... A: The recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods (foods capable of supporting the ... | |
| leftover turkey | 8/10/2009 |
| Q: we grilled a turkey breast a week ago....today I found the leftover meat in the refrigerator. is ... A: The general recommendation for leftover poultry is to refrigerate and use within 3-4 days for ... | |
| fish | 8/10/2009 |
| Q: Can you still eat fish if you have it vacuum sealed frozen, sit it out for about 15 hours to thaw ... A: While vacuum sealing does increase both the refrigerator and freezer shelf life of fish, it is still ... | |
| kidney bean | 8/9/2009 |
| Q: carol I read a book which says if you boil kidney beans, you need to uncover the pan, because the ... A: I am not aware of a harmful gas produced when cooking kidney beans. All beans have indigestible ... | |
| tomato sauce in fridge for a month | 8/9/2009 |
| Q: I had a glass jar of tomato sauce in my fridge. It was opened about a month ago. I heated it up in ... A: The general recommendation for opened tomato products is to use within 1 week, though the product ... | |
| healthy eating | 8/9/2009 |
| Q: Carol I am very serious about food and I try to eat as healthy and fresh as I can. I seldom eat ... A: First, congratulations for trying to eat a healthier diet that is closer to Mother Nature. While I ... | |
| Raw meat left out | 8/5/2009 |
| Q: My husband purchased a 10 lb. sirloin roast last evening. It was left unrefrigerated (accidentally) ... A: It's not known whether the sirloin roast is still safe to freeze, cook and consume. Could be...then ... | |
| Is eating expired oatmeal okay? | 8/5/2009 |
| Q: I'm hoping you can help me. This morning, I ate oatmeal from an instant single-serving packet by ... A: The "best is used by" date on cereal is just that -- a recommendation on the quality of the product. ... | |
| cooked enchiladas left out | 8/5/2009 |
| Q: I made some chicken enchiladas last night and put the leftovers in a tupperware with a lid in the ... A: If you were a restaurant the answer would be "YES" -- pitch. The FDA food code states that a ... | |
| Milk | 8/4/2009 |
| Q: Carol I have a question about milk. My organic milk was expired on that day. It looked and smelled ... A: Milk is safe to consume past it's "used by" or "sell by" date -- usually for 4-7 days past this ... | |
| reheating beef stew that was kept hot for hours | 8/3/2009 |
| Q: Is it safe to reheat and serve a beef stew soup again that has been kept hot (almost boiling) in a ... A: Yes, it is considered safe if the stew was cooled down to 41 degrees F or below within 6 hours of ... | |
| BB-Q ribs | 8/3/2009 |
| Q: On Friday night (07 July), I purchased some bbq ribs from a steet vendor, there's a 30-40 minute ... A: Maggots are the larvae of flies and would only be found in meat that has had a mature female fly ... | |
| steak | 8/3/2009 |
| Q: I purchased steak on saturday aug 1st. It did not need to be frozen or used until today monday aug ... A: The steak should be fine to cook and consume. Packaging is designed to keep out dirt and to make it ... | |
| Forgot Salt when Canning Green Beans | 8/3/2009 |
| Q: I forgot to add the salt to the green beans I just canned. Are they still good and for how long? A: Salt is an optional ingredient when canning green beans and is not required to make the beans safe ... | |
| Grilled Chicken left out all night | 8/2/2009 |
| Q: We grilled chicken last night and left it out on the kitchen counter all night. Is it still safe to ... A: Unfortunately, there is no way to tell for sure if the chicken is still safe to eat. What we do ... | |
| vacuum sealing for refrigerator | 8/1/2009 |
| Q: I just bought a honey baked ham and am planning on to seal up individual packets on my food saver. ... A: Vacuum sealing does increase the refrigerator shelf life of products. Normally, refrigerated ham ... | |
| bacon | 8/1/2009 |
| Q: left bacon out all night that was not cooked will it be saft to eat A: It is not safe to leave foods that can easily support the growth of bacteria out overnight and the ... | |
| making cookies and confections at home for retail | 7/31/2009 |
| Q: My neighbor is a mom and a dessert chef. I have never tasted anything close to her cookies. Her ... A: Currently, ony 17 states allow baked goods to be made in a home and sold to the public. For a ... | |
| Follow-up | 7/31/2009 |
| Q: Sorry to have to bother you once more. You gave me a wonderful answer for my recent question ... A: The reason you see inconsistency with the amount of bleach needed to achieve a certain ppm is that ... | |
| Frozen Ground Turkey | 7/30/2009 |
| Q: I saw you'd answered some related questions, but sorry if you'd answered this in the past: A package ... A: It is not recommended to defrost potentially hazardous foods (meats, dairy, fish, poultry) at room ... | |
| Kitchen counter sterilization | 7/30/2009 |
| Q: Recently we had an undetermined insect problem, and subsequently have just had to have the entire ... A: I would use the best, cheapest and most effective sanitizer -- bleach. For non-food contact ... | |
| Canning Salt | 7/30/2009 |
| Q: The recipe I use for making refrigerator dill pickles calls for 1/2 cup of canning salt per batch. ... A: I've submitted your question to Dr. Elizabeth Andress at the National Center for Home Food ... | |
| Ground Turkey | 7/29/2009 |
| Q: I bought some ground turkey (refrigerated) on Saturday (7/25) and plan on making it tonight (7/29), ... A: The original recommendation for use within 1-2 days of purchase was based upon products that were ... | |
| Restauranteur expanding to wholesale | 7/29/2009 |
| Q: A good friend of mine owns two successful bar/restaurants and is entertaining the thought of ... A: For answers to many of your questions, check out this website: ... | |
| consumption of eggs | 7/29/2009 |
| Q: Is it safe to consume eggs from a Duck you suspect of having botulism? A: I do not think duck botulism would be a factor in eggs as botulism is spread by a spore and is not ... | |
| craft sticks used as ice pop sticks | 7/28/2009 |
| Q: I am wondering if it is okay to use "craft sticks" that you buy at the craft store as ice pop sticks ... A: Yes, the craft sticks are safe for making popsickles. As long as they are clean they are safe to ... | |
| In-home candy business in Virginia | 7/28/2009 |
| Q: I am looking to start an in-home cake/candy business, selling chocolate favors and baskets. I saw ... A: Currently 13 states (Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, ... | |
| Food Transporation | 7/28/2009 |
| Q: I have heard of issues after transporting chicken corn soup to a family picnic, etc. It has ... A: Soups should be chilled down to 41 degrees F within 6 hours of making and then transported in such a ... | |
| defrosted but not reheated curry | 7/28/2009 |
| Q: I defrosted but didn't heat up a frozen home-made curry in the microwave last night but then didn't ... A: From your description it sounds like your husband did not keep the curry cold from the time he took ... | |
| premade hamburger patties | 7/27/2009 |
| Q: I defrosted the store made hamburger patties 2 days ago and for some reason didn't use them all. ... A: Yes, as long as the hamburger patties remained cold (below 41 degrees F) they are safe to cook and ... | |
| fridge left open | 7/27/2009 |
| Q: Last night our fridge door was left open lightly. The internal temp this morning was 52 degrees. We ... A: A great website with information on what to keep and what to pitch when the refrigerator either dies ... | |
| home canning | 7/26/2009 |
| Q: Is it ok to take a jar of home canned applesauce that has been in the fridge unopened and put it ... A: As long as the jar of applesauce is sealed and has always been sealed from the time of initial ... | |
| Spaghetti sauce | 7/26/2009 |
| Q: I had some home-made spaghetti sauce that came frozen from my Mom. I thawed it in the frige ... A: Yes, it is safe to refreeze foods that have been defrosted in the refrigerator. As long as you ... | |
| cooking lobster tails after being at room temp | 7/25/2009 |
| Q: I thawed some lobster tails and had out at room temp for about 2 hours. If I put them back in the ... A: While it is not recommended to defrost potentially hazardous foods (meat, fish, poultry, etc) at ... | |
| hot dogs | 7/25/2009 |
| Q: What are the small hard white pieces that I find in hot dogs? I've tried Ball Park angus beef, oscar ... A: As hot dogs are made from the scraps of meat and fat, it is entirely possible that small pieces of ... | |
| food safety | 7/24/2009 |
| Q: took homemade pasta meat sauce out of fridge and forgot it on the counter overnight. will bringing ... A: Reheating foods that have sat out overnight does not automatically make them safe to consume. Meat ... | |
| cheese left in car for four hours | 7/24/2009 |
| Q: I forgot to bring in my cheese and it sat in the car for four hours. It was around 75 degrees ... A: Hard or processed cheeses such as cheddar, Swiss, etc can be left at room temperature but the ... | |
| chocolate safety | 7/23/2009 |
| Q: i am eating angel treat bags which are repackaged hershey dark chocolates at a lower price. ... A: Hershey's is correct...the date is placed on the package to ensure a high quality product and is not ... | |
| re-freezing fresh corn | 7/23/2009 |
| Q: We picked our corn, cut it off the cob, and froze it in packages. We took it out and put it in an ... A: If you are asking will the corn still be safe to consume -- the answer is yes. If you are asking ... | |
| Selling baked goods on-line in Illinois | 7/23/2009 |
| Q: I'm interested in setting up a website based in Illinois to sell tea breads and cakes made in my ... A: In Illinois, the Food Code states that all foods made for resale shall be prepared in an inspected ... | |
| uncooked cabbage | 7/23/2009 |
| Q: How long does uncooked cabbage last while refrigerated? A: Uncooked cabbage in head form will last in the refrigerator, in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer ... | |
| HAM SPOILAGE | 7/23/2009 |
| Q: CAROL, When hams or ham steak is on sale I usually stock up. A couple of time this past year I ... A: Whenever a meat product's packaging "puffs up" in the refrigerator, this is a sign that food ... | |
| frozen fish | 7/22/2009 |
| Q: I had fish that i caught while i was in Alaska sent to me in calif.The company that handled the fish ... A: As long as the fish still had ice crystals (not completely defrosted) the fish would be safe to ... | |
| Stainless steel utensil vs type of food | 7/21/2009 |
| Q: Are stainless steel utensil, e.g bowl, plate, pot etc, safe to keep for all types of food ? I heard ... A: Stainless steel is the metal of choice for food preparation as it is non-reactive with all types of ... | |
| Food Safety | 7/21/2009 |
| Q: I know that properly cooked beef and chicken on the same plate are ok.. but, is ok to put raw ... A: Yes, it is safe to skewer raw beef and chicken together on a shish kabob. I would not hold ... | |
| cooked chicken storage | 7/21/2009 |
| Q: How risky is eating cooked chicken after 5 days of refrigeration, if refrigerated promptly and ... A: I'd say the risk is rather low for 5-day old properly refrigerated cooked chicken. If the chicken ... | |
| Jars of spaghetti sauce | 7/21/2009 |
| Q: what is the shelf life? I was cleaning out a friends mothers' kitchen and they might have been ... A: Most spaghetti sauce manufacturers recommend using their product within 1 1/2 to 2 years of ... | |
| Beef safety Q | 7/20/2009 |
| Q: I put stew meat from the frig in to the crock pot with all of the ingredients for stew this morning ... A: As the stew ingredients were out of refrigeration only 3 hours before turning on the crock pot, it ... | |
| fresh eggs | 7/20/2009 |
| Q: How long can fresh eggs be left out before refrigerating? Thank you. A: The general recommendation for eggs is that they should be refrigerated within 4 hours to 45 degrees ... | |
| cooked cabbage and noodles | 7/20/2009 |
| Q: I made halushki (cabbage and noodles) last week,is it still edible? I kept it in a really cold ... A: The general recommendation for leftovers is to use within 3-5 days for maximum safety and quality. ... | |
| commercial oil | 7/20/2009 |
| Q: i'm 19 and a very ambitious chef. I've been searching everyone on making infused oils that will ... A: I'm not aware of a home-version of commercially acidifying flavored oils so do not have a "recipe" ... | |
| Food safety issue | 7/20/2009 |
| Q: For how long unsalted butter can be kept at 10 degree centigrade A: At ten degrees centigrate, butter will probably last a few days to a week before starting to show ... | |
| food storage safety | 7/19/2009 |
| Q: I cooked a tomato sauce using canned tomatoes, onion and garlic----i sauteed chicken thighs first ... A: Leaving potetntially hazardous foods like chicken out overnight is a recipe for food borne illness. ... | |
| Hot drink containers | 7/18/2009 |
| Q: When serving hot soup to a group of around 50 people, are all containers safe? What about foam cups? ... A: As long as a food container is rated for hot foods it is safe to use with hot soup. Foam cups are ... | |
| Baked Potatoes | 7/16/2009 |
| Q: I baked potatoes in the microwave last night, took one I ate & forgot to put the rest in the fridge ... A: The general recommendation for all cooked carbohydrates (vegetables, pasta, rice, etc) that has sat ... | |
| re-heating queso in a crock pot | 7/16/2009 |
| Q: I made some Queso for a recent birthday party and brought the leftover queso to work for my co ... A: As long as the dip is handled properly it should be safe to go through multiple coolings/reheatings. ... | |
| Preserving Yougurt & Strawberries | 7/16/2009 |
| Q: I'd like to take a quart of fresh strawberries and mince them up into a quart or half gallon of ... A: The yogurt mixture should be safe in your refrigerator up to 7 days. Mixtures containing fruits like ... | |
| roast | 7/15/2009 |
| Q: i cooked a 3lb roast for a good 6hrs on low in my crock pot i turned it off because its bed time i ... A: It is not recommended to partially cook meat one day, refrigerate and then continue to cook the next ... | |
| shelf life of smoked beef brisket | 7/15/2009 |
| Q: I recently purchases a fully cooked smoked beef brisket (Sadler's brand) and I was wondering how ... A: Once opened, meat can be safely refrigerated up to 3-4 days. If you want to use it past this ... | |
| defrosted meat | 7/15/2009 |
| Q: I defrosted a frozen pork loin a week ago and have kept it in the refrigerator since....is it okay ... A: The general recommendation for defrosted pork is to use within 3-4 days of defrost. As your pork ... | |
| Food safety | 7/15/2009 |
| Q: I used to work at a deli and took several courses on food handling and safety. I now live with my ... A: Yes...there is a lot of information on the internet on the dangers of leaving foods that should be ... | |
| Frozen Meat Storage Containers | 7/13/2009 |
| Q: We have a commercial freezer where our beef, pork, turkey and chicken products are stored awaiting ... A: I suggest you contact a restaurant supply business for freezer storage containers. Cambro makes a ... | |
| Food safety | 7/13/2009 |
| Q: A raw, frozen, vacuum-sealed pork roast of 2-3 lbs, thawed in the sink for about 8 hours and then ... A: First, it is not recommended to defrost meat at room temperature in the sink as the warm temperature ... | |
| vacuum packed pulled pork | 7/12/2009 |
| Q: A friend gave me a vacuumed packed bag of cooked pulled pork in barbecue sauce. It unfortunately ... A: When food capable of supporting the growth of bacteria such as pork is left out of refrigertion ... | |
| Keeping Food Warm | 7/12/2009 |
| Q: Is there a way to keep food warm that does not dry out or continue to cook (I have limited space) ... A: Food needs to be kept at 135 degrees or above to be considered safe. Placing sealed food in ... | |
| Canned Salmon and Mercury... | 7/12/2009 |
| Q: I eat a canned of Bubblebee Wild Alaska Salmon (pink) everyday (I like it), however I am concern ... A: The FDA recommends that fish consumption should be limited to 12 ounces per week with the majority ... | |
| Ice cream shop dipper well | 7/11/2009 |
| Q: I am installing a dipper well in my ice cream shop. Can I run the drain directly into the drain ... A: Most food codes state that all refrigeration units, steam tables, salad bars, ice machines, dipper ... | |
| ribs defrosted too long...maybe? | 7/11/2009 |
| Q: I was defrosting ribs (vac sealed from store) in a cooler in my house (nothing was in the cooler but ... A: Sorry I could not anwer this question until Sunday morning. When you say nothing was in the cooler ... | |
| home made tomato pasta sauce | 7/11/2009 |
| Q: Is it safe to leave home made tomato sauce in the stainless pot to cool at room temperature, or best ... A: It is best to cool the tomato sauce slightly (30 minutes) and then place the sauce in smaller, ... | |
| Traveling with vacuum sealed muffins | 7/11/2009 |
| Q: I would like to travel on my motorcycle out west for two weeks, camping as opposed to hoteling, and ... A: Since you don't normally refrigerate them they will be safe without being cooled during your trip. ... | |
| Raw Pork Loin | 7/11/2009 |
| Q: I took an 8-9 pound pork loin out of the fridge and placed it in the roaster oven. 3 hours later I ... A: I think your pork loin will be fine...here's why: According to the 2005 FDA food code, if a food ... | |
| pork tenderloin | 7/10/2009 |
| Q: I bought some fresh pork tenderloin and cubed the meat to make kebobs. I marinated it with lemon ... A: The general recommendation for raw pork in the refrigerator is to use within 3-4 days (marinated or ... | |
| thawed too long | 7/10/2009 |
| Q: I left a frozen steak out for 8 hours it is not room temperature, but is not cold. Can I cook and ... A: The recommendation is to not cook and consume the steak as being 8 hours at room temperature is the ... | |
| Traveling with vacuum sealed muffins | 7/10/2009 |
| Q: I would like to travel on my motorcycle out west for two weeks, camping as opposed to hoteling, and ... A: Would you normally refrigerate these muffins at home? If so, vacuum sealing them - while helping ... | |
| frezzing fresh tomato sauce | 7/10/2009 |
