Food Safety Issues - Protecting your Home and Family - Parenting/Family

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About Carol Schlitt
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).

Experience
I am an Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety. I am a certified HACCP manager and a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Organizations
International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Society for Nutrition Education.

Education/Credentials
BS - University of Illinois MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville

You are here: Experts > Parenting/Family > Protecting your Home and Family > Food Safety Issues

Questions Answered By Expert Carol Schlitt
In Category Food Safety Issues

Subject	Date Asked

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 that has been left at room temperature for defrosting is not considered a safe food to cook and ...
Fruit and Vegetable sticker codes	9/28/2008
Q: There are little stickers on all fruits and some vegetables these days. I have heard they are coded ... A: I suggest you check out this website provided by University of Missouri Extension for a good ...
cooked rotissere chicken bought from store	9/28/2008
Q: How many days can I eat the chicken until it gets too old to eat? A: The general recommendation for cooked chicken is 3-4 days. While the chicken may be still safe to ...
chicken soup	9/28/2008
Q: we made chicken stock from scratch yesterday. we turned off the stove at 8pm. my room mate forgot ... A: You are right....chicken stock with chicken parts that have sat at room temperature overnight should ...
Chicken with bleach odor	9/28/2008
Q: Many times when I buy chicken at our local supermarket, I will notice an odor of bleach on the ... A: Have you spoken with the meat manager at our local supermarket about this odor? Chances are either ...
Defrosted pork chops	9/27/2008
Q: I defrosted pork chops in the refrigerator over night and they are now defrosted. How long can they ... A: Defrosted meats such as pork chops should be cooked within 3-4 days so you do not need to cook them ...
Chicken Broth	9/27/2008
Q: I have Trader Joes chicken broth that I put in a bowl in the microwave for a minute and ate a few ... A: While the directions indicate heat and serve or heat thoroughly, any commercially canned or ...
Ingesting Mold	9/26/2008
Q: I found mold in my 22 month old twins sippy cup at the daycare. My son has had a sinus infection for ... A: Repeated ingestion of mold and mold spores can cause allergic reactions such as headaches, runny ...
Pork Loin Roast	9/26/2008
Q: How long can a defrosted pork loin stay in the refrig. A: The recommendation for defrosted, whole muscle meat, is 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. For a ...
Frozen grapes and gooseberries	9/25/2008
Q: How long can you keep frozen fruit in the freezer? Is it safe to use them after 1 year? A: As long as foods stay solidly frozen they are SAFE to use for years. Guidelines for frozen foods ...
Chicken	9/24/2008
Q: I pulled a sealed bag of frozen chicken out to defrost at approx 7PM and placed it in our kitchen ... A: The recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods (foods capable of easily supporting ...
Canning Jam	9/24/2008
Q: I have canned several batches of jam - both peaches and strawberries. I used 1/2 cup less sugar ... A: Yes, your jams are safe. They may not have the same consistency as jams made with more sugar (to get ...
Old deep-fry oil	9/24/2008
Q: Hey Carol, I seen your answer about when to change oil but I now have a question to your ... A: Smoking of fresh oil usually indicates it is being heated too high. Have you checked the ...
Unrefrigerated food items	9/23/2008
Q: My grandson went to school for 8 hours and left the refrigerator door open upon my returning home 3 ... A: The recommendation is that if foods that normally should be refrigerated are at a temperature above ...
chicken with paper	9/23/2008
Q: I made chicken tonight and it was not fully thawed out. So I started cooking it with the paper still ... A: I'm not aware of any problems with consuming the paper that separates chicken. If any bacteria were ...
Fully cooked ham left out overnight	9/22/2008
Q: I cooked are large bone-in ham last night...it came out of the oven about 10:30 pm. It was too hot ... A: You are right to be concerned. Protein sources such as ham can readily support the growth of ...
Milk temperatures	9/22/2008
Q: We recently lost power for two days. I had 6 1/2 gallons of organic milk from Stonyfield (great ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation for milk (soy or animal based) that has been in a refrigerator ...
Food safety and taste...	9/20/2008
Q: Schlitt, I am starting to operate my own restaurant in a short time. As I count on the words of ... A: Below is my response to your request: Tomato - chopped in small pieces - used for salad ...
Dehydrating Fruit	9/20/2008
Q: I am dehydrating peaches. Yesterday I set the timer to go off so I could check my peaches for ... A: There is a slight risk for bacterial growth but the likelihood is extremely rare. As the pH of ...
canned tomatoes	9/20/2008
Q: I recently canned 7 quarts of tomatoes. When I pulled them out of the water bath, a small amount of ... A: Loss of liquid does not cause food to spoil, though the food above the liquid may darken. They are ...
Sarsaparilla syrup	9/15/2008
Q: I found a 20 something year old bottle of "Dr. R. R. Cornett's Black Bart Sarsaparilla Syrup: Flavor ... A: The general recommendation for old foods is to not take a chance and do not consume. While it may ...
ham safety	9/14/2008
Q: We had some fully cooked vacuum sealed ham slices that have never been opened and we left it in our ... A: The recommendation is to not consume protein foods that can easily support the growth of bacteria ...
flies and food	9/11/2008
Q: I recently prepared a turkey for baking and left it on the counter for about 10-15 min. It was ... A: That's a good question. When you first noticed the flies while putting it in the oven, I'm ...
Sauce	9/11/2008
Q: I've been given a wonderful gift form my mother who passed December 2003. That gift was her ... A: What a wonderful gift your Mother passed down to you. I'm sure her sauces and salsa's (and now ...
bread	9/11/2008
Q: I bought a loaf of bread at around 6pm Tuesday night. Left it in the back of my car that night and ... A: As bread does not need to be refrigerated for safety it will be safe to consume. Leaving bread in a ...
Extended Shelf Life for Salad dressing	9/10/2008
Q: Have a great day. A: I don't quite understand the question. Are you asking how you could extend the shelf life of ...
Raw Pork Vacuum Packaging Compromised	9/10/2008
Q: I purchased a raw boneless pork loin, sealed in a heavy plastic with juice and no apparent air (I'm ... A: The meat was probably vacuum sealed but with the addition of an inert gas to help with color ...
spoiled chicken	9/9/2008
Q: Can eating cooked but spoiled chicken make you ill? thanks, A: Yes, it is possible to make you ill. While food spoilage organisms that cause the chicken to change ...
food left in the can	9/9/2008
Q: I have a roommate who leaves half cans of pasta and tomato sauce in a can uncovered in the ... A: While it is not recommended to store foods in their original cans uncovered in the refrigerator, it ...
fried hamburger	9/9/2008
Q: I fried up some ground beef early this afternoon for sloppy joes, and I forgot to put it in the ... A: The recommendation is to not consume meats that have been at room temperature over 2 hours. While ...
Food Spoilage	9/8/2008
Q: We left a batch of freshly cooked and well refrigerated (but not frozen)pork and chicken tamales ... A: The recommendation is to pitch any meat product that has been at room temperature over 2 hours. ...
food service pretest	9/7/2008
Q: do you have any idea what would be on a food service worker testi have an examon sep 10 A: I don't really know the specific questions on a food service worker test but you may find the ...
thawing hamburger	9/7/2008
Q: I took three individual one pound packages of hamburger out of the freezer last night about 10 p.m. ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not cook and eat hamburger that has defrosted at room ...
Manicotti	9/7/2008
Q: I cooked some manicotti and it was finished at 5pm. I let it cool but forgot about it until 9pm. Is ... A: The general recommendation is that hot foods should not sit out at room temperature over 2 hours. ...
moldy chicken broth	9/6/2008
Q: I was making stew and needed some extra broth. I took out a container of chicken broth from the ... A: It is possible for consuming mold to cause diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. I know you worked hard ...
canning salsa without cooking it first	9/6/2008
Q: Is it possible to can fresh salsa without cooking it if you add lemon or vineager to each quart jar. ... A: I'm not aware of a safe, tested recipe for making salsa that does not involve first cooking the ...
moldy cheese	9/4/2008
Q: My son is doing a science project and he needs to know what causes the mold to grow on cheese? We ... A: Ah...science fair project. This brings back fond memories of projects with my 2 sons. Mold grows ...
food safety	9/4/2008
Q: I have a friend from Ghana who leaves his food sitting out after being cooked & claims that bacteria ... A: As you can see, leaving food that can easily support the growth of bacteria at room temperature for ...
Expired Green Chile Sauce	9/3/2008
Q: Is it safe to cook with an unopened can of Green Chile Enchilada Sauce that says Best By Sept 14, ... A: The date on the can is provided by the manufacturer to help consumers to know that after the "best ...
Chicken broth	9/3/2008
Q: I am making pea soup and decided to soak the peas in water...then at the last minute decided to add ... A: You are right -- it wasn't a good idea to soak the peas in the chicken broth at room temperature as ...
Food Safety	9/3/2008
Q: Despite numerous attempts to influence my wife's behavior, I have been unable to make an impact. ... A: Cooked rice and vegetables should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking as these foods, once ...
Spaghetti & MeatBalls	9/3/2008
Q: Made Spaghetti and meatballs; meant to put the leftovers away after dinner but left in a covered ... A: The general recommendation is to not consume foods that can easily support the growth of harmful ...
Fresh Salsa	9/2/2008
Q: We make our own salsa and took it out on labor day. We forgot the ice but it was still cool when we ... A: The best advice for foods that should be kept cold but have sat out at room temperature or warmer ...
vacuum packing	9/2/2008
Q: i need to vacuum pack individual servings of cake frosting/icing will this need refrigeration? if ... A: It depends upon the ingredients in your frosting. If your frosting does not contain any milk, cream ...
how to pressure can salsa verde	9/2/2008
Q: I only have a pressure canner (the kind with the round rocker on top). I am not sure what pressure ... A: I suggest you check out www.homefoodpreservation.com for answers to all of your canning questions. ...
making fat free half & half	9/1/2008
Q: hi can a make my own fat free half & half coffee creamer using powdered milk if so recipe please ... A: I'm not aware of a recipe for making your own fat free half & half. The ingredients are basically ...