| Q: I have a lot of tomatoes that I want to cook down to sauce before I frezze them,is it safe? I do not ... A: Yes, this is perfectly safe. Prepare your sauce, cool rapidly, pack into rigid containers leaving ... | |
| Frozen Lunch Meat | 7/10/2009 |
| Q: I left frozen lunch meat and cheese in my car overnight from 8pm until 10am the next morning. When ... A: The general recommendation for all potentially hazardous foods (meat, dairy, fish, poultry, etc) ... | |
| fermenting chile peppers | 7/9/2009 |
| Q: My main goal was to take Chiles with citrus (whole fruits, skin and all), garlic, salt and other ... A: As I am not familiar with and not experience with fermenting chiles, I do not have any specific ... | |
| smoked pork | 7/9/2009 |
| Q: I smoked a pork butt for 8 hours. When I took it out I put it in my crock pot to cook some more. I ... A: The general recommendation is to not consume meat that has been out of temperature range for more ... | |
| raw hamburger meat left out | 7/9/2009 |
| Q: a 5 lb. hamburger package was left out on counter last night accidentally without being put in the ... A: The recommendation is to not consume meat that has been at room temperature over 2 hours. While the ... | |
| commercial food seals popping | 7/8/2009 |
| Q: I have found about 15 lids popped in my food storage. These are commercial packed jars, not home ... A: Are you sure someone hasn't tampered with the jars wince you put them in storage? It is highly ... | |
| food safety | 7/8/2009 |
| Q: Will cooked spagetti with hamburger in it make you sick if you eat it after its been sitting out for ... A: Yes, it is possible for a potentially hazardous food (meat, cooked carbohydrate like spaghetti ... | |
| RE: expired vacuum pack pork loin | 7/7/2009 |
| Q: I have a pork loin that is vacuum packed from the manufacturer. The date on it is June 15. It ... A: I think the date on the package is a sell-by date and if this is true the pork loin should be safe ... | |
| bq ribs | 7/7/2009 |
| Q: for the 4th of july we had bq ribs 2days later my husband found some kind of worms in them. what ... A: I have no idea what worm (I assume dead since your meat was cooked) could be in your BBQ ribs. The ... | |
| chicken | 7/6/2009 |
| Q: How long can you keep chicken in the refrigerator without cooking it before it spoils? I bought it ... A: The general recommendation for uncooked poultry is to refrigerate 1-2 days after purchase or thawing ... | |
| farm fresh laid eggs | 7/6/2009 |
| Q: my freind gave me 3 dozen fresh eggs that had just been laid by her chickens. and I drove from ... A: Yes, your eggs should be okay to use. In many countries eggs are not refrigerated and remain fresh ... | |
| Vaccum Sealed Burgers | 7/5/2009 |
| Q: I am in Iraq, Im wondering if my wife could buy some Krystal burgers,, cooked of course.. Vacuum ... A: First...thank you for your service in Iraq. I do appreciate your willingness to protect my freedom ... | |
| Marinated chicken | 7/5/2009 |
| Q: How long can I keep a marinated chicken having spices and yogurt on it without refrigeration.How can ... A: The recommendation for unrefrigerated chicken is 2 hours so taking marinated chicken, ... | |
| refreeze meat sauce | 7/5/2009 |
| Q: I would like to know if it is safe to freeze a lasagna that was made with meat sauce that was ... A: Yes, it is safe to freeze foods that have been made from foods that have been previously frozen and ... | |
| HACCP and 4/2 Hrs rules | 7/4/2009 |
| Q: where can I find some documentable evidences that canned foods such as tomato sauce (cooked or ... A: I'm not aware of a comprehensive listing of water activity for foods like pH but the following text ... | |
| HACCP and 4/2 Hrs rules | 7/4/2009 |
| Q: where can I find some documentable evidences that canned foods such as tomato sauce (cooked or ... A: For a listing of pH of foods, check out: http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/lacf-phs.html If your ... | |
| beef brisket safety question | 7/3/2009 |
| Q: I slow-cooked a beef brisket last night, but forgot to put it into the refridgerator until this ... A: The recommendation is not consume meat and other potentially hazardous foods (foods capable of ... | |
| butter safety | 7/3/2009 |
| Q: My partner always leaves the butter out of the refrigerator so it's easy to spread. However, we are ... A: As you are well aware, keeping butter at room temperature is not harmful but does cause it to go ... | |
| Frozen Chickens | 7/2/2009 |
| Q: yesterday i defrosted quite a few frozen chickens at room temperature for about 5 hours. i then ... A: Yes, it is not recommended to defrost meat and poultry at room temperature as this is a perfect ... | |
| Unplugged Freezer | 7/2/2009 |
| Q: Today I discovered that my large chest freezer (which was full) had been unplugged when a plumber ... A: No, no other protective clothing is needed as food borne illness bacteria will not be of concern ... | |
| Preserving cream sauce | 7/2/2009 |
| Q: I have a recipe for a cream sauce that I would like to market. I've done some testing and found the ... A: For a cream sauce you will have 2 options -- can it using a commercial canner or package it for a ... | |
| food preservation using aluminium coated bags | 7/1/2009 |
| Q: There is a case where fruits and vegetables stay fresh even after a week it is placed in a plastic ... A: I'm not familiar with aluminum bags extending the life of fruits and vegetables. In the US we have ... | |
| red and green peppers | 6/30/2009 |
| Q: I grilled our peppers last night and didn't get them put away. I wanted to use them in chili today ... A: While the chances are good your peppers are still safe, unfortunately the recommendation is to not ... | |
| Foods to keep after power outage? | 6/29/2009 |
| Q: Recently I came home from work to find my electric was out. I had a fully stocked fridge and ... A: Condiments like soy sauce, mustard, catsup are okay as is the butter and onion. Shredded cheeses ... | |
| cooling food for refrigerator | 6/29/2009 |
| Q: I cooked a pot of beans with sausage. They are still piping hot. How cool should they be before I ... A: It's best to let very hot foods to cool down for at least 30 minutes or so before placing in the ... | |
| aluminum foil | 6/29/2009 |
| Q: Is there any risk in heating food in aluminum foil instead of cookware? Is it okay to use the same ... A: It is perfectly safe to cook in aluminum foil as "packet" cooking is quite popular. For numerous ... | |
| canned food storage | 6/28/2009 |
| Q: I would like to when we see the shelf life of a can (for example 2 years), it means at which ... A: Can good shelf life is based upon storing in a cool, clean & dry place where the temperature ... | |
| Spaghetti meat sauce. | 6/27/2009 |
| Q: I made home made meat sauce (ground beef) last Saturday and I am wondering if it is still ok this ... A: Sorry I could not answer you sooner. The general guideline for all meat leftovers is to use them ... | |
| Food safety of pies | 6/27/2009 |
| Q: I have read other questions on pies and I understand that any pie without eggs or dairy products ... A: Fruit pies can be safely kept at room temperature even with a small amount of butter used to "dot" ... | |
| uncooked bacon left in car overnight | 6/26/2009 |
| Q: I neglected to carry a grocery bag in from the car. It contained sealed-in-the-package bacon and ... A: The general recommendation for all meat products -- sealed or unsealed, cooked or uncooked -- is ... | |
| Unplugged Freezer | 6/25/2009 |
| Q: Carol: We have an upright freezer with approx. 1/2 beef cow inside. All foods are vacuum packed ... A: What a rude welcome home! As long as the meat had ice crystals (in other words not completely ... | |
| Ahi Tuna Safety | 6/25/2009 |
| Q: I would like to cook seared Ahi Tuna tonight for dinner and I have never cooked it before. I am a ... A: It is safe to cook fresh tuna within 48 hours of purchase so your fish is safe to sear and consume ... | |
| Pork chops | 6/25/2009 |
| Q: If pork chops were removed from freezer, thawed and then put back in regular fridge in the same ... A: From your description you are telling me that the pork chops defrosted at room temperature and then ... | |
| cooked whole chicken left out overnight | 6/25/2009 |
| Q: I cooked a whole chicken and forgot to refrigerate it, so it stayed in the oven all night. Is it ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume meats that have sat out overnight -- even in the ... | |
| pork | 6/25/2009 |
| Q: thought that husband had got out package of frozen pork to cook for dinner. Pork seemed kinda warm ... A: Actually there is nothing you can do at this stage but wait and see. Cooking would have killed any ... | |
| pickeled eggs | 6/24/2009 |
| Q: how do i store pickeled eggs? may they sit out after being opened? A: Purchased pickeled eggs can be stored in dry storage until opened and then must be refrigerated. ... | |
| ground beef | 6/24/2009 |
| Q: I'm finding answers all over the place with respect to how long cooked hamburger meat can be kept ... A: According to USDA (for consumers), cooked ground beef can be safely refrigerated up to 4 days. If ... | |
| Kittamor Stainless Steel | 6/24/2009 |
| Q: I recently bought a stainless steel water bottle. Then I read that it was made in China and I'm ... A: Stainless steel used for making cookware, eating utensil, etc does contain chrome and nickel alloys ... | |
| Mold on berries | 6/24/2009 |
| Q: My expensive black raspberries got mold the same day that they were picked (since I did not ... A: The recommendation is to not consume soft foods including berries, soft cheese, jams and jellies, ... | |
| Kittamor Stainless Steel | 6/23/2009 |
| Q: I recently bought a stainless steel water bottle. Then I read that it was made in China and I'm ... A: I would not be concerned about a stainless steel water bottle as it is not possible for stainless ... | |
| Cheesecake and Pregnancy | 6/23/2009 |
| Q: I am 27 weeks and 5 days pregnant and went to a party. They were serving Costco cheesecake which is ... A: I would think your risk of food borne illness for you and your baby are very, very low. As your ... | |
| Open Cans in Fridge | 6/22/2009 |
| Q: My mother in law tends to open cans of different types of food, vegetables, fruit, chicken broth, ... A: While it's not the best practice to refrigerate leftover food in the original can it's not really ... | |
| Eggs | 6/22/2009 |
| Q: Is there a way to test eggs besides cracking them to see if they are good? A: There are several methods to determine if an egg is old but not if it is still edible without ... | |
| steak fridge life | 6/22/2009 |
| Q: I took out two flank steaks from the freezer. I defrosted them in the refrigerator, but it took two ... A: From your description, the steaks were placed in the refrigerator on Saturday and were fully ... | |
| commerically cannned vegatables | 6/22/2009 |
| Q: My son recently saw a TV show claming that commercially canned vegetables were not safe to eat. He ... A: The concern is over the chemical Bisphenol A. While this chemical has been associated with plastic ... | |
| Dented cans | 6/22/2009 |
| Q: For safety, I've always tossed cans with any dents at all. Any guidance will be helpful - thanks!! A: A dent that does not compromise the can (ie -- cause a break or leak) is still safe to consume the ... | |
| after thawing pork | 6/21/2009 |
| Q: I have left a one inch pork steak out on the counter in its package, how long can it be left out ... A: The recommendation for meat and other foods which should be kept cold (41 degrees or below) is that ... | |
| Gammon Joint | 6/21/2009 |
| Q: Please could you help, i accidently left a gammon joint out overnight (Vacuum pack) could you tell ... A: The general recommendation for all meats (vacuum packed or not) is if they are out of refrigeration ... | |
| unrefrigerated smoked food | 6/20/2009 |
| Q: How long could we keep heated smoked pork ribs at room temperature. A: The general recommendation for meat to be at room temperature for consumers is 2 hours, 1 hour if ... | |
| Vacuum sealed unopen black forest ham slices. | 6/20/2009 |
| Q: I left a package of Tyson black forest ham slices, I bought from the store at 11:45pm last night, ... A: The recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods (foods that are easily capable of ... | |
| Chili left out overnight | 6/19/2009 |
| Q: I left a huge pot of chili on the stove to cool last night and forgot to refrigerate it before bed. ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not reheat and eat foods capable of supporting the growth of ... | |
| spots on aluminum foil | 6/18/2009 |
| Q: I just rolled out a new sheet of aluminium foil (unused) and I noticed it had some small spots on it ... A: If an acid came in contact with the foil, tiny dark spots can develop and even tiny holes. It ... | |
| buttermilk or sour cream homemade salad dressing | 6/18/2009 |
| Q: how long can a homemade mayo and buttermilk (or sour cream) dressing last in the fridge? i make ... A: The recommendation I gave was a general one -- not specific to every dressing made. Recommendations ... | |
| food safety | 6/16/2009 |
| Q: Are they safe to eat? A: While they may be safe to consume, it is also possible that they are now teaming with harmful ... | |
| expiration date | 6/16/2009 |
| Q: I have a package of hamburger that was frozen one day after the date to be sold by, can I still use ... A: The sell by date on foods is designed for the grocery store to maintain high-quality product. It ... | |
| hamburger meat left in unplugged freezer | 6/15/2009 |
| Q: I was out of town for about 5 days and our fridge/freezer was unplugged. The fridge doors were never ... A: It depends upon what the temperature was when you discovered the unplugged freezer. If the meat was ... | |
| Bread mold | 6/11/2009 |
| Q: What happens if you ingest moldy bread? A: While it is unusual to develop symptoms after eating mold, it is possible. Eating mold can cause an ... | |
| State food inspection cert. | 6/11/2009 |
| Q: I would like to know if there is different 'levels' or such of certificates. The reason I am asking ... A: To be a certified kitchen you must have a 3 compartment sink, hand sink, backflow devise on your ... | |
| Buffet Safety | 6/10/2009 |
| Q: Is there a rule of thumb for throwing away food after you have set it out for a party? I have a ton ... A: The general rule of thumb for foods that should be either hot or cold is if they sit out more than 2 ... | |
| Fresh egg pasta. | 6/10/2009 |
| Q: I made a batch of fresh egg pasta, used half of it and put the rest of the un-rolled and cut dough ... A: Normally it is best to store egg pasta in the refrigerator that has first been dried for at least 1 ... | |
| spoiled chicken | 6/10/2009 |
| Q: I left five packages of chicken (very cold but not frozen) stacked out on the counter in a rush ... A: The general rule of thumb is to not allow raw meat or poultry sit at room temperature over 2 hours. ... | |
| alfredo sauce | 6/10/2009 |
| Q: i have a jar of Bertolli Alfredo sauce in the pantry never opened and i can't remember when i bought ... A: I'm unsure of Bertolli code sequence for their products but I would say it appears that the "Best if ... | |
| Garlic mayo and chilli sauce | 6/9/2009 |
| Q: my name is yasir and i own a small takeaway. i have my own home made garlic sauce and chilli sauce ... A: As I am not familiar with the laws in the UK for selling products to the public I will give you the ... | |
| food regulations | 6/8/2009 |
| Q: so heres my question. if i have certified kitchen, which i do, and i want to cook and freeze my food ... A: I believe it is safe to store frozen foods prepared in a certified kitchen in another freezer away ... | |
| hot dogs | 6/8/2009 |
| Q: I bought about 6 packages of hotdogs and the bag got left on the floor by the fridge overnight. I ... A: Yes -- the answer, unfortunately, is to pitch the hot dogs. All meats, raw or cooked, that have ... | |
| Coconut milk | 6/4/2009 |
| Q: I live in Thailand. Thai people universally believe that coconut milk is one of the most easily ... A: I was referring to canned coconut milk which as an unopened can is not considered a potentially ... | |
| pork tenderlion | 6/3/2009 |
| Q: I have bacon wrapped tenderloins that were bought frozen and vacuum sealed. I put them in ... A: Normally the recommendation for defrosted whole muscle pork is to use within 3-4 days. Vacuum ... | |
| Pork Tenderloin | 6/3/2009 |
| Q: I cooked a pork tenderloin, shut the oven off, and forgot to take it out of the oven. It stayed in ... A: Unfortunately, there is no way short of laboratory testing to see if your porkloin is still safe. ... | |
| Dirty Pan with mold that turned air borne | 6/2/2009 |
| Q: I went to visit my grandfather who is in his Late 70's. I couldn't help but notice the pile of dirty ... A: Inhaled mold and fungus can cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions in sensitive ... | |
| "Fake" burgers and dogs | 6/2/2009 |
| Q: I’m a vegetarian and I was wondering whether “tofu-dogs”, “veggie burgers”, and other fake meat ... A: The recommendations for cooling and heating are the same for vegan and meat products. If you ... | |
| canning chicken noodle soup | 6/2/2009 |
| Q: is it safe to can chicken noodle soup by putting in jars after cooking and then water bath A: No, it is not safe to can chicken noodle soup using a hot water bath. In fact it is not recommended ... | |
| Mold on Communion Bread Pieces | 6/2/2009 |
| Q: Recently, my son's church had Communion. He ate a Communion that had mold on it (he had already ... A: I believe you should consult with your physician who could do testing to determine if it is just a ... | |
| meat storage or transportation temperatures | 6/1/2009 |
| Q: Are there Federal storage or transportation temperature guidelines for cooked and raw meat products? ... A: The 2005 FDA Food Code, chapter 3, specifies that all potentially hazardous foods including meat ... | |
| Venison Burger | 6/1/2009 |
| Q: I pulled some venison burger out of the freezer one week ago and never grilled it. it is vacum ... A: The general recommendation for defrosted ground meat is to use within 2-3 days of defrost. Vacuum ... | |
| pickled eggs | 6/1/2009 |