Ingesting Moldy Bread	9/1/2008
Q: I have reason to believe I may have eaten some moldy bread on August 31. I thought maybe I had the ... A: While it is unusual to develop symptoms after eating mold, it is possible. Eating mold can cause an ...
mushrooms	9/1/2008
Q: had white mushrooms about 5 days sitting in a bowl on counter, in air conditioned home. The insides ... A: White mushrooms will turn dark in the center as they age and will eventually produce a slimy ...
Cleaning of fresh eggs	9/1/2008
Q: Is it ok to just wash off the eggs with water? Can they be soaked in water? Do you advise using ... A: I suggest you read this research-based fact sheet on eggs for all the answers to your questions: ...
Refreezing Chicken	8/31/2008
Q: Can I refreeze chicken breast that has thawed out? A: Yes, you can refreeze chicken if you do so within 2-3 days of defrosting. This is the same general ...
Canning soup	8/31/2008
Q: Can you can any home made soup you make? Or are there kinds that will spoil even if caned? I just ... A: While it is possible to can chicken soup at home it is a little more complicated than just putting ...
Mould on cheese	8/31/2008
Q: I had a salad sandwich for lunch. and in the refrigerator there was a packet of shredded coon ... A: Eating a small amount of mold is not harmful and you should not worry. Mold is a sign that the ...
frozen fish	8/30/2008
Q: it it safe to eat freezer burned fish or meat A: Yes, it is safe to consume freezer burned foods -- just not very tasty. Freezer burn is an ...
cry-o-vac	8/29/2008
Q: Ok, I am confused. I have always heard "cry-vac". What it is correct? cry-o-vac or cry-vac, or ... A: Actually you see it spelled a variety of ways -- Cry-o-vac, Cryo-vac, Cryvac and Cryovac. In the ...
Unopened fridge to pantry storage?	8/28/2008
Q: I put too many bottles of Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice in the fridge overnight. Is it safe to take ... A: Foods that are found in both the dry and refrigerated sections of the grocery store are there as ...
Italian sausage	8/28/2008
Q: I took packed Italian sausage links out of the freezer on Saturday evening to thaw for a Sunday meal ... A: The general recommendation for chopped meats (ground beef, sausage, etc) in the refrigerator is 2 ...
Egg drop soup	8/28/2008
Q: I have been successfully canning for years. We have recently moved. We are now almost an hour and a ... A: As there is not a researched recipe for canning egg drop soup, or canning eggs other than pickled, I ...
Plastic kettle situation	8/27/2008
Q: The question I just asked you most recently is completely unique, and in no way did I ask you this ... A: It depends upon the pot as to the safety after boiling dry. If the pot is a Teflon-coated pot and ...
Food Safety - Basil Pesto	8/26/2008
Q: In a previous answer you indicated: "The recommended refrigerator storage for pesto is no more than ... A: I made an error in that recommendation as it should be "no more than 3 weeks." For longer storage it ...
uncut melons	8/26/2008
Q: How long can an uncut honey dew and cantaloupe sit out in my kitchen before it's no longer safe? ... A: Uncut melons do not need to be refrigerated until cut. They will continue to mature and will ...
Fried Chicken Left Out	8/25/2008
Q: I read your answer posted way back in 2006 regarding a chicken question. I have a chicken question ... A: Yes, the second baking would kill any LIVE bacteria that would be present but would not deactivate ...
Unrefrigerated pepper suace	8/25/2008
Q: Last night I put approximately one gallon of cooked habanero sauce in an ice bath at 7PM with plans ... A: Most canned sauces -- catsup, mustard, chili sauce, etc -- once opened have a refrigerator shelf ...
shelf-life of butter (unsalted)	8/25/2008
Q: How long can you leave unsalted butter out @ room temp. (90 degrees F.)before becoming rancid? Rick A: At room temperature (65-75 degrees F) butter will remain fresh for 3-4 days before starting to show ...
Freeze	8/24/2008
Q: I cooked pork lion and I want to freeze the left overs. What is the best way to do this? A: To successfully freeze cooked pork, wrap slices of cooked pork loin in foil or freezer bags, label ...
Unrefrigerated pepper suace	8/24/2008
Q: Last night I put approximately one gallon of cooked habanero sauce in an ice bath at 7PM with plans ... A: I assume when you say "put up in jars" that you mean that you want to place the product in jars and ...