| Q: If I place eggs in hot brine, in standard canning jars and use the following method: "I always have ... A: I can only recommend a recipe for pickeled eggs that is both research-based and tested to ensure a ... | |
| cooked meat | 5/31/2009 |
| Q: I left a cooked turkey burger in my lunch bag while i slept for about 9hrs is it not safe to eat now ... A: There is no way of telling if the turkey burger is still safe. All we know is that cooked meats left ... | |
| left out sealed meat | 5/31/2009 |
| Q: My wife bought some hormel diced ham. It is fully cooked and packed in water. It fell out of a bag ... A: This is not a dumb question as it's the number one question I get on this website. Since we don't ... | |
| preserving bbq sauce | 5/31/2009 |
| Q: I want to sell my bbq sauce but I need to figure out how to preserve it in plastic bottles and I was ... A: I suggest that you contact a university-based food entrepreneurial center for assistance in bottling ... | |
| egg question from valerie | 5/29/2009 |
| Q: Wow, twice you totally skirted around Valeries question about keeping raw eggs in an airtight ... A: I'm sorry you feel I skirted the question. The container Valerie was asking about is not designed ... | |
| non-refrigerator items | 5/29/2009 |
| Q: I am starting a home based bakery and my state limits food that needs refrigeration. I can't ... A: While having a HACCP plan may show the inspector that you understand food safety and the hazards ... | |
| Hamburger thawing | 5/28/2009 |
| Q: I took two pounds of hamburger from the freezer about three days ago and placed them in the ... A: Yes, the hamburger should be still safe to cook and consume. As a general rule, fresh hamburger ... | |
| tabasco | 5/28/2009 |
| Q: I am 20 yrs old, and I found that I put Tabasco on nearly everything I eat. ...that and franks ... A: It is entirely possible to be addicted to capsaicin -- the active ingredient in hot sauce. This is ... | |
| pork | 5/28/2009 |
| Q: I ate grilled pork in a restaurant the other day. It was pink in the center. I sent it back to ... A: Yes -- whole muscle meat pork can be safely served at 155 degrees F. At this temperature pork can ... | |
| food left out over night | 5/27/2009 |
| Q: I left out egg salad overnight and I just want to know if it would be safe to eat. The room temp ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods (foods capable of ... | |
| grilling food | 5/26/2009 |
| Q: I've heard of harmful carcinogens in grilled meat, but is that for meat that has been cooked on a ... A: There is no set recommendation on what is considered a safe amount of grilled meats to consume. ... | |
| Food being left out | 5/26/2009 |
| Q: I cooked a meal of spag. sauce, pasta, and mixed vegetables. Because they were extremely hot I left ... A: A large pot of warm food left at room temperature has an increased risk for food borne illness. As ... | |
| grilling food | 5/26/2009 |
| Q: I've heard of harmful carcinogens in grilled meat, but is that for meat that has been cooked on a ... A: Yes, there has been much written in the past few years on the dangers of consuming charred meats and ... | |
| porkloin | 5/25/2009 |
| Q: I came across a pork loin roast in my freezer I forgot about that has been frozen solid for 2 years. ... A: Yes, the pork loin is safe to defrost, cook and consume. The quality of the pork loin will probably ... | |
| safe to use | 5/25/2009 |
| Q: I am making some jam and have left diced Kumquats and oranges in water for 24 hours on the bench in ... A: While it's not wise to leave cut fruits in water at 19 degrees C (66 degrees F) for 24 hours, I ... | |
| Heating food in a foam container | 5/25/2009 |
| Q: Today I heated some left over chicken in the microwave inside a foam food container for 2 minutes, ... A: I would say that removing the area of food that came in contact with the melted foam is sufficient ... | |
| Use or Freeze by date - red meat | 5/24/2009 |
| Q: I was starting to marinate a flank steak and noticed the use or freeze by date was 7 days ago. Is ... A: Yes, it is still possible the meat is okay to use. I assume that the steak still looks good, smells ... | |
| Thawing chicken | 5/24/2009 |
| Q: my mom left a whole frozen chicken in the sink to thaw at room temperature before she went to work. ... A: The 4 recommended ways to safely defrost meat include in the refrigerator (the most desired method), ... | |
| eggs storage & safety | 5/24/2009 |
| Q: We are going on vacation, 6 hour drive. I want to take a large number of eggs with us. Can I ... A: Why must the eggs be cracked? If you travel with the whole eggs in a cooler, keeping the eggs cold ... | |
| hamburger meat | 5/24/2009 |
| Q: I mixed olive oil, egg, bread crumbs to raw meat. Rolled it into meat balls, cooked it in the oven ... A: If the meatballs were completely cooked to an internal temperature of at least 155 degrees F before ... | |
| Storing a marinated pork shoulder | 5/23/2009 |
| Q: I was intending on cooking the shoulder today and placed in a marinade around 1030 this morning. ... A: It is not harmful to allow meat to marinate for several days in the refrigerator. The surface of the ... | |
| CCP For production of chocolate ganache | 5/23/2009 |
| Q: i would like to know what are the CCPs for the production of chocolate ganache.Because i work for a ... A: I've been doing some research of spoilage in ganache and chocolate products and it is related to the ... | |
| Food safety | 5/22/2009 |
| Q: I accidentally left 2 packages of meat, which were frozen solid, out of the freezer overnight; ... A: It is not recommended to defrost meat at room temperature because of the increase chances for ... | |
| Smoked Salmon | 5/22/2009 |
| Q: I defrosted a package of smoked salmon 10 days ago...it is in an unopened vacumm sealed package...is ... A: Depending upon the process used and temperature of the smoke, vacuum sealed smoked salmon can be ... | |
| 2 yr old drank some spoiled pineapple juice | 5/22/2009 |
| Q: my 2 yr old grabbed a thrown away can of pineapple juice and drank some of the dregs....it smelled ... A: Fortunately, spoiled food caused by food spoilage organisms do not make you ill. They make food ... | |
| frozen pizza production | 5/20/2009 |
| Q: I own a gourmet pizza restaurant and am looking to branch out into frozen pizzas. I'm in Florida ... A: I don't know anyone specifically in the frozen pizza production in Florida but Roy Costa, a food ... | |
| Pesto | 5/19/2009 |
| Q: I defrosted some home made pesto yesterday and accidentally left it out on the counter for almost 5 ... A: Chances are your homemade basil pesto was not contaminated with the Clostridium botulinium spore, ... | |
| Grilling | 5/19/2009 |
| Q: I've been reading how marinating meats before grilling significantly reduces the cancer causing ... A: I'm not aware of any research on dry herbs and spices and their effect on reducing the production of ... | |
| freezing food | 5/19/2009 |
| Q: I am going to make grilled vegetable (eggplant, bell pepper, zucchini) lasagna with a putanesca ... A: Yes, it should be okay to freeze your grilled vegetable lasagna. You can either defrost in the ... | |
| Can i leave frosted cake out overnight? | 5/19/2009 |
| Q: You have already answered the subject line questions but with your answer I was wondering what you ... A: Commercially processed frostings are safe to leave at room temperature -- even the cream cheese ... | |
| spaghetti sauce with meat | 5/18/2009 |
| Q: I made a big pot of sauce yesterday. It was still very hot at 9:00 pm. I forgot to put it the ... A: Yes -- boiling will kill any live bacteria but that's not all you have to worry about when you leave ... | |
| pie safety | 5/18/2009 |
| Q: Your post to Carol was very helpful. When you say a pie is safe without refrigeration if it does ... A: It only applies to crusts made with potentially hazardous foods -- eggs, meats, fish, dairy. ... | |
| Corned Beef Correct Date on Pkg?? | 5/17/2009 |
| Q: I bought a package of corned beef back in March. The sell by date on the package is a bit distorted ... A: From March to June sounds like too long of time for a piece of refrigerated meat to be considered ... | |
| Re-freezing sherbet | 5/17/2009 |
| Q: I bought some individual cups of sherbet last night and forgot to put them in the freezer. Can they ... A: If they were fully defrosted -- no. If they still contained ice crystals (soft but still slightly ... | |
| pie safety | 5/17/2009 |
| Q: Your post to Carol was very helpful. When you say a pie is safe without refrigeration if it does ... A: Yes, I was referring to the filling when talking about fruits pies being safe kept at room ... | |
| Chicken Soup | 5/16/2009 |
| Q: I've just made a large qty of chicken vegie soup in the slow cooker. I have just switched it off. ... A: You can let it cool down slightly -- say for 1 hour -- and then package the soup in shallow ... | |
| I need expert help | 5/16/2009 |
| Q: I've been a frozen food department manger for 6 months. My company piles dairy and dry goods ... A: There are 3 books that may be beneficial to you: 1. Food Safety in the Hospitality Industry by Tim ... | |
| Selling cakes from home/Alabama laws | 5/14/2009 |
| Q: I read in a post that as of April 2009 it is OK to sell baked goods from home in Alabama. I make ... A: After closer reading of the new Alabama law that went into effect April 23, 2009, the selling of ... | |
| POWDERED MILK EXP | 5/14/2009 |
| Q: I bought a container of powdered whole milk for my 1 yr old and didnt notice it expired a year ago, ... A: I bet the date on the container was a "best if used by" date -- not an expiration date. The best of ... | |
| Rhubarb sauce | 5/13/2009 |
| Q: I made some rhubarb sauce last night and left it in the pan. I forgot to stick it in the fridge and ... A: Yes, the rhubarb sauce should be fine to consume. Fruits sweetened with sugar are safe to keep at ... | |
| refreezing homemad tomato sauce | 5/13/2009 |
| Q: Can I refreeze homemade tomato sauce, (no meat) after I defrosted it. I thawed too much and hate to ... A: Yes, you can refreeze tomato sauce that has been previously frozen. Technically, you can ... | |
| air-tight egg storage | 5/13/2009 |
| Q: I received a Lock & Lock egg storage container for Mother's Day. It is an air- and water-tight ... A: I'm not aware of any safety problems in storing raw shelled eggs in the Lock & Lock egg storage ... | |
| Food Allergy/Spoilage? | 5/13/2009 |
| Q: I eat scrambled eggs and red tomato ketchup on toast about once every other week..4 eggs making 3 ... A: While it is possible to be allergic to eggs, most individuals develop this allergy as children and ... | |
| air-tight egg storage | 5/12/2009 |
| Q: I received a Lock & Lock egg storage container for Mother's Day. It is an air- and water-tight ... A: These egg storage containers are safe to store hard cooked or deviled eggs in the refrigerator. ... | |
| Defrosted Fish | 5/12/2009 |
| Q: I cooked a fish pie a while back and froze it once cooled. I got it out to defrost on Saturday for ... A: The general recommendation for the use of defrosted fish is to use within 2 days of full defrost. I ... | |
| Chicken Defrost Timeline | 5/11/2009 |
| Q: I took out chicken breasts from the freezer on Thursday, but didnt cook them. They have been in the ... A: The general rule of thumb is to used defrosted chicken within 1-2 days of complete defrost. As your ... | |
| Raw Chicken | 5/11/2009 |
| Q: I seasoned several cold chicken breast with garlic and salt, placed the chicken in plastic storage ... A: It's hard to tell if chicken has gone bad from food borne illness bacteria like Salmonella since it ... | |
| salmon | 5/10/2009 |
| Q: We are using a recipe for smoke salmon that has you allow the salmon to sit out at room temperature ... A: I'm a little confused. By your explanation the salmon would only sit out 2 hours before smoking -- ... | |
| pork loin | 5/10/2009 |
| Q: I left a whole pork loin in my truck from midnight to 7:30 AM at 60 degrees still cool in my truck. ... A: If the pork loin remained at 41 degrees or below while in your truck then it would be safe to cook ... | |
| Pork | 5/10/2009 |
| Q: my husband unplugged the Italian pork last night to let it cool a bit before putting it in the ... A: Food that is left at room temperature for an extended period of time provides the perfect breeding ... | |
| Thawed smoked ham | 5/9/2009 |
| Q: Our freezer went out and we are not sure how long it has been off. It was about half full of pork. ... A: It all depends upon the temperature of the bacon and ham when you discovered the freezer was not ... | |
| Chicken unrefrigerated for 3 to 4 days. | 5/9/2009 |
| Q: We live in Marietta Georgia. I we just found out today that our freezer went out today. We believe ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to pitch the chicken. When a freezer goes out, you have about 2 ... | |
| My 2yr old ate moldy applesauce | 5/9/2009 |
| Q: I gave my son 1 tsp of apple sauce to take his medicine. when I put away the Jar I noticed it was ... A: Yes, chances are very good that your son will be just fine. Ingesting small amounts of mold ... | |
| pork loin | 5/9/2009 |
| Q: I left a whole pork loin in truck from midnight to 7:30 AM at 60 degrees still cool in truck is it ... A: It's hard to say whether the pork loin is still good. All we do know is that leaving raw meat at a ... | |
| cooked tamales left out | 5/9/2009 |
| Q: Brought home 3 dozen freshly cooked tamales - some are beef and some are chorizo and egg. I had just ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation for foods capable of easily supporting the growth of bacteria ... | |
| consuming mold | 5/8/2009 |
| Q: A few days ago I played beerpong with cups that had been used a few weeks previously, left out and ... A: Chances are your current illness is not due to mold but could be due to other bacteria present in ... | |
| Bacteria from baby bottle | 5/7/2009 |
| Q: Recently my 11 month contracted an infection from yeast in his mouth. The odctor said it was ... A: I, like you, went to the website and could not find any indication that the bottles have been ... | |
| Cooked Meat Left Out Overnight | 5/7/2009 |
| Q: My husband cooked meat and beef sausage in a pot in the afternoon - left it in the pot, burner off, ... A: The recommendation is to not consume meat that has been left at room temperature overnight. While ... | |
| Food Safety | 5/6/2009 |
| Q: I had a frozen vacuum sealed pouch of marinated chicken that I left on the counter to partially thaw ... A: Even though the meat was vacuum sealed, being at room temperature for an extended period of time ... | |
| Freeze versus refigerate | 5/6/2009 |
| Q: I made a ground beef and cheesy elbow mac casserole today (wed) and plan to serve on sunday. Can I ... A: I would freeze the casserole today, remove it on Saturday and place in the refrigerator to defrost ... | |
| baking from home kitchen | 5/6/2009 |
| Q: Can I sell my baked goods from home kitchen by word of mouth only? Are there fines involved if ... A: There are 12 states in the US that allow individuals to bake goods in their home kitchen and sell ... | |
| olives in a jar | 5/5/2009 |
| Q: A local take away shop by me is selling jars or olives. But they keep them on a shelf above a heavy ... A: It is not recommended to store any canned or jarred food in conditions of extreme temperature ... | |
| temperture | 5/4/2009 |
| Q: what temperture is ideal for a fridge A: A refrigerator should be able to hold food at 41 degrees F or below. To do so, the warmest part of ... | |
| pork roast | 5/4/2009 |
| Q: I was reading about the frozen pork roast in the fridge several days. We have fully cooked pork ... A: If the pork roast was placed in the freezer on Thursday, it probably wasn't fully defrosted until ... | |
| Green Mold/expired food | 5/4/2009 |
| Q: If one item has green mold will it contaminate the other items stored in your refrigerator? A: Mold spores from one food can be transferred to other foods if the moldy food was in an open ... | |
| BBQ Chicken | 5/4/2009 |
| Q: I left a bbq chicken out overnight...do you think it would be safe to eat if refrigerated by 7am? It ... A: How lucky to do feel? As there is no way of knowing if the chicken is still safe without laboratory ... | |
| potatoes au gratin | 5/4/2009 |
| Q: I made potatoes au gratin and let cool before placing in the fridge. But forgot to and potatoes ... A: Without laboratory analysis there is no way of knowing 100% if these potatoes are still safe. All ... | |
| Expired chicken and hummus | 5/3/2009 |
| Q: I have a pack of unopened commercially prepared cooked chicken slices in my fridge. It is 2 weeks ... A: It is not recommended to consume foods past their "best if used by" or "sell date" unless these ... | |
| storing cooked meals on the shelf | 5/2/2009 |
| Q: I go to the store and I see fully cooked diners that are vacuum sealed and stored on the shelf not ... A: No, you do not have the capability in your home kitchen to produce shelf stable meals. The products ... | |
| I need help to find research on the physiological and psychological effects of eating chocolate | 5/2/2009 |
| Q: I am a student at College Llandrillo, Cymru in Rhyl, North Wales and I am doing an ... A: This is really not in my area of expertise. A quick internet search led me to a couple of websites ... | |
| Frozen then thawed ground turkey | 5/1/2009 |
| Q: I bought 4 pack (1-lb ea.) sealed and shrink wrapped frozen ground turkey at the bulk store in ... A: It is not recommended to defrost meat, especially ground meat and poultry at room temperature as ... | |
| Raw Hamburger turned brown | 5/1/2009 |
| Q: I bought a few lbs. of hamburger for a party and was in the fridge for about 4 days, it turned brown ... A: As beef ages it turns brown and is an indication that the beef needs to be cooked or frozen ... | |
| raw ground pork storage | 5/1/2009 |
| Q: I know the recommended time for using refrigerated ground meat is 1 - 2 days, and I read that you ... A: The recommendations for food storage of meat products are just that -- general guidelines. Holding ... | |
| Frozen Salmon | 5/1/2009 |
| Q: I recently purchased some wild caught frozen salmon from China. When I broiled it with a bit of ... A: Yes, this is quite normal for salmon and other fish. It is completely safe to eat. Actually the ... | |
| Food warmers | 4/30/2009 |
| Q: How long can chafing dishes or electric food warmers keep food safe? A: If food is held above 135 degrees, it can be considered safe to consume forever. Food held at 135 ... | |
| frozen pork | 4/30/2009 |
| Q: I have a pork shoulder that has been frozen for 10 months, I thawed it in the refrigerator and it ... A: If you notice any odd odors with meat when defrosted, it is best not to cook and consume the food. ... | |
| Spegetti Sauce. | 4/30/2009 |
| Q: Is it safe to let Spaghetti sauce overnight in a teflon pot in the refrigerator? A: Storing spaghetti sauce in the pot in which it was made can be safe IF the sauce cools down to 41 ... | |
| safe method for planting crops in old tires? | 4/30/2009 |
| Q: I'd like to use old tires as planters for small food crops, but I'm concerned about the possible ... A: I'm not aware of any reliable research indicating that tires leach harmful chemicals into the soil ... | |
| CCP For production of chocolate ganache | 4/30/2009 |
| Q: i would like to know what are the CCPs for the production of chocolate ganache.Because i work for a ... A: I need more information before I can answer this1. List of ingredients 2. Recipe steps You can be ... | |
| raw pork left unrefrigerated 2 hours | 4/29/2009 |
| Q: I had a raw pork roast that I left in my car during errands for 2 and a half hours--cloudy day, ... A: The general recommendation is that meat (raw or cooked) should not be at room temperature over 2 ... | |
| roast bbq chicken left out overnight | 4/29/2009 |
| Q: i forgot to put the roast chicken into the fridge and it got left on the counter overnight. it was a ... A: The recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods -- foods capable of supporting the ... | |
| chicken | 4/28/2009 |
| Q: I bought 2 whole hot chickens in containers plus wrapped in plastic bags. I left them in my car on ... A: Good question, and unfortunately there is no clear cut answer as to whether the chickens are still ... | |
| raw turkey - unrefrigerated | 4/28/2009 |
| Q: Total time out of refrigeration was 2.5-3 hours. Cooked it up and refrigerated immediately after. ... A: The general guideline for raw meat products to be at room temperature and still be considered safe ... | |
| Thawed/Marinated Chicken | 4/28/2009 |
| Q: I thawed frozen chicken breast on Sunday afternoon and placed it in tupperware with a marinade. It ... A: Sorry I did not get back to you sooner but the good news is that your chicken should be okay to cook ... | |
| Meatloaf left out all night | 4/27/2009 |
| Q: I baked a meatloaf to serve the next day. Took it out of the oven to cool around 6PM and forgot to ... A: The recommendation for potentially hazardous foods left at room temperature overnight (or for over 4 ... | |
| take out | 4/27/2009 |
| Q: I went to Olive Garden on Friday for Lunch. I could not finish most of my food. I spent alot of ... A: The usual recommendation for leftovers brought home from a restaurant is that they should be ... | |
| Pickled eggs | 4/27/2009 |
| Q: I have a question about pickling.. I took a jar from my fridge that had hot finger peppers in it, ... A: For the research-based recipe for how to make pickled eggs, I suggest you check out: ... | |
| chicken | 4/26/2009 |
| Q: I had a rotisery chicken in the oven at 225F to warm. The oven was turned off and the chicken ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation for cooked meat and poultry left in a turned off oven for 12 hours ... | |
| food safety | 4/25/2009 |
| Q: I made a cake with frosting that included cream cheese, and didn't store it in the refrigerator. ... A: Yes, it is entirely possible that the cream cheese left at room temperature for several days was the ... | |
| Beef jerky | 4/25/2009 |
| Q: I've read everywhere that you have to heat beef jerky to 160 degrees before dehydrating to meet USDA ... A: Check out this website for research-based information on making beef jerky. ... | |
| food safety | 4/25/2009 |
| Q: I left some Toll House pre-made refrigerated cookies out by mistake last night in the grocery bag. ... A: According to the Nestle Toll-House people: The Refrigerated Dough products are intended to be kept ... | |
| chilling soup | 4/25/2009 |
| Q: I am chilling a soup which contains a small amount of cream, but otherwise vegetable. instead of ... A: The recommendation for cooling hot foods such as soup is to refrigerate within 2 hours of taking off ... | |
| pork safety | 4/24/2009 |
| Q: I had a couple of pork chops i forgot in the oven last night after turning it off. When I went to ... A: Unfortunately, the kind of bacteria that can make you ill does not give off an off flavor, color or ... | |
| Spices | 4/24/2009 |
| Q: I'd like to know if spices eg. cinnamon, fine red chillis, bbq spice have an expiry date. Will it be ... A: Spices do not have an expiration date and are not harmful to use years after purchase. The issue ... | |
| Poultry "Sell by" date vs cook date | 4/24/2009 |
| Q: How long after sell date can a cut up chicken be safely cooked after refrigerating the entire time. ... A: Fresh, refrigerated poultry should be either cooked or frozen for future use within 2-3 days of ... | |
| Is my ham safe to eat? | 4/23/2009 |
| Q: I left a smoked pork picnic shoulder in the car overnight - from about 8 pm til 10 am - however, it ... A: While it is not recommended to leave meat unrefrigerated overnight, it sounds like your car at 4 ... | |
| thawing out meet | 4/22/2009 |
| Q: I thawed out meet and forgot to put it back in the refrigerator, it was thawed out for at least 4 ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not defrost meat at room temperature as some bacteria on the ... | |
| Cooked Italian Sausage Left Out Overnight | 4/21/2009 |
| Q: I counter thawed Johnsonville Italian sausage for 3-4 hours, then cooked it for dinner. (had ... A: The recommendation is that leftover cooked meats and sausages need to be cooled within 6 hours to 41 ... | |
| frozen strawberries | 4/20/2009 |
| Q: I purchased frozen strawberries the day before Easter and put them in the refrigerator to de-thaw. ... A: As far as safety, the strawberries are still safe as long as mold is not growing. The question ... | |
| Cooked Oatmeal left out | 4/20/2009 |
| Q: Is it safe to let cooked oatmeal sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours? My mother says it ... A: Oatmeal is a grain, but once you rehydrate the grain it becomes a food that can easily support the ... | |
| meats left in car overnight | 4/19/2009 |
| Q: My question is: I left a bag of groceries in my car overnight that contained a pack of bacon,Italian ... A: Unfortunately, there is no way of telling if the foods are still safe. When foods that can easily ... | |
| yogurt | 4/19/2009 |
| Q: how long is commercial yogurt safe, unopend, refrigerated? A: Most yogurt manufacturers provide a "best if used by" date on their product as they have found that ... | |
| frozen canned foods | 4/18/2009 |
| Q: my question is about freezing canned fruit, veggies, even ketchup, mustard, relish , soups, salad ... A: I really don't understand the thought process behind freezing unopened canned foods. Canning is ... | |
| meat left out over night | 4/18/2009 |
| Q: Last night my daughter put our meat, steak, pork chops, ground beef and chicken in the garage not ... A: The rule of thumb is if the meat did not get above 41 degrees F internal temperature, they can be ... | |
| Virgin Olive Oil | 4/17/2009 |
| Q: How long does olive oil last once opened? We have an open bottle but hadn't used it for awhile and ... A: Olive oil, if stored in a dark, cool place has an opened shelf life of 3 or more years. You'll know ... | |
| home reared pork | 4/17/2009 |
| Q: how long can i keep fresh pork in my fridge before it has to be frozen A: The general recommendation for fresh pork is to refrigerate up to 3-4 days for whole muscle meat ... | |
| Eggs | 4/17/2009 |
| Q: I just hard boiled some eggs, upon peeling them there where blackish dots that looked like mildew on ... A: How disturbing to find black dots on the inside of the shell. Black is not a color that should be ... | |
| Beef Mince | 4/16/2009 |
| Q: I have some beef mince in the freezer which has been frozen since I purchased it. It is about 4 days ... A: Yes, the frozen beef mince is safe to consume. Defrost in the refrigerator and prepare as if fresh. ... | |
| baked potatoes | 4/15/2009 |
| Q: I left freshly baked potatoes out all night. Can I still use them to make potato salad? The house is ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not used cooked vegetables that have sat out of ... | |
| defrosting cooked meat | 4/15/2009 |
| Q: What is your opinion on defrosting frozen pre-cooked meatballs? I have done it for all of my life ... A: The current recommendation is to not defrost any meat -- raw or cooked -- at room temperature to ... | |
| Chicken left in oven all night | 4/15/2009 |
| Q: I baked chicken legs last night, but decided to do Fried rice b/c it was quicker & eat the chicken ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not eat chicken that has been at room temperature overnight. ... | |
| liquid egg measurements | 4/14/2009 |
| Q: Carol: Questions about liquid eggs. How many liquid large eggs in 1 cup? How many liquid large egg ... A: It depends upon the size of the egg as to how many whole, egg whites and yolks are in a cup. ... | |
| chicken | 4/14/2009 |
| Q: My friend brought 5 packs of chicken from the store..She forget it was in her trunk..It stayed in ... A: I assume the chicken was purchased frozen...correct? If so, it is not recommended to cook and ... | |
| cooked pasta | 4/14/2009 |
| Q: I have a child with severe food allergy,and we are about to go on an international flight. She ... A: First, I would contact the airlines and see what arrangements can be made for food for your child ... | |
| canned tomatoes, safety | 4/13/2009 |
| Q: While preparing to open a can of Italian tomatoes, I notice that the lid seemed a bit bulged. When ... A: Anytime a can is bulged it means that something has changed inside the can making it now an unsafe ... | |
| Eggs | 4/13/2009 |
| Q: can you leave them out over night? A: Fresh, uncooked shelled eggs should be refrigerated at 45 degrees at all times to ensure safety. If ... | |
| roast beef | 4/13/2009 |
| Q: my wife cooked a roast all day in a slow cooker.at midnight she turned it off and forgot to ... A: The recommendation is to not consume meats left at room temperature over 2 hours. The 2005 FDA Food ... | |
| Do I need certificate to sell cookies online? | 4/13/2009 |
| Q: I live in New Jersey and I am planning to sell my home made cookies online. However I am not sure if ... A: New Jersey Food Code requires that you must have a separate kitchen from your home kitchen to ... | |
| Olive Oil | 4/12/2009 |
| Q: I have a very old glass bottle of Bertolli 100% Pure Extra Light Olive Oil which is half full (17 fl ... A: Smell it....if it has an off odor, it is rancid and should not be used. An opened bottle of oil ... | |
| Refreezing uncooked catfish | 4/12/2009 |
| Q: I bought 3 bags of partially frozen catfish. I didn't use it all. The fish are completely thawed, ... A: As long as the fish was refrigerated the entire time they can be safely refrozen. Be aware that the ... | |
| Fresh Hummus: safe for how long? | 4/12/2009 |
| Q: How long is fresh hummus good for in the refridgerator? I would think that with the lemon juice it ... A: Fresh homemade hummus made with the lemon juice will last about a week in the refrigerator, and a ... | |
| smoked/uncooked ham left unrefrigerated | 4/11/2009 |
| Q: Would my ham be good if left unrefrigerated for 10 hrs. covered by cushions and still felt chilled ... A: The general recommendation for uncooked meats is to not have them at room temperature for more than ... | |
| Expiration dates | 4/11/2009 |
| Q: Exactly what is meant by "Best if used by ..."? How about the expiration date on boxes of cereal, ... A: The "Best if Used By" date is a date determined by the manufacturer as to the date the product will ... | |
| Ham safe to eat? | 4/10/2009 |
| Q: We purchased a bone in cooked ham at the store and forgot to refrigerate it until the next morning. ... A: The recommendation is to not cook and consume potentially hazardous foods (meat, poultry, dairy, ... | |
| Food in a hot car | 4/10/2009 |
| Q: Can cooked fast food left in a hot car, wrapped, and in a bag be safe to eat later? A: According to the FDA Food Code, a restaurant can serve food that was held at 135 degrees F but then ... | |
| meat | 4/9/2009 |
| Q: how long does 3lbs of meat defrost in the fridge? A: Here's a table with estimated defrosting times for meat and poultry in a refrigerator with an ... | |
| Baking ham | 4/9/2009 |
| Q: Is it recommended to allow a spiral-sliced ham to reach room temperature just prior to baking? A: It is not recommended to allow a ham to reach room temperature before baking. Simply remove the ham ... | |
| Crockpot Minestrone | 4/9/2009 |
| Q: I had a large crock pot full of minestrone (with hamburger) boiling when I took it off of the heat ... A: The current FDA food code would allow the soup to be at room temperature for 4 hours and still be ... | |
| Three compartment sinks | 4/9/2009 |
| Q: I know the proper setup for 3 comp. sinks goes in this order 1 soap sink 2rinse sink 3sanitizer sink ... A: No, you are not wrong. You are absolutely RIGHT! A 3-compartment sink is set up with wash, rinse ... | |
| pork not refrigerated | 4/9/2009 |
| Q: we have a friend that owns a BBQ restrant and he brought us some smoked ribs. the problem is they ... A: The current recommendation is that any cooked meat (smoked or not) should not be in the Danger Zone ... | |
| chicken soup | 4/8/2009 |
| Q: i made a wonderful chicken soup a day ahead of time. the pot was too large for the refrigerator, ... A: Unfortunately, there isn't a way to salvage your soup as some bacteria can form a toxin that is not ... | |
| temperature of pork | 4/8/2009 |
| Q: I cooked a pork roast to 160 degrees. I turned my oven off and then I lost track of time and forgot ... A: Pork that is held at 135 degrees F or above is safe to consume, even if it has been held for 10 ... | |
| Honey mustard | 4/7/2009 |
| Q: I am a small honey supplier and I would like to make honey mustard just using the ingredients Honey, ... A: The only way to know shelf life of your product is to conduct tests on both the unopened and opened ... | |
| selling defrosted food | 4/7/2009 |
| Q: I was just wondering if you are allowed to sell food that are suppose to be frozen that are ... A: I'm not aware of anything in the FDA Food Code that specifically denies the selling of thawed frozen ... | |
| cake storage | 4/7/2009 |
| Q: how long will apiece of cake last when it is sealed a mealed.My son is in Iraq and would like to ... A: A piece of cake - no frosting -- will last a long, long time as the only thing that will eventually ... | |
| ingested uncooked pork marinade | 4/7/2009 |
| Q: after throughly cooking some pork ribs, I absent mindly dipped the pork in the marinade that i ... A: While it is not recommended to consume the marinade that has been in contact with raw meat without ... | |
| Illinois Home Based Baking Business | 4/6/2009 |
| Q: I'm starting a small baking business in Northern Illinois. I've taken the ServSafe Course and ... A: Yes, you need to use a kitchen that is inspected and certified. The basic requirements for ... | |
| turkey leg | 4/6/2009 |
| Q: I left a turkey leg out all night. Is it OK to eat? A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods (meats, dairy, ... | |
| Storage of individual Half & Half | 4/5/2009 |
| Q: I work in a small hotel and there is a disagreement on the proper storage of individual half & half ... A: As the individual half & half containers state that they do not need refrigeration, these should be ... | |
| frozen dinners | 4/4/2009 |
| Q: I left out two meatloaf frozen dinners with macaroni and cheese for maybe up to 3 hours would it ... A: While it is not recommended to leave frozen foods at room temperature to defrost, leaving frozen ... | |
| freezing foods? | 4/4/2009 |
| Q: 3 short questions, please... 1. Can coconut milk be frozen? 2. Can cream cheese be frozen? 3. What ... A: 1. Yes, coconut milk can be frozen but be aware that the quality of the product will probably ... | |
| cooked baby back ribs | 4/4/2009 |
| Q: ..we brought some left over baby back ribs home and forgot to refrigerate them. Got home about ... A: The recommendation is to not consume cooked potentially hazardous foods (meats, poulty, fish, etc) ... | |
| food quality life in commercial freezer | 4/4/2009 |
| Q: I'm on a Church Greek Festival Committee and we are planning our September 2009 Festival where we ... A: As far as food safety, as long as the foods were constantly frozen the entire time from Sept 2008 ... | |
| spots on home cured ham | 4/4/2009 |
| Q: I am home curing hams (first time). I used Morton Tender Quick on a number of 5-8 # roasts, ... A: I am forwarding your question to a meat specialist at the University of Illinois for his opinion. ... | |
| hot sauce | 3/31/2009 |
| Q: Why is it that hot sauce & hot peppers that you put on subs do not say "refrigerate after opening" ... A: Hot sauce is considered a shelf stable product that does not need to refrigerated in order to stay ... | |
| FOOD SAFETY | 3/29/2009 |
| Q: I HAVE ALWAYS HEARD THAT LEAVING UTENSILS IN REFRIGERATED FOODS IS DANGEROUS- IS THIS TRUE? AND IF ... A: It is dangerous if the metal of the spoon reacts with the food. A long time ago spoons were made ... | |
| chocolate Donuts | 3/22/2009 |
| Q: I Found Chocolate Covered Donuts That My Husband Purchased A Couple Weeks Ago. The Exp. Date Reads ... A: Normally, manufacturers of baked products put a "best if used by" date on their product to ensure ... | |
| "freeganism" | 3/22/2009 |
| Q: I have a friend who partakes in something she calls 'freeganism', which usually involves something ... A: I've heard of this practice of dumpster diving for food - not because you are homeless and hungry ... | |
| frozen and thawed chicken | 3/22/2009 |