Frozen Pork Sirloin Roast	8/23/2008
Q: I just pulled 2 roasts from the freezer - each weighing in around 1.5 lbs, and realized they were ... A: While the quality may not be as good as younger frozen pork, it will be safe to defrost and cook. ...
frozen chicken tamales	8/23/2008
Q: I bought frozen chicken tamales at the farmer's market this a.m. and forgot to put them up when I ... A: The recommendation for food that can easily support the growth of bacteria is that they may be at ...
Garbage Can Feed	8/22/2008
Q: I have been invited to a "Garbage Can Feed" which is an actual trash can where the food is layered ... A: I'm concerned about cooking in a garbage can! I assume the can is a galvanized metal container and ...
freezing food made with jars of sauce	8/22/2008
Q: I want to make and freeze some sweet and sour chicken and some chicken curry for my 18 month old ... A: When a processed sauce says that they do not recommend freezing it indicates that the quality of the ...
brown steak	8/21/2008
Q: I bought some steak a couple of weeks ago and immediately put it into the freezer. Yesterday, I ... A: It is not unusual for meat to turn from bright red to brown and the color change does not ...
Cooked Salmon	8/21/2008
Q: I pan cooked salmon last night and left the leftovers out , covered, overnight. About 10 hours. ... A: The recommendation is to not consume foods that have sat at room temperature for over 2 hours that ...
rum pot	8/20/2008
Q: I have fruit preserved in rum that has been in a crock in the fridge for at least a year, it is ... A: As long as the fruit is covered by the rum and shows no signs of mold or off-flavors, it should be ...
frozen fruit	8/20/2008
Q: I;'ve had the fruit harvest from my allotment in the freezer for nearly 2 years and still have some ... A: Yes, fruit that has been constantly frozen is safe to consume, but probably not as flavorful or have ...
Hamburger	8/19/2008
Q: Is hamburger ok to cook that has been constantly refrigerated for 3 or 4 days and the has lost its ... A: While a brown color can indicate that the hamburger has been in contact with air long enough to turn ...
Left (Ham) Bean soup out all night	8/19/2008
Q: I made ham 15 bean soup for the last 2 nights...Left the beans soaking for 24 hrs. then combined a ... A: The recommendation is to not consume foods that can easily support the growth of bacteria when given ...
Un-thaw chicken and Pork	8/18/2008
Q: I have a question. I'm having a wedding party and I have the whole chicken frozen at this time. Can ... A: Yes, you can refreeze previously frozen and reheated meat. Be aware, however, that the quality of ...
BBQ ribs	8/18/2008
Q: Last night I ordered a half slab of ribs/half chicken and couldnt finish the ribs. Unfortunately I ... A: Your microbiology background is correct. Staph is a problem with foods that have been handled and ...
chicken thawed in fridge	8/18/2008
Q: On Saturday i thawed some chicken breasts and only cooked half of them and kept the rest in a ... A: The general recommendation for fresh or thawed chicken is that they should be either frozen or ...
Un-thaw chicken and Pork	8/18/2008
Q: I have a question. I'm having a wedding party and I have the whole chicken frozen at this time. Can ... A: Yes, cooking chicken and pork ahead of time and then freezing is a safe method of preparing foods in ...
Home made stocks	8/18/2008
Q: Can you water bath home made beef, chicken or vegetable stock if there is no other ingredients in ... A: No...all stocks need to be processed in a pressure canner. The pH of beef, chicken and vegetable ...
Home canning vegetable soup	8/17/2008
Q: I added a few green beans to a soup recipe that was safe for a water bath and after reviewing ... A: Yes, the safest thing to do at this point is to freeze the soup. I'm curious of your recipe for a ...
Crock Pickles	8/17/2008
Q: I have put cucumbers in a crock for sweet pickles. After the first night in the crock there is what ... A: I have no idea what would be causing this rust film so am forwarding this question to Dr. Elizabeth ...
Partially cooked meat	8/17/2008
Q: I was grilling hamburgers and chicken when the gas grill ran out of gas. They were about half done. ... A: The general recommendation is that potentially hazardous foods (meats, poultry, etc) should not be ...
Frozen Food	8/17/2008
Q: How long is it safe to keep and eat already frozen dinners,etc that you buy at a store and or things ... A: Frozen food that is constantly frozen will remain safe to consume for a very long time. After a ...
reheating food	8/16/2008
Q: Is it a bad thing to never reheat food and always eat it cold... A: No, it is not required to heat food to make it safe to consume. Cold fried chicken, spaghetti, ...
Cleaning freshly laid eggs	8/16/2008
Q: I have read that freshly laid eggs should be cleaned with a food safe soap and water, but where ... A: According to this website, you can use unscented diswashing or laundry detergent to wash eggs. ...
Making homemade lollipops at home	8/15/2008
Q: I enjoy making homemade lollipops at home. My friends and family love them. I would like to go ... A: Whenever you sell anything made in your home to the public you must be licensed. This will include a ...
watermelon	8/15/2008
Q: should you eat watermelon that has been cut and left out on table overnight A: The recommendation is that once melons are cut they need to be refrigerated to remain safe to ...