| Q: I thawed a chicken that was supposed to be cooked from frozen as it is pre-stuffed. Can I still use ... A: The recommendation is that if the label says "must be cooked from a frozen state" then a defrosted ... | |
| Honey Baked Ham | 3/22/2009 |
| Q: I have a Honey Baked Boneless ham which is marked "For Institutional Use Only". It is cured with: ... A: The recommendation for ham with a best if used by date is to refrigerate a maximum of 1 week past ... | |
| Frozen Pork Ribs - Uncooked | 3/21/2009 |
| Q: What does it mean if the fat on frozen pork ribs has turned green while in the freezer? The ribs ... A: I am forwarding your question on to a University of Illinois Meat Specialist for their take on this ... | |
| pork ribs | 3/20/2009 |
| Q: I left my pork ribs out all night to thaw (i forgot about them) and found them this morning and they ... A: First, it is not recommended to defrost meat at room temperature as the outside of the meat defrosts ... | |
| In home Cake/Candy Business | 3/19/2009 |
| Q: I am looking to start an in-home cake/candy business, selling character cakes and candy. I saw your ... A: Unlike the answer to the Pennsylvania individual where a home-based cake/candy business is allowed, ... | |
| frozen luch meat | 3/19/2009 |
| Q: I received a case of subway ham to make sandwiches. The package date is Oct. 9, 2007. Is it safe ... A: I assume this ham was given to you frozen and it has been frozen since October 2007. If not ... | |
| Canned salmon foreign bodies.. | 3/18/2009 |
| Q: I love canned salmon,but have been finding strange things in the large size cans on occasion.Just ... A: I suggest that you immediately contact Clover Leaf and show them what you found. They can be ... | |
| hamburgers | 3/18/2009 |
| Q: I put together ground elk,hamburger,ground pork,raw eggs,and bread crumbs to make up ... A: Yes, it is safe to defrost in the refrigerator and cook them. As you already have them made into ... | |
| Pizza Kits | 3/18/2009 |
| Q: I prepare pizza kits in a commercial kitchen. They are sold in a small grocery store. I am ... A: The best way of determining shelf life is to conduct properly constructed storage trials under ... | |
| Food being left unrefrigerated | 3/17/2009 |
| Q: My boyfriend and I live with his father. His father has a terrible habit of leaving food from ... A: The recommendation is that all foods capable of supporting the growth of harmful bacteria (meats, ... | |
| canning | 3/17/2009 |
| Q: How can I tell if a jar is sealed? A. A: If it is a home processed food in a jar, the lid will be concave in the middle and if you press your ... | |
| food safety | 3/16/2009 |
| Q: the gal i work with insist in leaving a stainless steal spoon in the pizza sauce over nite....i say ... A: As stainless steel is a metal that does not react with acidic foods, it is okay -- theoretically -- ... | |
| Pork Roast | 3/16/2009 |
| Q: I cooked a boneless pork roast yesterday and sliced the leftovers (about 1 lb and left them on the ... A: It depends on how long the pork was left at room temperature. The recommendation is to not eat meat ... | |
| smoked pork | 3/16/2009 |
| Q: Carol i recently read about how bad eating uncooked pork can be to your body i normally dont eat ... A: Smoked pork purchased at the grocery store is not a raw produce. The smoking process is a slow ... | |
| expiration dates on 6 oz cans of juice | 3/16/2009 |
| Q: I have a case of 6 oz cans of ocean spray cranberry juice cocktail and blue bird grapefruit juice ... A: The dates you see are a "Best if Used By" date. This date is when the company feels the product is ... | |
| cold cut ham safety in freezer | 3/14/2009 |
| Q: I have some ham ends with a last sale date of 3-14-09. Will they be safe in freezer for awhile or ... A: Yes, the ham ends will be fine in the freezer. Be sure to wrap in moisture proof freezer wrap ... | |
| food safety | 3/13/2009 |
| Q: I left a spoon in the salsa bottle for two days is it ok to eat it thanks A: If the spoon is stainless steel, non-reactive plastic or wood then it is okay. If the spoon is made ... | |
| coconut milk | 3/13/2009 |
| Q: Is canned coconut milk considered hazardous after the can is opened? Does it have to be ... A: I am not aware of coconut milk being considered a potentially hazardous foods -- these are foods ... | |
| Food left on counter overnight | 3/13/2009 |
| Q: I cooked kielbasa and pasta with butter, vegetables and parmesan cheese. It sat on the counter from ... A: The recommendation is to not reheat and consume meats and vegetables that have been at room ... | |
| Home-based cake decorating business | 3/13/2009 |
| Q: I am starting research with regard to starting a cake decorating business from home. I would like ... A: The Pennsylvania Food Code allows homebased bakeries as long as the products due not contain any ... | |
| cooked meat left out | 3/12/2009 |
| Q: I cooked some hamburger meat for chilli but them didnt make the chilli. I went to bed and left the ... A: While it is possible that the meat is still safe, it has also be given the perfect environment for ... | |
| creamer left out all night | 3/11/2009 |
| Q: I left my coffee creamer out all night, it was in my lunch bag with a defrosted ice pack. Is it ... A: While it is entirely possible that the creamer is still safe, it is also possible that it is unsafe ... | |
| marinated meat | 3/11/2009 |
| Q: If I marinate meat in a vacuum then refrigerate. How long can I hold the meat until cooking? The ... A: The general recommendation for holding whole muscle meat in the refrigerator is 3-4 days. Vacuum ... | |
| sell by dates | 3/10/2009 |
| Q: I purchased a ham today with a sell by date of April 12. Can I keep it refrigerated and use it for ... A: A ham with a sell by date of April 12 can be safely refrigerated until you use the ham on Easter. ... | |
| Mold on salsa | 3/10/2009 |
| Q: I just reopened a jar of salsa with about 4 drip-sized mold particles. I removed them and the rest ... A: No, it is not recommended to continue consuming soft foods that have visible mold, even though you ... | |
| Beef Roast | 3/9/2009 |
| Q: if I bought a beef roast and it was never put into a freezer, how long will this beef be ok if i ... A: The recommendation is to refrigerate fresh whole-muscle beef up to 4 days after purchase or ... | |
| Food Storage | 3/9/2009 |
| Q: How long is it safe to store jarred items like olives, capers, pickles, roasted red peppers, etc. in ... A: The general recommendation for opened condiments like pickles and roasted red peppers is 6 months. ... | |
| galvanized bucket | 3/9/2009 |
| Q: I would like to serve a seafood boil in a small galvanized bucket (potato, corn on the cobb, ... A: I assume you are just wanting to serve the seafood boil from the bucket -- not prepare or leave in ... | |
| ham date | 3/9/2009 |
| Q: i bought a spiral sliced ham for a dinner on march 15th it has a sell by date of march 12th but ... A: I suggest you freeze the ham since it will be past the sell by date on the 12th. Freeze the ham ... | |
| yolk color of hard boiled eggs | 3/9/2009 |
| Q: After hard boiling, then storing eggs for a few days, I notice that some yolks have taken on a gray ... A: Egg yolks can have a gray, green or bluish tint, especially noticeable next to the white. This is ... | |
| Tomato sauce w/meat left out overnight | 3/8/2009 |
| Q: I made pasta sauce last night, then put the left overs in 2 cup containers, then forgot to put it in ... A: Without testing the sauce to see if it is still safe to consume there is no way of knowing the ... | |
| refrigerator life of smoked meats | 3/8/2009 |
| Q: Carol, I have some leftover smoked chicken and pork tenderloin my husband smoked in our smoker. How ... A: The general recommendation for all cooked meats and poultry whether done by smoking, grilling, ... | |
| refrigeration time of prime rib | 3/7/2009 |
| Q: I bought a prime rib on a wednesday afternoon. I did not however put it in the freezer yet and was ... A: The general recommendation for fresh, whole muscle beef is to refrigerate and use within 3-4 days. ... | |
| freezing pepperoni | 3/7/2009 |
| Q: Can I freeze sliced pepperoni? I bought a huge package and want to save some for later on. A: Yes, you can freeze sliced pepperoni. Frozen pizza's have sliced pepperoni on them and they do well ... | |
| Will freezing cake lessen flavor? | 3/7/2009 |
| Q: I baked an unfrosted Devil's food cake and a batch of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies today for my ... A: Bakers freeze cake and cookies all of the time with no loss of flavor or texture. For both the cake ... | |
| Preserving Homemade Salad dressing | 3/6/2009 |
| Q: I want to know how to preserve my homemade salad dressing and bottle it for sale so that it will ... A: In order to determine the shelf life of your produce, I suggest you consult a university-based food ... | |
| meat left out | 3/5/2009 |
| Q: chicken,ground meat, and chuck roast left out for approx. 20 hours temperature from 30 to 50 degrees ... A: If the internal temperature of the meat stayed at 41 degrees or lower, it is safe to cook and eat. ... | |
| Safe Holding Time For Hot Dogs | 3/5/2009 |
| Q: What is the safe holding time and temperature on a cooked hot dog stored in hot water?? (For ... A: According to the FDA food code, hot dogs should be held at an internal temperature of 135 degrees F ... | |
| Pickled Eggs | 3/4/2009 |
| Q: I hear all the time from various agencies that we should not home can pickled eggs. The reason ... A: Research conducted by Dr. Elizabeth Andress at the National Home Food Preservation Center at the ... | |
| mold ingestion | 3/4/2009 |
| Q: My 2 year old daughter while brushing her teeth at the sink pulled out the drain plug and put it in ... A: Chances are very good that your daughter will not have any side effects from her encounter with ... | |
| eating frozen beef | 3/2/2009 |
| Q: We vacuum sealed a roast beef at Christmas 2008. We kept it throughly frozen and now defrosted it ... A: Yes, from what you describe the roast should be safe to consume. The guidelines for keeping meat in ... | |
| freezing cheese | 3/2/2009 |
| Q: Can you freeze shredded mozzarella cheese and still be ok? A: Yes, you can freeze shredded mozzarella cheese with the recommendation to freeze no longer than 2 ... | |
| cheese | 3/2/2009 |
| Q: My hubby left dubliner cheese, from Ireland, we got at Costco, out overnight. Is it ok. Was probably ... A: Yes, the cheese should be fine to consume. Hard, natural cheeses can be left at room temperature ... | |
| Starting a home based bakery in Chicago | 3/2/2009 |
| Q: I am interested in starting a home-based bakery in Chicago. I would primarily be selling baked ... A: Chicago has a very strict code for starting a home-based food business so I suggest you start out by ... | |
| Food Safety | 3/1/2009 |
| Q: I'm just wondering whether aluminum foil or plastic wrap would work better to preserve chicken ... A: Both foil and plastic wrap can be used to wrap chicken strips for storage in the refrigerator (up to ... | |
| canned fish safety | 3/1/2009 |
| Q: I have 6 cans of smoked salmon from Alaska with a postage date of 1994. I of course would hate to ... A: If the cans are in sound condition and show no signs of deterioration (leakage, bulging, etc) they ... | |
| Botulism in Garbage | 3/1/2009 |
| Q: I read about botulinum toxin being produced from sauteed onions in a restaurant when kept in ... A: Yes, I think you acted wisely in covering the spot where the liquid splashed from the can. ... | |
| Botulism in Garbage | 2/28/2009 |
| Q: I read about botulinum toxin being produced from sauteed onions in a restaurant when kept in ... A: In the case of the sauteed onions, the source of the botulism toxin was the onions. The onions - ... | |
| Fridge Life for a Ham | 2/28/2009 |
| Q: I received two fully-cooked hams as gifts two months ago, but I cannot find an expiration date ... A: The recommendation for refrigerator storage for fully cooked ham that is undated is 2 weeks. Since ... | |
| Frozen Beef Tenderloin | 2/28/2009 |
| Q: I have 2-3 lbs of cooked (very rare middle portion) beef tenderloin left over from Christmas and ... A: Yes, you have done everything properly so far in handling your beef tenderloin. Be sure the ... | |
| Pre-cooked meatballs left out | 2/27/2009 |
| Q: I heated up some pre-cooked meatballs in a crock pot and accidently left them in the crock pot over ... A: While it is possible they are still safe, it is also possible that they now harbor bacteria that ... | |
| green bean casserole | 2/26/2009 |
| Q: Is it safe to eat a green bean casserole that was cooked but then left out all night? I put it in ... A: The recommendation is to not consume cooked carbohydrates (vegetables, soups, rice, pasta, etc) that ... | |
| Lasagna | 2/25/2009 |
| Q: I made a lasagna with hot fresh cooked turkey sausage,sauce, noodles, and cheese. After I assembled ... A: Yes, it should be safe. The recommendation is that ambient (room temperature) or warmer food should ... | |
| ham in shut off refrigerator | 2/25/2009 |
| Q: I put a precooked spiral ham in the crockpot yesterday to get it hot & juicy for supper. It did get ... A: Don't you just love kids??? Unfortunately, a warm ham put into a refrigerator that was not ... | |
| Left whole bone-in Chicken on Counter Overnight | 2/25/2009 |
| Q: I got out the whole bone-in roasting chicken out at dinner time and thought I would remember to put ... A: The recommendation is to not cook and consume poultry that has been at room temperature overnight. ... | |
| Pre-cooked Meats as an Ingredient | 2/25/2009 |
| Q: I plan to pre-cook ground beef the day before and cool it down properly. The next day, I plan to ... A: According to the FDA 2005 Food Code (page 80, Section 3-501.14 ... | |
| food safety | 2/25/2009 |
| Q: I made a tomato sauce with meat in it and then froze if for two weeks. Today I took it out of the ... A: Yes, it is safe to refrigerate previously frozen meat sauce that has been reheated. The ... | |
| Pre-cooked Meats as an Ingredient | 2/24/2009 |
| Q: I plan to pre-cook ground beef the day before and cool it down properly. The next day, I plan to ... A: As long as you handle the meat properly (cook to at least 155 degrees, cool within 6 hours to 40 ... | |
| Butternut Squash Left Out | 2/24/2009 |
| Q: I cut open and roasted a butternut squash in the oven. When it was finished, I turned off the ... A: The recommendation is to not consume cooked carbohydrates (vegetables, pasta, rice, etc) once they ... | |
| bacteria growth in different temperatures | 2/22/2009 |
| Q: i was wondering why does cold air slow down the growth of bacteria. and the same with room ... A: Bacteria that cause man harm are called mesophile -- bacteria that like growth temperatures of 40 to ... | |
| Steak left out overnight | 2/22/2009 |
| Q: My husband took a steak out of the freezer yesterday at noon & put it in the microwave on the ... A: It is not recommended to consume potentially hazardous foods -- meats, dairy, fish, etc -- that has ... | |
| Frozen lasagna | 2/22/2009 |
| Q: A frozen lasagna has been defrosting on the counter for about 7 hours - is it still safe to bake it ... A: First, it is not recommended to defrost potentially hazardous foods -- foods capable of supporting ... | |
| hamburger | 2/21/2009 |
| Q: I took hamburger out to thaw at 5:30 pm. I didn't end up cooking it, and I forgot it out overnight. ... A: The recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods that have been at room temperature ... | |
| Frozen uncooked shrimp | 2/20/2009 |
| Q: Is it safe to cook a bag of frozen uncooked shrimp that was in the freezer (not opened) for perhaps ... A: Yes, it is safe to cook frozen uncooked shrimp that has been in the freezer for a year. As you will ... | |
| Home canned salmon | 2/20/2009 |
| Q: What is the shelf life of salmon properly canned in a pressure cooker. A: The general recommendation for all home canned foods is to use within 1 year for maximum safety and ... | |
| Food Safety | 2/19/2009 |
| Q: We found a spoon was left in our salsa container by one of our children. We do not know how long ago ... A: Utensils made of stainless steel are safe to leave in foods as they do not react with either acid or ... | |
| pork roast | 2/18/2009 |
| Q: My fridge was turned off for 8 hours and I had a fresh pork roast in there. I put it in the slow ... A: It all depends on what the temperature of the roast was when you discovered that your refrigerator ... | |
| Roasted garlic and oil refrigerated | 2/18/2009 |
| Q: I usually make a big batch of peeled garlic and canola oil in the oven and roast for about 30 ... A: Chances are the garlic was showing signs of food spoilage organisms -- bacteria and mold capable of ... | |
| Foil safty | 2/17/2009 |
| Q: Carol I know the foil is made by aluminum. When acid or salty food is wrapped by foil, it can melt ... A: The black spots are an aluminum salt residue that are harmless and digestible. Simply remove the ... | |
| food storage and water safety | 2/17/2009 |
| Q: Carol Thanks for the suggestion about the cold juice storage. I am thinking if it is OK if I mix the ... A: The recommendation for room temperature storage of baked goods for maximum freshness is 2 to 4 days. ... | |
| chicken safety | 2/16/2009 |
| Q: Can you marinate chicken and vegetables together overnight in the fridge? A: Yes, you can marinate chicken and vegetables together over night as long as both are fully cooked ... | |
| Baked Pasta | 2/16/2009 |
| Q: I made baked ziti last night, and the recipe made much more than I expected. How long should the ... A: Cooked meat leftovers can be safely refrigerated for 3-4 days. If you can not use it in that time ... | |
| food storage and water safety | 2/16/2009 |
| Q: Carol Thanks for the suggestion about the cold juice storage. I am thinking if it is OK if I mix the ... A: You misunderstood...plastic water pipes are okay and are the standard in US homes. Cakes and pies ... | |
| bottling and dist of my salsa. | 2/15/2009 |
| Q: I make salsa and would like to know if you can suggest any companies in my area (Mobile Al) who ... A: Check out the following co-packers in your area: Kyleigh Farms: http://www.kyleighfarms.com/ Food ... | |
| food storage and water safety | 2/15/2009 |