Frozen seasoned marinated beef round.	8/14/2008
Q: I left out a cut of frozen, seasoned beef roast on the counter overnight. In the morning, it was ... A: The recommendation is to not defrost meat at room temperature overnight as the chances for bacteria ...
Jarring Pasta Sauce	8/14/2008
Q: I'm looking to jar and sell my grandmothers pasta sauce locally. Is there any information you could ... A: Starting a business of canned pasta sauce is not a simple process though with perseverance it can be ...
fully cooked Johnsonville polish sausage in sealed package left out over night in grocery bag	8/9/2008
Q: I left a fully cooked Johnsonville polish sausage in sealed package out over night in a grocery ... A: The recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods -- foods capable of easily ...
refriggeration of meat	8/9/2008
Q: how long should cooked beef,ham,chicken sit out before being put in refrigerator? A: The recommendation is that potentially hazardous foods -- meats, dairy, poultry,-- should not be at ...
Storing Chicken Soup	8/9/2008
Q: I made chicken soup 2 days ago and it has been in the refrigerator in the same pot in which I cooked ... A: The recommendation for leftovers in the refrigerator is to use them within 3-4 days or freeze. So ...
Frozen Meats	8/8/2008
Q: How long can beef and wild game be stored in a freezer and still be safe to eat? We have both that ... A: If the meat has been continually frozen, they will be safe to consume -- just probably not as fresh ...
Found a bone	8/8/2008
Q: I purchased and was trying to consume a beef burrito from a major name in the Mexican food industry, ... A: It's always disturbing finding "extra" items in our food and fortunately you found it before ...
Fresh fruit	8/8/2008
Q: Which frresh fruits should not be washed before refrigeration? A: The general recommendation is that all fruits do not need to be washed before storage as excess ...
Homemade Spachetti Sauce	8/8/2008
Q: When a large portion of spachetti sauce/w meatballs (turkeyburger) is made. Is it safe to store it ... A: The general recommendation for meat and poultry leftovers is to refrigerate and either consume or ...
spatula accidentally eaten	8/8/2008
Q: my husband ordered a fruit shake at the canteen in their office. to his surprise as he sips his ... A: What an unsettling experience for your husband. I hope they at least refunded his money for the ...
Refrigerated Jarred Fruit	8/7/2008
Q: I have four jars of chilled jarred fruit (Del Monte SunFresh) that are supposed t be refrigerated, ... A: This is a really good question which I don't know the definitive answer. I've searched on Del ...
chicken dinner in plastic container left in room tempature	8/7/2008
Q: is it safe to eat chicken after it has been cooked and stored in a plastic container in room temp?? ... A: The recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods (foods capable of supporting the ...
Frozen chicken- in car for nine hours	8/6/2008
Q: I left a frozen chicken in my car over night (in phoenix- in summer)I remembered as soon as i woke ... A: The recommendation is to not consume poultry that has been at room temperature or higher for more ...
salsa	8/6/2008
Q: I make a salsa from fresh produce. I roast my vegetables over a grill. I do not use vinegar, only ... A: A fresh salsa will probably last in the refrigerator at least 2-3 days before it starts to ...
Cooked Meat Storage	8/6/2008
Q: Recently while vacationing with other families two of the families stored cooked meat in the ... A: No, this is not a safe place to store potentially hazardous foods (meats, dairy, fish, eggs, etc) ...
previous frozen smoked salmon	8/5/2008
Q: I recently caught some salmon and had it smoked , frozen and shipped. It took a week to reach me.It ... A: Yes -- this does make a difference as technically hot smoked fish that is packaged in vacuum sealed ...
previous frozen smoked salmon	8/5/2008
Q: I recently caught some salmon and had it smoked , frozen and shipped. It took a week to reach me.It ... A: If the fish arrived frozen or cold enough to still have ice crystals, it is safe to refreeze. ...
water bath canning vs. "flip" method	8/5/2008
Q: inverting them for 5 minutes, and then flipping them back over. I read that the extension agency ... A: To my knowledge, no Extension Service recommends the "flip" method for safely canning any foods -- ...
Non-stick frying pans over high heat & hot water	8/5/2008
Q: I have 2 questions if that's ok. I heard somewhere that you shouldn't put a non-stick frying pan ... A: Heating non-stick pans at very high heat (500 degrees F and above) can break down the coating in ...
vacuum packed meat from store	8/4/2008
Q: Our local grocery stores now sell vacuum packed pork, beef, veal, etc. They say that if the date is ... A: Since vacuum packaged meat tends to have a different color than plastic-wrapped meat, going by color ...
unrefrigerated can of whipped cream	8/4/2008
Q: I left an unopened can of whipped cream out for about 6 hours. Is it still safe to consume since it ... A: The general recommendation is that dairy products like milk, cream, cottage cheese, etc. should not ...