| Q: Carol Thanks for the suggestion about the cold juice storage. I am thinking if it is OK if I mix the ... A: Yes, I think partially freezing the water/juice for your son to consume within 3 hours is a great ... | |
| Pork Roast | 2/15/2009 |
| Q: Last night before I went to bed (about 9:00) I put 2 frozen solid pork roasts in the crock pot with ... A: While it is not recommended to place frozen, whole muscle meat directly in the crock pot, it sounds ... | |
| tomato suace | 2/15/2009 |
| Q: I am Italian and am always making food with tomato sauce. I find that the sauce permanently stains ... A: Yes, stainless steel is okay for acid food storage, such as tomato sauce. However, it is not ... | |
| food safety | 2/14/2009 |
| Q: my frig died yesterday while working/everything warm to touch/what about unopened ... A: So sorry your were greeted by a non-working refrigerator freezer when you arrived home. Soymilk - ... | |
| boiled and untouched soup left out 12 hours | 2/14/2009 |
| Q: My mother insists that if you boil a soup and then "don't touch it" it can remain at room ... A: I'm not aware of any scientific research conducted on untouched boiled soup to determine safety as ... | |
| food stored in stainless food container | 2/13/2009 |
| Q: I cook my lunch (mainly some homemade vegetable soup, neither very acid nor salty) at 8:00am and put ... A: In some research it has been found that a hot boiling food can be kept hot (above 135 degrees F) for ... | |
| turkey wings and breast | 2/13/2009 |
| Q: I cooked some turkey wings and a breast last night in a crock pot. Turned it off at 9:00 pm and as ... A: It all depends on what the temperature was when you found the turkey at 7:30 AM. If the temperature ... | |
| food safety | 2/13/2009 |
| Q: I left a covered cooked meatloaf out 10 hours in airconditioned kitchen (75degrees).Would it be ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not reheat and consume potentially hazardous foods (foods ... | |
| food stored in stainless food container | 2/12/2009 |
| Q: I cook my lunch (mainly some homemade vegetable soup, neither very acid nor salty) at 8:00am and put ... A: Yes -- potentially hazardous foods (meats, poultry, dairy, etc) held for an extended period of time ... | |
| Whipping Cream | 2/12/2009 |
| Q: I accidentally left out a container, unopened, of Ultra Pasurized Heavy Whipping Cream. The ... A: The recommendation is to not use dairy products that have been at room temperature over 2 hours. ... | |
| Packaged Lunch Meat | 2/12/2009 |
| Q: When we open a package of lunchmeat, we rarely use it up in 3 days. The recommendations I have ... A: The recommendations for food storage usage are just that...recommendations. Foods can be safe ... | |
| food safety | 2/12/2009 |
| Q: I just ate a "Clausen pickle". Checked jar, it is 2 years past it's best by date! Was it safe? A: If the pickle tasted, looked and smelled like a good pickle then it is safe to consume. The "best is ... | |
| Steak marinate | 2/11/2009 |
| Q: Is two weeks too long to marinade a steak? A: Yes, 2 weeks is way too long. First, raw steak in the refrigerator should be used within 4-5 days ... | |
| food stored in stainless food container | 2/11/2009 |
| Q: I cook my lunch (mainly some homemade vegetable soup, neither very acid nor salty) at 8:00am and put ... A: As long as the vacuum flask is holding your food at 140 degrees or above it is safe to consume. ... | |
| Lasagna | 2/11/2009 |
| Q: Carol, I want to make a chicken, vegetable, alfredo lasagna. I plan to bake the chicken in the oven ... A: Yes, you can assemble the lasagna on Friday with the cooked chicken, hold in the refrigerator and ... | |
| Food Safety...garlic | 2/10/2009 |
| Q: I bought a rather large jar of minced garlic from my local wholesale club. I cook with quite a bit ... A: While it may be safe, garlic has a pH above 4.6 and can support the growth of bacteria. The ... | |
| freezer quit- what's ok to refreeze | 2/10/2009 |
| Q: I just realized my freezer quit and it must have been out for a few days. I had 6 lbs of hamburger ... A: Your sugar cookies should be okay since they did not require freezing/refrigeration to be kept safe ... | |
| Frozen meat and frozen bologna | 2/1/2009 |
| Q: I sent some frozen meat and bologna that was well wrapped on a Friday to arrive in Arizona overnight ... A: How sad that your meats were not delivered overnight as planned. I hope you have recourse with the ... | |
| Canned Tuna? | 2/1/2009 |
| Q: I have canned tuna still sitting in the shelf in my kitchen. The can says has a best by date of ... A: If a manufacturer puts a best if used by date on the can in the format 00/00/00 it means ... | |
| soup safety | 1/31/2009 |
| Q: I made a soup with chicken stock and vegetables (no other meat), and a bit of cream. I had to leave ... A: The recommendation for cooling hot foods is that they should be at refrigerator temperature (41 ... | |
| thawed chicken | 1/31/2009 |
| Q: My husband bought 3 bags of frozen chicken wings for the Super Bowl. I told him to put them in the ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not cook and consume potentially dangerous foods (meats, ... | |
| Unfrozen buffalo burgers | 1/30/2009 |
| Q: I had a whole stash of buffalo burgers in hermetically sealed plastic packaging in the freezer. ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not eat potentially hazardous foods (meats, dairy, fish, ... | |
| Cryo packed pork picnic that has an egg smell | 1/30/2009 |
| Q: Last week my wife and I purchased a 9lb pork shoulder picnic that was cryo packed and and a use by ... A: Yes, cryovac meats have gases added to help in color retention and prolong the shelf-life of the ... | |
| freezing and marketing from home and internet | 1/30/2009 |
| Q: I read about blast freezers on your site. What about shippers for frozen food and regulations for ... A: As a food manufacturer, you will be required to have a separate kitchen facility from your home ... | |
| hamburger meat | 1/30/2009 |
| Q: Jan.9 10 lbs. vacuum packed ground beef frozen put in refridgerator to thaw. When is the very last ... A: If it leaked it was not vacuum sealed. With that knowledge the refrigerator storage would be 2-3 ... | |
| cooked red beans | 1/28/2009 |
| Q: I am wondering if it is safe to leave soaked and fully cooked red beans on the stove top for days at ... A: Cooked carbohydrates such as beans are capable of supporting the growth of bacteria. While any live ... | |
| freezing chicken, turkey and ground beef | 1/28/2009 |
| Q: hotel style turkey breast and ground beef in my freezer with sell date of 10/28/2008: how long is it ... A: If left frozen, they are SAFE for years. The issue isn't safety when they are frozen, it is ... | |
| Lean Cuisine | 1/27/2009 |
| Q: I am a flight attendant, so I frequently carry Lean Cuisine dinners with me for 3 days at time, in a ... A: As long as the meals are kept at 41 degrees F or below they are safe to consume, even defrosted. ... | |
| Spaghettti sauce left out to long | 1/27/2009 |
| Q: I left my spaghetti sauce out to thaw and forgot about it. It was left out for over 12 hours on ... A: It is not recommended to defrost potentially hazardous foods (meats, poultry, fish and dairy) at ... | |
| Tamales still good to eat? | 1/27/2009 |
| Q: I had a lady make 12 dozen tamales for me yesterday. She brought them to my place of work in a ... A: The recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods (tamale's fit into this category) ... | |
| hi | 1/27/2009 |
| Q: why banquet sanitation is important?what are some pointers should be remembered when cheking the ... A: Serving a safe and clean banquet is very, very important due to the number of people consuming the ... | |
| Re heating meat | 1/26/2009 |
| Q: I had a fresh peice of uncooked roast. I froze it, then thawed and cooked it, then froze the cooked ... A: Technically, as long as meat is handled properly it can be frozen, thawed and refrozen over and over ... | |
| silly question moldy lemon juice | 1/26/2009 |
| Q: i feel really foolish to be asking this but here goes and thank you very much for your time and ... A: While ingesting small amounts of mold is usually not considered too dangerous, it's never a wise ... | |
| food spoilage | 1/25/2009 |
| Q: If a pot of beans or soup has been left out all night, can you kill any bacteria which may have ... A: Yes, you can kill any live bacteria, but the real danger is that some bacteria produce a toxin ... | |
| Health issue | 1/25/2009 |
| Q: After you bake potatoes in aluminum foil how long can you leave the foil on? all night and all day? ... A: It is not recommended that foil wrapped baked potatoes be held for long periods of time. The ... | |
| reheating frozen roasted squash, and then refreezing it | 1/23/2009 |
| Q: The other day I roasted some butternut squash, pureed it, and then froze it. I have a recipe for ... A: Yes, it is safe to refreeze previously cooked and frozen squash puree. Defrost the squash in the ... | |
| food storage | 1/23/2009 |
| Q: can homemade soup be kept in a stainless steel saucepan over night in a fridge A: Yes, stainless steel is a non-reactive metal that is good for food storage in the refrigerator. ... | |
| Food preservation with regards to home baking | 1/22/2009 |
| Q: Home baking is on the increase worldwide with regards to decorated cakes. My question is simply is ... A: One of the ingredients found in most shortened cakes is baking powder -- the ingredient that ... | |
| Banana Ripening and HACCP | 1/21/2009 |
| Q: Can the process of ripening bananas using ethylene produced by a generator be HACCP approved? I ... A: I have forwarded your question to a banana expert at the University of Florida and also a HACCP ... | |
| HACCP Approved Sports Bottles | 1/19/2009 |
| Q: I have a customer who is looking for HACCP approved water/sports bottles. Do they market those ... A: Check out this supplier: http://www.innate-gear.com/c3-water-bottles/index.html I'm not aware of a ... | |
| Defrosted mince | 1/19/2009 |
| Q: This morning I put frozen mince in the refrigerator to defrost. Does it have to be cooked ... A: It is safe to defrost mince and cook it the next day. The general recommendation for all minced and ... | |
| Georgia Resources for Co-Packers | 1/19/2009 |
| Q: I am interested in selling my cakes to a local food chain. Of course I can't produce these cakes in ... A: Check out these sites: http://foodsafety.psu.edu/processor/resources.htm ... | |
| Frozen Food Safety | 1/18/2009 |
| Q: I am looking for sources to verify that (1) freezing commerically canned vegetables is NOT a good ... A: As long as the canned foods are still intact with not signs of any leakage (I'd defrost the frozen ... | |
| Frozen Food Safety | 1/18/2009 |
| Q: I am looking for sources to verify that (1) freezing commerically canned vegetables is NOT a good ... A: I think I answered this directly to Bob who wrote me separately. The reason you don't want to freeze ... | |
| chicken thawing | 1/18/2009 |
| Q: I had chicken thawing in cold water in the sink. Someone came in to wash hands in opposite sink and ... A: While it is no longer recommended to defrost frozen meats in standing cold water, it is okay to do ... | |
| Cauliflower mold? | 1/18/2009 |
| Q: I had half a cauliflower in the fridge and found the edges were red. I cut the edges off and then ... A: I really doubt that the red coloration on your cauliflower was caused by an aflatoxin but probably ... | |
| butternut squash baked left out 48 hrs. | 1/17/2009 |
| Q: I baked and forgot about the butternut squash which was cooked whole in my oven, is it still good? A: The recommendation is to not consume cooked carbohydrates (pasta, rice, vegetables, etc) that have ... | |
| Dirty dishes for days | 1/17/2009 |
| Q: I'm in college. My room mates had a little gathering about five nights ago and left a disaster in ... A: Sounds like you have some really nice and clean roommates....not!!! Bacteria can easily start ... | |
| Frozen Food Safety | 1/17/2009 |
| Q: I am looking for sources to verify that (1) freezing commerically canned vegetables is NOT a good ... A: Since you mention that this is in relation to a garage I have a feeling you are saying that the bulk ... | |
| home hot sauce | 1/17/2009 |
| Q: I am making hot sauce and would like to distribute it to my friends for feedback before i decide to ... A: Yes - I was suggesting that your hot sauce will probably have a refrigerator shelf life of 6 months ... | |
| home hot sauce | 1/16/2009 |
| Q: I am making hot sauce and would like to distribute it to my friends for feedback before i decide to ... A: Fortunately, the ingredients used in the hot sauce are not considered potentially hazardous foods ... | |
| Unrefrigerated items | 1/16/2009 |
| Q: Could you please tell me what is the shelf life of unrefrigerated cream cheese and liquid whole ... A: As far as what are the pathogens that could be present, it's difficult to say. Hundreds of ... | |
| Prawns | 1/16/2009 |
| Q: I bought some cooked frozen prawns, defrosted them and put them in a curry, lots of leftovers - is ... A: Yes, it is safe to refreeze once frozen prawns in curry. Be aware that some spices that are often ... | |
| Safe to eat? | 1/16/2009 |
| Q: A couple cans of tomatoes purchased in a grocery store were stored in an area where they froze ... A: Yes -- the tomatoes are still safe to eat IF the seal (or seam of the can) is not broken. Thaw the ... | |
| Chicken Spoilage | 1/16/2009 |
| Q: ...I made up a crock pot recipe with strips of chicken breast and set the timer. I goofed and set ... A: Unfortunately the recommendation is to not consume chicken that has been at room temperature for an ... | |
| Making Jam at home for sale | 1/15/2009 |
| Q: My wife and daughter have been making jams jazzed up with Potent Potables as gifts for years. They ... A: To find out if home prepared foods can be manufactured in your home I suggest you contact your local ... | |
| Thawing a Standing Rib Roast | 1/15/2009 |
| Q: I was given a standing rib roast for Christmas from my office. How long will I need to unthaw it to ... A: What a nice gift from your office. You are fortunate to work with such generous and thoughtful ... | |
| clams | 1/14/2009 |
| Q: I bought clams in the shell with a buy date of 2/16. How can fresh clams last that long? A: I don't know how that can be. Fresh, in the shell clams, are a very perishable product that must be ... | |
| thawed vacuum packed meat | 1/13/2009 |
| Q: i have a stuffed sirloin roast that i bought commercially vacuumed pack. I thawed it for few hours ... A: First...it is not recommended to defrost meat at room temperature as this gives any bacteria present ... | |
| brisket of beef | 1/13/2009 |
| Q: I made a brisket of beef 10 days ago, it was cooked for 4 hours. The leftovers have been ... A: The recommendation for cooked, refrigerated beef is that it should be consumed or frozen within 3-4 ... | |
| tomato mold | 1/13/2009 |
| Q: I make homemade salsa and I would like to know if there is something I can add so the salsa will not ... A: First, it is imperative that you are following recommended guidelines for processing salsa. Only ... | |
| turkey pie | 1/12/2009 |
| Q: Made a homemade turkey pie sat it on counter to cool 7pm about 62 degrees in room forgot it found ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume foods that can easily support the growth of ... | |
| cooking poultry | 1/11/2009 |
| Q: .I would like to know if what are the dangers of cooking unthawed poultry?thanks.. A: I assume you want to know what are the biological dangers of cooking poultry from a frozen state -- ... | |
| Business | 1/11/2009 |
| Q: I am a food and cook lover and on my wedding I developed a dry grain soup as party favors. Everybody ... A: First, congratulations on your marriage and for providing your guests with a delicious take home ... | |
| when to freeze | 1/6/2009 |
| Q: Carol, when you prepare a big casserole & divide it into two pans, one for now & one to freeze for ... A: It is acceptable to either freeze already baked or unbaked -- it's really up to you. You may want ... | |
| Roy's aluminum foil/spots on ham ? of 10/30/08 | 1/6/2009 |
| Q: I've had these spots occur after I covered a honey glazed ham (that I baked), with Reynold's wrap. ... A: It is not unusual for foil to react with foods, especially foods that contain salt, vinegar, are ... | |
| home made salsa | 1/6/2009 |
| Q: We had home made salsa in the refrigerator from Christmas. When you remove the lid from the jar, ... A: I don't know what is going on with your salsa but anytime food appears bubbly when it shouldn't is a ... | |
| Microwaves and Shelfish allergies | 1/5/2009 |
| Q: I have a severe shellfish allergy and live in a dorm. Some days I need to use the community ... A: While there may be a slight risk of cooking a food in a microwave that had been previously been used ... | |
| Ham & Bean soup tastes sour | 1/5/2009 |
| Q: Carol, I made Senate Bean Soup and left it out in the pot on the stove. The house is cold enough and ... A: Cooked beans are high in carbohydrates, and warm cooked carbohydrates can ferment, or sour, quickly. ... | |
| Refreezing stock | 1/5/2009 |
| Q: I froze a turkey carcass last week and have just defrosted and boiled the bones. Can I now refreeze ... A: Yes you can freeze the stock. You might consider freezing in proportions that you would use in ... | |
| smoked honeybaked ham | 1/5/2009 |
| Q: How long is a smoked honey baked ham good for when refridgerated A: The general recommendation for all hams once they are served and stored as leftovers is they should ... | |
| vodka sauce | 1/5/2009 |
| Q: I have a container of homemade vodka sauce that is @10 days old. No signs of mold, etc. How long ... A: I assume by vodka sauce you are referring to a tomato-based sauce for pasta. Pasta sauces, ... | |
| Thawing turkey | 1/4/2009 |
| Q: Approximately how long will it take to thaw a 15lb turkey in the refrigerator? Thanks, Brenda A: The general guideline is to figure 1 day of defrosting for each 5 lbs of turkey. The minimum time ... | |
| Frozen cheesecake | 1/4/2009 |
| Q: I have a store purchased pumpkin cheesecake that has been frozen for one year and two months. Is it ... A: Good is a relative question -- good in quality or good as in safe to consume? As far as safe to ... | |
| food safety | 1/4/2009 |
| Q: What is the shelf life of canned chicken broth? A: The usual recommendation on canned foods is 1 to 1.5 years for fruits and 2-5 years for vegetables ... | |
| Ham & Bean soup tastes sour | 1/3/2009 |
| Q: Carol, I made Senate Bean Soup and left it out in the pot on the stove. The house is cold enough and ... A: I know you hate to waste food, but from what you describe your soup has fermented and is now ... | |
| FOOD SAFTY | 1/3/2009 |
| Q: I LEFFT OUT BRAISED SHORT RIBS ALL NIGHT,IS IT STILL EDIBLE? A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume meats that have been left out of refrigeration ... | |
| Safety of home bottling for public consumption | 1/3/2009 |
| Q: We are a small gourmet hamper company representing foods from our local area. Among these foods are ... A: First....stop immediately with selling these items to the public. You are producing a product that ... | |
| Food saftey for shredded chedder cheese and turkey/smoked ham lunch meat | 12/30/2008 |
| Q: I recently received some shredded cheddar cheese, turkey and smoked ham lunch meat from a friend. ... A: The general rule of thumb for foods in a refrigerator when it quits working is to keep the door ... | |
| bottling mayo based sauces | 12/30/2008 |
| Q: I have a few sauces that I think might sell well at our farmers market.I might have access to a com. ... A: It depends on what kind of sauces you are considering and their pH. Low acid sauces -- sauces with ... | |
| Pre-frozen (and thawed) shishkebobs sent to me | 12/30/2008 |
| Q: I do not know if she sent them frozen and they thawed along the way. Time in transit was probably ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume thawed meat products that have been out of ... | |
| ground pork | 12/29/2008 |
| Q: We recently had a pig processed and some of the meat was ground to use for sausage purposes. The ... A: The recommendation for thawed ground meat (pork, beef, etc) is to refrigerate up to 2-3 days. As ... | |
| fully cooked, packaged ham | 12/28/2008 |
| Q: I bought a vacuum-sealed pack of diced ham on Monday afternoon. On Thursday afternoon, I found it in ... A: You should definately pitch the diced ham! Even though it is labeled "fully cooked" and ... | |
| Using chicken unthawed on counter for broth? | 12/28/2008 |
| Q: Carol, Like many of your questioners, I had solidly frozen one-half chicken on the counter about ... A: The recommendation is to not use chicken that has been at room temperature overnight for any purpose ... | |
| Ham | 12/23/2008 |
| Q: My husband was given a Deer Creek spiral ham at work. It was frozen when he brought it home but we ... A: The general recommendation for ham is once defrosted it should be cooked within 1 week. However, if ... | |
| Freezer at 20F | 12/23/2008 |
| Q: How long is food safe in a garage freezer that reached 20F during recent bitter cold temperatures ... A: It is safe to store foods in a freezer that is at 20 degrees but the quality (color, flavor, and ... | |
| duck | 12/23/2008 |
| Q: can you re freeze a duck that is still in the orginal container. and can you partically cook the ... A: Yes, you can freeze a duck in it's original container if the container is air tight. If the duck ... | |
| Honey Storage | 12/23/2008 |
| Q: I have some honey that is in cans. The cans are sealed. I do not know when they were canned. The ... A: Bulging, leaking cans of any food is usually a sign that the contents are either not safe to consume ... | |
| freezing uncooked manicotti | 12/22/2008 |
| Q: My mother wants to make her homemade Manicotti but was wondering if she can freeze them raw. She ... A: Yes, you can freeze the manicotti unbaked. Raw eggs when combined with the filling ingredients ... | |
| vacuum sealed beef tenderloin | 12/22/2008 |
| Q: I am embarrassed to say that I have forgotten I had a vacuum sealed beef tenderloin in the ... A: Sorry...I think it would be best to forget about this tenderloin. While vacuum sealing does ... | |
| freezer storage time for smoked ham | 12/22/2008 |
| Q: I have kept a large frozen smoked ham in my freezer since Christmas 2007. I have not had the time to ... A: As far as safety of the ham -- yes it is safe to use. But quality-wise -- it probably won't be the ... | |
| john morrell ham with sell by date | 12/22/2008 |
| Q: I bought a vacumned sealed John Morrel ham that has a sell by date of January 9 last Friday ... A: If you purchased the ham in the refrigerator section of the grocery store, the store could have sold ... | |
| safety of cream cheese in truffles, unrefrigerated | 12/21/2008 |
| Q: I am making a truffles recipe for Xmas gifts, which consist of main ingrediants of melted chocolate ... A: Yes, your truffles should be refrigerated for safety. When stored tightly covered in the ... | |
| health factors in non-stick fry pans? | 12/20/2008 |
| Q: a 20-something guy in the family wants a non-stick fry pan. I figured calphalon would be good ... A: As far as safest, any pan that is used according to the manufacturers recommendations is safe. The ... | |
| Black spots on sweet potatoes when cut | 12/20/2008 |
| Q: I wash my sweet potatoes and then cut out the "bad spots". Many times, the sweet potatoes turn black ... A: The darkening is caused be a reaction between the air and chemicals released from the cut potato ... | |
| WASHING LETTUCE/POTATOES | 12/20/2008 |
| Q: What is the best way to wash lettuce? Should you wash potatoes before storing these, to remove mud? ... A: First, an excellent, research-based fact sheet on washing and storing fruits and vegetables is ... | |
| Ham | 12/20/2008 |
| Q: I have a sprial ham fully cooked that I plan to cook for Christmas but I just opened the referator ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume the ham. Even though it was fully cooked, ... | |
| Floor Sanitation at the Work Place | 12/20/2008 |
| Q: I hope I am asking the right person to answer my question, if not could you please direct the to ... A: The current Illinois Dept. of Health Food Service Sanitation Code, Section 750.1200 does not specify ... | |
| Left out chichen soup | 12/19/2008 |
| Q: My daughter left the chichen soup made with leftover chichen and bones out overnight. Would you ... A: NO...leftover soup made with poultry, beef, fish, etc should be refrigerated within 2 hours of ... | |
| Eggs | 12/18/2008 |
| Q: An acquaintance has begun raising chickens in her suburban yard and is selling the eggs. I like the ... A: Actually, the incidence of salmonella in free range and/or locally grown eggs is very similar to ... | |
| cooked squash | 12/17/2008 |
| Q: Is cooked squash safe after it has been left out over night on the counter? A: It is recommended to refrigerate cooked carbohydrates (vegetables, pasta, rice, potatoes, etc)as ... | |
| Pork (City Chicken) | 12/17/2008 |
| Q: I baked a cookie sheet worth of city chicken in the oven, pulled it out and put the pieces in a ... A: Maybe...and maybe not. When you cook potentially hazardous foods like chicken, and then leave them ... | |
| chicken left uncooked in oven | 12/16/2008 |
| Q: So I bought a fresh chicken today. I never froze it - just prepared it & pre-heated the oven as soon ... A: Unfortunately, my advice is to pitch the chicken. Here's why... Chicken and other poultry products ... | |
| defrosted hamburger | 12/15/2008 |
| Q: I left hamburger (frozen) out overnight and it defrosted. Is it safe to eat 12-18 hrs. later? A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume hamburger that has defrosted at room temperature ... | |
| Smoked Ham | 12/15/2008 |
| Q: I purchased a Smoked Half Ham on Dec.8. How long can that be kept in the refrigerator before I need ... A: The general recommendation is to refrigerate purchased smoked ham for up to 5 days after purchase. ... | |
| Storing Lasagna | 12/15/2008 |
| Q: I am making a few pans of Lasagna ahead of time for a party next week. I also have enough for ... A: Disposable aluminum baking pans are made from a more sturdy, coated aluminum than aluminum foil and ... | |
| taking home banquet food | 12/14/2008 |
| Q: i was told that i could not take the left over food from my banquet because florida health laws ... A: I am not familiar with Florida's Food Code nor could I find it online but I do suggest that you ... | |
| smoked ham | 12/14/2008 |
| Q: I will be purchasing a locally produced smoked ham on Dec.20 to be baked on Dec.25. Will it be safe ... A: The general guideline for smoked ham that is not packaged and dated is a maximum of 3-4 days. I ... | |
| safety of jam left out | 12/14/2008 |
| Q: my homemade strawberry jam was left out at room temperature (after being opened) for ten hours; is ... A: As jam is not a potentially hazardous food (does not readily support the growth of harmful bacteria) ... | |
| Canned crab meat | 12/13/2008 |
| Q: I just opened two cans of Crown Prince crab meat that I've had for quite some time and noted that ... A: I have forwarded your question to a University of Maryland Seafood Specialist and as soon as I get ... | |
| cake | 12/13/2008 |
| Q: can i leave cake out overnight and eat it the next day. A: Yes -- most cakes can be successfully left at room temperature and be safe. The only exceptions are ... | |
| Frying fish and meat in same oil | 12/8/2008 |
| Q: How great is our risk of allergic reactions if we fry fish and chicken in the same oil? A: According to Allergicchild.com and foodallergy.org, the risk of cross contamination is possible if ... | |
| Frozen Burgers - 6 months old | 12/8/2008 |
| Q: I just realized in the back of my freezer I have those ready made hamburgers that I have not ... A: As long as the burgers have remained frozen they are safe to consume. Frozen food guidelines are ... | |
| duck | 12/7/2008 |
| Q: I took 6 duck legs out of the freeze on a thursday to thaw (refrigerated) for cooking the following ... A: Duck falls under the same guidelines as other poultry products. With that said, once defrosted, all ... | |
| home made tomato meat sauce | 12/7/2008 |
| Q: How long is it safe to store/use pasta sauce that was stored in a frig after making it? I quickly ... A: The recommendation for refrigeration of homemade or purchased tomato sauce is to use within 5-7 ... | |
| Half frozen pre-cooked meatballs left out over night | 12/7/2008 |
| Q: I left half frozen pre-cooked meatballs out over night. Are they still safe to consume? A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume meats that have been defrosted overnight at room ... | |
| Chili slow cooking all day | 12/7/2008 |
| Q: On football game days, my husband like to have a pot of chili on low on the stove top all day long, ... A: As long as he initially cooks the chili to an internal temperature of at least 160 and then holds it ... | |
| Roast Left in Sink... | 12/6/2008 |
| Q: I accidentally left a large roast in our sink for about 4 hours. Is it safe to eat, or should I ... A: I assume from your description of where the roast was left that you were defrosting it in the sink. ... | |
| Food Probs | 12/4/2008 |
| Q: Recently I have had some problems with food not being the quality it should be right from the store. ... A: I think you need to bring your concerns to the store where you purchased the suspect food. Hopefully ... | |
| Cooked Chicken | 12/3/2008 |
| Q: I baked three large breaded chicken breasts that were going to be used for the next night's dinner. ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not reheat and eat the chicken breasts. Here's why... ... | |
| baked potatoes | 12/3/2008 |
| Q: My husband left some baked potatoes in the oven overnight. He thinks that they should be safe to ... A: You are correct to be dubious as cooked carbohydrates such as potatoes are capable of supporting the ... | |
| Egg Noodles | 12/2/2008 |
| Q: I accidentally left some frozen egg noodles out overnight but then immediately threw them back in ... A: Unfortunately, the answer is to throw them away. Frozen egg noodles left at room temperature ... | |
| Reheated soup back in main pot | 12/2/2008 |
| Q: We made a large pot of Turkey soup and are only reheating what we need daily. If we take out too ... A: It's normally not recommended to mix previously heated and served leftovers with unheated leftovers. ... | |
| Turkey bones left out | 12/2/2008 |
| Q: I cooked a turkey and left the bones sit out overnight, as I was going to toss them in the dumpster, ... A: Unfortunately, leaving bones out all night is not a safe practice and the recommendation is to error ... | |
| delivered smoked turkey | 12/2/2008 |
| Q: My employer gave me a smoked turkey that had been shipped in a box with no dry ice or anything. ... A: It is odd that the turkey arrived with no sign of trying to keep it cold (gel packs, dry ice, etc). ... | |
| meat Sandwiches | 12/1/2008 |
| Q: hey, would serving meat sandwiches that were in a warm room for 12 hours cause damages? A: Yes, it is possible that meat sandwiches that have been at room temperature 12 hours could be ... | |
| Waffles | 12/1/2008 |
| Q: Mary, can you please tell me how to make waffles so they don't stick to the waffle griddle? It says ... A: I lightly spray both the bottom and top grids with vegetable release spray (non-stick spray) before ... | |
| commercial kitchen | 12/1/2008 |
| Q: I want to lease a small space to have a commercial kitchen to make ice cream for wholesale. Please ... A: I suggest you check out this website for information: ... | |
| Turkey | 12/1/2008 |
| Q: Carol: My wife and I cooked a turkey breast last night for 1 1/2 hours at 370 degrees. When we took ... A: The scenario you described is a recipe for potential food borne illness. Here's why... Turkey and ... | |
| clam chowder | 11/30/2008 |
| Q: Can clam chowder be reheated after being left out over night? A: The recommendation is to not reheat foods containing dairy products, fish and shellfish, poultry and ... | |
| canned sardines | 11/30/2008 |
| Q: Are sardines vacuum packed, and should i hear a pop or some other air sound when opening the can? Is ... A: Sardines are canned before cooking. The can is filled with steam and heated in order to cook the ... | |
| Pork | 11/30/2008 |
| Q: I have a frozen marinated pork roast uncooked that set out all night. Is it spoiled now? A: The recommendation is to not defrost meat at room temperature as any bacteria on the surface of the ... | |
| cooking chicken | 11/30/2008 |
| Q: When cooking large amounts does one have to bake chicken longer or at a higher temperature? I have ... A: When you double a recipe, the general recommendation is to cook or bake the food 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 ... | |
| food safety | 11/29/2008 |
| Q: How long is it ok to leave food sitting out? I know a family that leaves cheeseburgers and chinese ... A: The general recommendation is to not let foods that should be either kept hot or cold at room ... | |
| soft cheeses | 11/29/2008 |
| Q: What is the best way of cutting soft cheeses, wire or knife and what is the best board surface to ... A: Cutting soft cheese works well with either wire or a special soft cheese knife. The problem with ... | |
| Frozen pasta stored in Refrigerator | 11/24/2008 |
| Q: I accidentally left some store-bought pasta for a week or so, that should've been kept frozen in ... A: I don't have experience with frozen pasta that has been defrosting in the refrigerator for a week. ... | |
| defrosted fish | 11/23/2008 |
| Q: how long does fish stay good if is left sealed in its cyro pack while defrosted in the refrigerator? ... A: Vacuum sealed fish does last longer in the refrigerator than fish that is exposed to the air. The ... | |
| selling baked goods | 11/23/2008 |
| Q: In the state of Missouri can i sell home baked goods to my friends and family w/out license? and if ... A: In Missouri, the law states that when you sell food to people (relatives, friends or the general ... | |
| safety of aluminum drinking containers for kids | 11/22/2008 |
| Q: I just bought aluminum water bottles for my kids and was informed by my mom that the aluminum could ... A: I know how confusing and difficult it is to purchase water bottles these days with the internet ... | |
| frozen fruit | 11/22/2008 |
| Q: i accidently lefta bunch of bananas and apples in my car for 24 hours in 0 degree weather last night ... A: Bananas and apples can be frozen but will change texture and color once the are defrosted. For ... | |
| bloody mary mix | 11/22/2008 |
| Q: I canned bloody mary mix. I steamed the tomatoes, then put them through a ricer to extract the juice ... A: As I don't have a research-based and tested recipe for bloody mary mix I can't give you a definitive ... | |
| Thawing a frozen honey-glazed ham | 11/22/2008 |
| Q: Carol,I have a 7-9 lb.Logan Farms fully cooked spiral sliced honey-glazed ham that has been in the ... A: Yes, you understand correctly that your ham which has been in the freezer for 10 months is still ... | |
| hydrogenated vegetable oil | 11/21/2008 |
| Q: I've been reading about hydrogenated vegetable oil and how dangerous it is. With Christmas coming ... A: Hydrogenated vegetable fat and hydrogenated vegetable oil are the same thing. Hydrogenated fats are ... | |
| turkey | 11/21/2008 |
| Q: I set my turkey out on the counter all night still frozen and in it's packaging to start thawing and ... A: When defrosting at room temperature, the outside of the turkey defrosts first and warms to ... | |
| Botulism from moldy partially opened can of beans | 11/21/2008 |
| Q: I grabbed a can of baked beans in tomato sauce from the pantry and the top of it was open just a ... A: I assume from your description that the top of the can was not bulging-- just that it was slightly ... | |
| Expired Dill Pickle Relish | 11/20/2008 |
| Q: I just put Hytop Dill Pickle Relish on a burger. Took one bite. It tasted bitter. Looked at jar ... A: As pickles are an acidic food, and acidic foods do not very readily support the growth of bacteria, ... | |
| pre cooked ribs | 11/20/2008 |
| Q: ARE EITHER STILL OK TO EAT??-- THANK YOU A: The one in the refrigerator should not be consumed as it is past it's "Best if used by" date. The ... | |
| ham | 11/20/2008 |