Frozen Pizza	7/26/2008
Q: Is there usually an expiration date for frozen pizza ? I noticed that Degiorno's Pizza has no ... A: Some manufacturers of pizza provide a "sell by" or "used by" date to help both the grocery store ...
milk becomes "yogurt"--is it safe?	7/26/2008
Q: Sometimes the glass of milk on my nightstand will be solid in the morning (if I don't finish it ... A: What you are witnessing with your milk is the first stages of "clabbering." Bacteria in the room ...
meatloaf	7/26/2008
Q: I took a meatloaf out of oven @ 8:30pm, & forgot to put away before faling asleep~left out until ... A: Its not a silly question... Unfortunately, the recommendation for meat left out all night at room ...
refrigerated tomatoe paste + mold	7/25/2008
Q: I was hastily making split pea soup recipe which asked for a tomatoe. I didn't have a fresh tomatoe ... A: While it is not recommended to consume moldy products, the chances for illness are extremely low. ...
Baking and selling from home	7/25/2008
Q: My name is Maria I am gathering information about baking and selling from my home, I have read your ... A: Yes -- you need to find out if it is legal to run a business out of your home. That should be one ...
hamburger meat	7/25/2008
Q: I had thawed out hamburger meat in the refrigerator. I could not fix it right away so I put it back ... A: Yes, freezing previously frozen hamburger that has been defrosting 2 days in the refrigerator can be ...
frozen prawns	7/25/2008
Q: i recently bought some prawns and when i got home i put them in the freezer without knowing that ... A: Yes, it is safe to freeze previously frozen prawns. Be aware that the quality will probably not be ...
Lasana	7/23/2008
Q: I unthawed some lasanga that had been in the freezer about 4 years. It had been put in a foil ... A: What you have described is a classic example of what can happen when salt, highly acidic foods or ...
Baking and selling from home	7/23/2008
Q: My name is Maria I am gathering information about baking and selling from my home, I have read your ... A: I'm going to run your questions by my local health department and see what their inspectors would ...
Commercial Hummus Production	7/23/2008
Q: I am in the process of setting up a commercial hummus production business from home . At the moment ... A: To be able to put a date on your product you will need to have the product undergo testing to ...
Raw Steak	7/23/2008
Q: I was marinating ribeye steaks and forgot to put them back in the fridge and they were in a sealed ... A: While it is possible that the steaks are okay, it is also possible that their 8 hour room ...
corn on the cob	7/22/2008
Q: We made corn on the cob 10 days ago. I cut if off the corn and stored it in a Tupperware in the ... A: The general recommendation for refrigerated cooked vegetables is to use within 4-5 days or freeze ...
Marinara sauce	7/21/2008
Q: Can sauce be refrozen. Has no ice crystals. We think the door was ajar for a day. A: I assume you've read some of my other posts with the reference to ice crystals. The general ...
Unplugged Freezer	7/21/2008
Q: We accidently unplugged our freezer. We have a 1/2 cow in there including about 50 pounds of ... A: The general recommendation is if there is still ice crystals in the meat (ie -- the meat had not ...
selling baked goods online and to stores	7/21/2008
Q: My family and I have come up with what we believe is THE best baked good product ever, so good that ... A: Just because you want to sell a product online does not change the need to follow the laws and ...
canned tuna	7/21/2008
Q: I workout 4 times a week and for my protein source, i consume a can of tuna right after all my ... A: Yes, canned tuna -- especially Albacore tuna -- is high in mercury. High doses of mercury from ...
FOOD SAFETY-SMOKED RIBS	7/20/2008
Q: I SMOKED PORK RIBS FOR OVER 8 HRS AT 300 DEGREES. TO MAKE THEM MORE TENDER, IN FINISHED THEM IN THE ... A: Unfortunately, home smoking does not affect the preservation of the meat and thus the recommendation ...
salsa	7/19/2008
Q: We are looking at jarring salsa that we make at home and thinking about marketing it locally. What ... A: Brian, When you sell salsa in a jar that is stored at room temperature you are technically a food ...
cooked hamburger left out overnight	7/19/2008
Q: I cooked about 12 or so hamburgers, and we ate most of them, but I forgot to put the rest (3) away. ... A: The recommendation is to not reheat and consume the hamburgers. While they may look safe -- and be ...
frozen chicken left in hot car	7/18/2008
Q: I got groceries yesterday at 6:30 p.m. and just found a bag of frozen chicken now at 3:30 p.m. , it ... A: I hate to be the bearer of bad news but chicken that has been in a hot car for 21 hours is a ...
pepper black spots	7/18/2008
Q: I just picked some green bell peppers from my garden and some have black spots on their bottoms. Is ... A: When peppers have black spots on the bottom, it is usually an indication of blossom-end rot. It is ...
SAFETY OF FOOD	7/18/2008
Q: I LEFT HOMEMADE MARINARA SAUCE (WITH GRATED CHEESES) OUT TO COOL, ALL NIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING I ... A: The recommendation is that cooked carbohydrate foods (vegetables, pasta, rice, etc) and dairy ...
Pasta sauce with veggies	7/17/2008
Q: Last night i left out a freshly cooked pasta sauce in a plastic container with the lid ajar. It ... A: Yes, the recommendation is to pitch the sauce. Cooked carbohydrates including vegetables, are ...
left out food	7/17/2008
Q: I had food in the trunk of my car part of the day and all night and part of the morning. Was ... A: The foods you mention can all be at room temperature except for the cheese spread (unless it is a ...
Refreezing chicken	7/17/2008
Q: Is it safe to cook chicken, cut in into strips, freeze, later defrost to cook with and then refreeze ... A: Yes, it is safe to do what you described. Be sure to keep all utensils and hands clean, cook the ...
Re-freezing Ham	7/16/2008
Q: Carol .. My daughter stuck a 10# pre-cooked ham in the freezer. As I am retired and live alone .. ... A: Yes, you can refreeze the ham. Pre-cooked ham that has been previously frozen and defrosted in the ...
expiration on food item	7/16/2008
Q: I used some eggs to make some brownies unaware that they had expired in March. Should I expect to ... A: The date on eggs is provided as a guideline for quality and maximum freshness. The general ...
raw hamburger	7/15/2008
Q: I left raw hamburger still in the package on the cupboard for 2.5 hrs before I realized it was still ... A: You are just past the recommended time frame for potentially hazardous foods (foods capable of ...
Soup left out all night	7/15/2008
Q: I forgot about some soup I made and left it out all night. It has a tomato base with lentils and ... A: Since your husband thinks it is safe, I'd have him eat it first and then wait 6 - 72 hours and see ...
lemon chicken marinade	7/15/2008
Q: I suppose this is redundant and even silly. Your ans about marinade chicken up to 2,3 days is that ... A: The recommendation for all poultry is once defrosted or brought home fresh from the grocery store is ...
"re-cooking" chicken for safety	7/15/2008
Q: I left some grilled chicken breasts unrefrigerated for 4 hours, so am worried about eating them. ... A: Reheating foods to 165 that have been unrefrigerated for 4 hours does not guarantee their safety. ...
canned tomatoes	7/14/2008
Q: how can I tell if a homecanned tomatoes are good or bad? A: Do the tomatoes look like they did when they were first canned? Are they tightly sealed, have good ...
food	7/14/2008
Q: i ordered chinese last night but didnt eat it untill this evening. i warmed it up hot! and ate about ... A: I assume you want me to tell you if you are going to become ill or not. Unfortunately, I can not ...
Stuffed Green Peppers left in hot car for 6 hours	7/14/2008
Q: Saw you previous answer about fresh meat being left in a hot car, thanks. Have more on that ... A: You should definitely not cook the peppers and consume them. Here's why... Raw hamburger is ...
Baked potatoes left in oven	7/12/2008
Q: I forgot about some baked potatoes and left them in the oven overnight? ( actually for a day 1/2). ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume cooked carbohydrates (vegetables, pasta, rice, ...
Left-Out Pancakes	7/12/2008
Q: Last night I forgot to put away the left over pancakes from dinner. I know meats are dangerous left ... A: Cooked carbohydrates (vegetables, flour-based items like pasta, pancakes, etc) should not be ...
Proper Marination	7/12/2008
Q: I'd like to marinate cucumbers, onions, plus jalapeno, green, banana, & red peppers in some vinegar ... A: If you want to ONLY keep the marinated mixture in the refrigerator, you can place it in any type of ...
baked beans	7/11/2008
Q: I prepared baked beans this morning (using salt pork), put them in the oven, and left the house. ... A: The recommendation is that foods that can support the growth of bacteria -- meat, cooked ...
Frozen cry vac meats	7/11/2008
Q: I am trying to find out the period of time it is safe to store FROZEN cry vac meats i.e. beef, lamb, ... A: Meat, wether frozen in cryovac or other packaging remains safe to consume for many years. Frozen ...
thawing chicken	7/10/2008
Q: I put a package of frozen chicken breasts in the refrigerator Tuesday July 8th at 8 am--wondering if ... A: Yes -- the chicken probably didn't fully defrost until sometime yesterday. Once defrosted the ...
chicken soup	7/10/2008
Q: i made a chicken soup last night boiling it for 2 hours. Forgot to put it in the refigrator ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume foods containing meat, eggs, poultry or fish ...
left out hamburger meat	7/9/2008
Q: I accidentally left a pan of hamburger meat/potatoes/water and spices that were left over after we ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to pitch cooked meat that has sat at room temperature for over ...
Jelly safety	7/9/2008
Q: I make a family favorite plum jelly. I know how to preserve it properly....now my son is getting ... A: I would use 4 oz. decorative crystal jelly jars with 2 piece lids, process them for 5 minutes in a ...
foil and bbq sauce	7/8/2008
Q: I covered the BBQ chicken overnight with aluminum foil and found holes in the foil where the sauce ... A: It's safe -- just not very attractive to serve chicken with black spots! You have witnessed the ...
out of date	7/8/2008
Q: I have sour cream and ricotta cheese,both ave expired dates of DEC 07 its July 08.i opened them both ... A: That is amazing that you still have both sour cream and ricotta cheese 7 months past their "best if ...