| Q: just purchased a Ridge Creek Spiral cut ham from Sam's club. How long can I keep it in the ... A: If you purchased the ham in the refrigerated section at Sam's check to see if it has a "sell-by" ... | |
| Salad Dressing Preservation | 11/20/2008 |
| Q: I have a unique Vinegarette salad dressing that I'm looking to start selling. I'm not sure where to ... A: As your dressing would need to be bottled for selling, it will need to be tested for pH, shelf-life ... | |
| thawing turkey | 11/19/2008 |
| Q: My niece put a 17 pound frozen turkey in her car at 10 am not knowing the temperature outside would ... A: Unfortunately, the turkey was in the perfect temperature for bacterial growth for 9+ hours. Poultry ... | |
| Pre-Test for Certified Food Manager | 11/19/2008 |
| Q: I am looking for a pre-test for taking the Certified Food Manager course. Specifically, I want to ... A: Check out these resources: 1. www.fearnotest.com 2. ... | |
| wedding cake | 11/18/2008 |
| Q: i have a top tier of my wedding cake and it has been frozen for 4 1/2 years how long should i ... A: Begin defrosting the cake in your refrigerator one day before you wish to frost it. Then remove the ... | |
| Freezing leftover ham | 11/18/2008 |
| Q: Can I freeze leftover cured ham? Say, after baked ham dinner I make beans and ham and want to ... A: Yes, it is safe to freeze leftover cured ham as well as ham and beans. The quality of the ham and ... | |
| Black color and metallic odor inside can of tomato product | 11/18/2008 |
| Q: After opening two cans of a tomato puree product, I noticed a black color on some areas inside, near ... A: While it is disturbing to open tomato puree and find black spots, it is safe to consume. Tomatoes ... | |
| Chili left out 3 hours in tuperware container covered | 11/17/2008 |
| Q: I made a batch of chili last night then stored it in the fridge in a tupperware container over ... A: The general recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods (meats, poultry, fish, ... | |
| nutrition | 11/17/2008 |
| Q: I am interested in becoming a nutritionist,i can't find certificate or diploma programs in Chicago. A: I suggest you contact the University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Human Nutrition, Kirsten A ... | |
| French Toast leftovers | 11/17/2008 |
| Q: Carol: Hello. I hope you are doing well today. My question is relating to French Toast leftovers. ... A: I hope you are doing well today too!! I assume when you mean left overs that you mean the egg ... | |
| Re-heating baked potatoes | 11/17/2008 |
| Q: What is the best way to re-heat baked potatoes? Can they be re-heated in their original foil? I ... A: Unfortunately, baked potatoes do not reheat well as the texture and flavor change remarkably from ... | |
| thawing meat | 11/8/2008 |
| Q: I would like to know if I take thawed meat eat part freeze the balance take it out of the freezer ... A: Yes, it is safe to thaw meat and refreeze it for later use. As long as you thaw in the refrigerator ... | |
| Preserving Candies | 11/8/2008 |
| Q: My daughter will be married in July. We are having a "sweet shop" at the reception with candy as ... A: First, congratulations to you on the upcoming marriage of your daughter. Before you invest a lot ... | |
| old canned tomatoes | 11/8/2008 |
| Q: my husband just made a batch of chili. it has a slight tinny aftertaste so i asked him about the ... A: Tomatoes canned in steel or aluminum cans have a tendency to react with the lining of the can after ... | |
| Silver tarnish in food | 11/7/2008 |
| Q: Is silver tarnish in food harmful to eat? I finished cooking vege beef soup last night (with ... A: This is a good question which I don't know the definitive answer. While I do know that tomatoes can ... | |
| shredded pork | 11/7/2008 |
| Q: It was left out for about 8 hrs can it still be eaten. A: No...the recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods (meats, dairy, fish, poultry, ... | |
| Vacuum packed carne and pollo asada | 11/7/2008 |
| Q: I purchased marinated carne asada and marinated pollo asada from the refridgerated section of the ... A: Since we don't have any way of testing food at home to determine if food that has been out of ... | |
| Ripening Fruit | 11/6/2008 |
| Q: I've heard that one can ripen underripe bananas by putting them in a brown paper bag for a period. ... A: Yes, you can speed the ripening process of bananas by putting them into a brown paper bag that is ... | |
| Storage of cooked foods | 11/6/2008 |
| Q: I prepared spaghetti with hamburger in the sauce on Saturday. It has been refrigerated since dinner ... A: The general recommendation is that cooked leftovers can be safely refrigerated for 4-5 days. Since ... | |
| Meat spoiled? Crockpot on warm first hours. | 11/6/2008 |
| Q: Cooking a pot roast in my crockpot, I mistakenly set it to WARM (not LOW). Realized error after 4-5 ... A: To be considered safe, the temperature of your roast should have risen to 140 degrees within 4 hours ... | |
| Botulism in home canned green beans | 11/6/2008 |
| Q: I have been reading lately about botulism in home canned low acid foods. Probably reading too much ... A: First, there is no danger of botulism if you can low acid foods at the correct pressure, and for the ... | |
| cook pork left outside | 10/30/2008 |
| Q: last night I put a casserole of pork chops with fruit and vegetables outside to cool. It was 40 ... A: If your casserole cooled down to and remained at 41 degrees or below the entire time then I would ... | |
| Deli Ham | 10/30/2008 |
| Q: I bought deli ham on sunday and have kept it in the bag in my fridge until yesterday (Wednesday). I ... A: What you described is the beginning of food spoilage occuring on your deli ham. While food spoilage ... | |
| Ridge Creek Ham | 10/30/2008 |
| Q: I purchased a Spiral cut ham from Sams club. I placed in a pan on a rack with water under it. I then ... A: I'm going to refer your question to Dr. Tom Carr, Meat specialist at University of Illinois for his ... | |
| home based cooking business | 10/29/2008 |
| Q: .. My name is Denise and i live in Elmhurst,Il. Cooking id my passion...i am not professionally ... A: First, to be legal you will need a separate kitchen from your family kitchen. This inspected ... | |
| spareribs | 10/28/2008 |
| Q: how long can pork spareribs be frozen? A: The recommendation is to freeze uncooked pork spareribs for best quality up to 12 months. Cooked ... | |
| Washing Meet | 10/28/2008 |
| Q: I have a friend who refuses to wash any meat she cooks. I personally think this is one of the most ... A: I hate to break it to you Lisa, but it is not recommended to wash meat and poultry before cooking. ... | |
| tomato juice shelf life | 10/28/2008 |
| Q: I read someone's answer about the 'use within 1 year' rule for getting best quality. I have juice I ... A: The recommendation of using home canned foods within 1 year is based on maximum quality. When food ... | |
| defrosting pork chops | 10/27/2008 |
| Q: .. I placed 2 boneless pork chops in the fridge to defrost on Saturday. Now that it's Monday, are ... A: Yes - the pork chops should be fine to cook tonight. The general rule is that meats like pork and ... | |
| blueberries | 10/27/2008 |
| Q: iqf zrozen blueberries were pulled out of the fridge saturday night, left out this weekend and ... A: So you are telling me you pulled out the frozen blueberries from the freezer and left them out at ... | |
| storing chicken soup | 10/27/2008 |
| Q: My husband made soup today around noon time. It sat on the stove all day and was cool by supper ... A: Your husband should have put the soup in the refrigerator within 2 hours of turning off the heat to ... | |
| sroring hot sauces | 10/26/2008 |
| Q: We have a variety of hot pepper sauces, e.g., Tabasco, chipotle, Louisiana, Texas, etc. Do these ... A: Because of its natural acidity, hot pepper sauces are shelf stable. However, their stability after ... | |
| milk | 10/26/2008 |
| Q: Assuming you don't pass the "use by" date, and it has been appropriately kept and handled, how long ... A: You are right...milk is only safely sealed to prevent tampering and spillage. (How much did you have ... | |
| left out food | 10/26/2008 |
| Q: I left out a cassarole of cheesey scalloped potatos last night by accident. They were covered and ... A: The recommendation is to not consume cooked carbohydrates (vegetables, pasta, rice, etc) that has ... | |
| cryvac cured meat safety | 10/26/2008 |
| Q: I purchased a package of cured virginia ham slices (thin like proscutto) at a supermarket in ... A: Packaging potentially hazardous foods in cyrvac does extend the refrigerator shelf life of the ... | |
| chicken | 10/26/2008 |
| Q: I accidently left a 3 lb. bag of chicken out of the freezer, not meaning to. It was left out for ... A: I can only imagine the horrible smell in your basement. I am not aware of any lingering harmful ... | |
| Spoilage of chicken | 10/25/2008 |
| Q: I purchased four chicken breasts a little over a week ago and stored them in the meat tray of the ... A: The "sell by" date on the chicken is there to help the grocery store to rotate their stock and to ... | |
| selling bakery items in Georgia | 10/25/2008 |
| Q: Do you know what's involved in selling home made cookies baked in my kitchen in Georgia? Thanks, ... A: First, I would start with your local health department. They will be able to tell you what is ... | |
| Selling baked goods from home | 10/24/2008 |
| Q: I live in North Carolina and I would like to start selling cupcakes from home. I'm not sure if I ... A: I'm sorry that I hit the wrong button before I had a chance to answer your question. As the kids ... | |
| Cooked Pork Loin | 10/24/2008 |
| Q: I cooked a Pork loin lastnight and left it to cool then i forgot to put it in the fridge and it was ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not eat meat products that have sat out at room temperature ... | |
| SOY YOGURT | 10/24/2008 |
| Q: I used a new recipe to make SOY YOGURT incubating it in my crock pot. It did NOT thicken. I think ... A: Yes, I think the yogurt would be safe to use for other purposes. Have you checked out this website ... | |
| RAOS VODKA SAUCE | 10/22/2008 |
| Q: I have an unopened jar of RAO's Vodka Sauce in my pantry, and am unsure as to how long ago I ... A: I don't know the shelf life of this product but if you contact RAO I'm sure they would be able to ... | |
| Is it safe to eat? | 10/22/2008 |
| Q: We made a very large moussaka (using cooked ground beef and vegetables) late last night. When it ... A: The recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods (meats, poultry, eggs, dairy) that ... | |
| Food Preservation | 10/22/2008 |
| Q: What I like to do every weekend is...chop an assorted amount of vegetables, fruits and throw them ... A: I think if you read the following research article on the nutritional comparison of fresh, frozen ... | |
| cooked ham with plastic on it | 10/22/2008 |
| Q: I forgot to take the plastic off the semi boneless ham before I cooked it. The plastic did not seem ... A: I think that as long as the plastic did not melt you should be able to safely consume the ham. For ... | |
| Botulism commercial food | 10/21/2008 |
| Q: I am wondering about the safety of commercially canned foods. Ever since the botulism outbreaks in ... A: Yes -- if the toxin is present, it is killed by heating to 212 degrees F for 10 minutes. The C. ... | |
| Botulism commercial food | 10/21/2008 |
| Q: I am wondering about the safety of commercially canned foods. Ever since the botulism outbreaks in ... A: I think your fear of commercially canned foods is overblown though I do understand your reluctance ... | |
| Frozen Pizza advice in Michigan | 10/21/2008 |
| Q: I am starting new line of specialty pizza for the frozen food aisle. Who can I contact in Michigan ... A: I would contact the following for specific food processing questions: Michigan Food Processors ... | |
| ground beef | 10/20/2008 |
| Q: I purchased a large package of extra lean ground beef at costco that said sell by 10/16/08 I used a ... A: The general recommendation for ground beef is that is should be used within 1-2 days of the "sold ... | |
| Brass kitchen utensils | 10/20/2008 |
| Q: Is it safe to use brass kitchen utensils? Such as butter knives, cheese spreaders, serving spoons ... A: Brass falls in the same classification as does copper. It is reactive and typically should only be ... | |
| frozen beef | 10/20/2008 |
| Q: I have various cuts of frozen beef (including ground beef) that was packaged for freezing in ... A: Yes -- it is safe to use frozen beef that is 2 years old. As long as the meat was continually ... | |
| Cooked pork left out all night | 10/20/2008 |
| Q: I made some shredded pork last night for tacos and forgot to refrigerate it. It was out from 10pm ... A: The recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods (meat, dairy, poultry, etc) that ... | |
| food packaging | 10/19/2008 |
| Q: I've come up with a nutritionally dense cookie with no preservatives and need to explore packaging ... A: Are you asking for yourself or for the purpose of selling the cookie? If it is the later, you will ... | |
| botteling bbq sauce for resale | 10/19/2008 |
| Q: My wife works for a gluten free bakery and they ship all over and sell locally. Because they have ... A: Becoming a small food processor of a bbq sauce from your home is possible -- but not very probable. ... | |
| dehydrated soups | 10/19/2008 |
| Q: Sorry, I gave you the wrong e-mail address last time. How long will dehydrated soup mixes last in an ... A: Here's what I said in your original email: Dehydrated soups, unlike women, do not get better with ... | |
| watermelon shelf life | 10/19/2008 |
| Q: I just ate some watermelon that had been stored uncut in a refrigerator for two months, am I going ... A: I doubt that you are going to become ill. Fruits and vegetables can be cold storage for a long time. ... | |
| Hamburger | 10/18/2008 |
| Q: Ok my husband and I went shopping a few days ago. Well instead of putting the hamburger in the ... A: What is the sale by date on the hamburger? This date will give you a cue as to how long the ... | |
| Freezing Unused Sauerkraut | 10/18/2008 |
| Q: Can I Freeze Unused, uncooked Sauerkraut in a Freezer bag? And if so how long can I keep it for? A: According to University of Missouri Extension Food Specialist, Barbara Willenberg, sauerkraut may be ... | |
| clam chowder | 10/17/2008 |
| Q: we had 2 gallons left out overnight of homemade clam chowder we through it out. could we have saved ... A: No...you did the right thing. I know it hurts to throw out what could be food that is still safe, ... | |
| Meat defrosting | 10/17/2008 |
| Q: Carol, I left two pounds of hamburger out on the counter overnight to defrost by am. I cooked it ... A: Unfortunately there isn't a home test to conduct on the hamburger to determine if it is still safe. ... | |
| Canning Salsa...forgot vinegar | 10/16/2008 |
| Q: I canned 7 pints of homemade salsa yesterday. I think I might have forgotten the vinegar...what can ... A: If you left out the vinegar then the pH of the product is probably in a range that could support the ... | |
| Ricotta Cheese | 10/16/2008 |
| Q: I want to ask you about the shelf life of Ricotta Cheese. In the following web address i found some ... A: It appears from this study that holding open ricotta cheese in a refrigerator at 6C (42.8 degrees F) ... | |
| Another question about freezing ham | 10/16/2008 |
| Q: I was wondering, I have 3 halves of fully cooked ham tavern Ham that have been wrapped in plastic ... A: As long as meats are fully frozen, they are safe to consume regardless of the amount of time they ... | |
| defrosted hamburger meat left out 6 days | 10/14/2008 |
| Q: I put the hamburger in the fridge last Wed. and now it is Tuesday the 6th day, is it still good?? A: The general recommendation is that ground meat should be used within 2-3 days of defrosting. While ... | |
| Home Canned Tomatoes | 10/13/2008 |
| Q: A friend of mine gave me home canned tomatoes that are in quart jars. They were water-bathed for ... A: If you check out the canning tomato section at www.homefoodpreservation.com, you'll see that quart ... | |
| quiche | 10/13/2008 |
| Q: My son and I made a quiche last night right before bed. I took it out to cool on the counter but ... A: The recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods (eggs, meat, dairy, etc) that have ... | |
| cooked roast beef | 10/12/2008 |
| Q: I thoroughly cooked rump roast on stove in beef broth and onions. I turned off the burner and it ... A: The recommendation is to refrigerate cooked meats within 2 hours. Meat that sits out at room ... | |
| Cooked meat overnight | 10/11/2008 |
| Q: Last night I cooked a crockpot meal for my boyfriend and I, some beef roast, and we ended up losing ... A: Yes, it is possible to become ill from consuming undercooked meats that have been at a temperature ... | |
| Quiche | 10/6/2008 |
| Q: I made a quiche Sunday morning and want to send a portion to a friend by overnight mail. Crazy, I ... A: It's not recommended to send frozen potentially hazardous foods (foods like eggs, meat, poultry, ... | |
| Extended Shelf Life for Salad dressing | 10/5/2008 |
| Q: Have a great day. ANSWER: Hi William, I don't quite understand the question. Are you asking how ... A: So I assume that the container of Creamy Italian was a product that was made and then stored as ... | |
| VACUUM PACK CHICKEN | 10/5/2008 |
| Q: AFTER THAWING UNDER REFRIGERATION. HOW LONG CAN CHICKEN THAT IS IN VACUUM PACK PLASTIC BE HELD IN A ... A: The general recommendation for the storage of properly thawed chicken is using within 1-2 days. As ... | |
| Making Applesauce | 10/1/2008 |
| Q: Is it safe to cook the entire apple, including the seeds when making applesauce at home? A: While it is safe to cook the entire apple when making applesauce, it makes it much more difficult to ... | |
| Thawing Chicken | 9/30/2008 |
| Q: I left a pack of frozen boneless chicken breast on the counter. They were frozen solid at 10 pm and ... A: The recommendation is to not cook potentially hazardous foods that have completely defrosted at room ... | |
| minced steak | 9/29/2008 |
| Q: i took mincr from the freezer yesterday but forgot about it and left it out overnight... it was ... A: Meat | |