BBQ chicken to be served buffet style	7/7/2008
Q: I want to make a special BBQ chicken breast item for my son's graduation party, but I am concerned ... A: Congratulations on your son's graduation! It is safe to serve the chicken either hot (140 degrees ...
sterilizing meat	7/6/2008
Q: If I cook a steak then vacuum seal it while it's hot, would it be safe to eat after a couple of day ... A: No - this is not a safe, or a recommended way to handle cooked meat. While vacuum sealing does ...
fridge door left ajar	7/6/2008
Q: my fridge was left ajar overnight.I have cooked hams and yoghurts in it.what is safe to eat? The ... A: The general rule of thumb is if potentially hazardous foods (meats, dairy, eggs, etc) are stored ...
Blueberry cobbler left out	7/5/2008
Q: I made a blueberry cobbler last night and after we ate most of it; I put my children to bed and I ... A: Fruit cobblers and pies do not have to be refrigerated for safety but are usually done so to extend ...
Home made veg soup	7/4/2008
Q: After cooking homemade vegetable soup (used frozen raw onions, frozen vegies, dried mushrooms, raw ... A: Sounds like you've read some of my other responses to people who have left food out overnight. It ...
Flash freezing french toast	7/4/2008
Q: How amazing that you offer free advice to people. I really appreciate this. My question, I have ... A: Your product sounds like a very tasty product indeed. I think you need to do some research with a ...
Crock Pot --Turkey breast -Power out	7/3/2008
Q: I put a turkey breast in a Hot crockpot to cook overnight. Apparently an hour later the power went ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not cook and eat the turkey breast. Here's why... Poultry, ...
freezing, meal delivery and defrosting options	7/2/2008
Q: :) i am startign a home business, i will deliver frreshly made organic, diet friendly meals around ... A: First, I hope you have consulted with your local health department for the rules, regulations and ...
storing food in a fridge	7/2/2008
Q: i was wondering if you could tell me which shelf is for which food in a fridge? eg meat on the ... A: Top shelf -- fruits (except apples). Next shelf store store butter/margarine and cheese tightly ...
watermelon uncut shelf life	7/2/2008
Q: I have four seedless watermelons I got about a week ago, right off the truck. one is refridgerated ... A: Storing uncut watermelon at room temperature is the recommended way to store prior to cutting. ...
Chicken	7/1/2008
Q: I prepare a chicken for the crock pot from the fridge. I notice that and hour and 15 minutes had ... A: Yes, the chicken should be okay. The general rule of thumb is that refrigerated or hot foods can be ...
cooked garden tomatoes left out	7/1/2008
Q: I accidentally left a pot of cooked garden tomatoes on the stove all night. I simmered the tomatoes ... A: I really depends upon what the other ingredients were in with the tomatoes. Tomatoes are an acidic ...
potatoes	7/1/2008
Q: I was peeling potatoes(fresh uncooked stored in a bin with an open front in my kitchen)over my sink ... A: This is a new one on me...never heard of smoking potatoes! I've sent your question to Dr. Nora ...
uncooked salmon left in refrigerator unkcooked for two days	7/1/2008
Q: I left a uncooked salmon in my boyfriends refrigerator sealed that I bought from Giant Eagle. The ... A: The general recommendation for fresh, never frozen salmon storage after purchase is that it should ...
Roast Chicken	6/29/2008
Q: Should a roast chicken be allowed to cool before refrigeration or can it be refrigerated ... A: Actually both options are considered safe. Cooling the chicken slightly (20-30 minutes) makes it ...
Leftover Frozen Dinner	6/27/2008
Q: I accidentally purchased the family size Stouffer's macaroni and cheese, and have some left over ... A: Yes, it is safe to refrigerate the leftover macaroni for future consumption. The key for safe ...
Pork Loin slow cooked	6/26/2008
Q: I'm making pulled pork in the crock pot. the pork loin wasn't defrosted (it never climbed out of the ... A: The general recommendation for slow cookers is that meat should be fully defrosted and cut into ...
bacterial growth on cream cheese	6/26/2008
Q: what kinds of bacteria grow on cream cheese when the package has been opened and stored in the ... A: A variety of bacteria are capable of growing on cream cheese including Listeria Monocytogenes, ...
refrigerated applesauce	6/25/2008
Q: How long after opening a commercial jar of prepared, unsweetened applesauce, will it last and be ... A: Applesauce does not readily support the growth of bacteria as its pH is in the acidic range. Because ...
pork chop safe for consumption	6/25/2008
Q: Carol - I wrapped 4 pork chops in freezer paper, and then placed them into a freezer plastic bag, ... A: The general recommendation for thawing pork chops is that once thawed (usually 24 hours after ...
Spoiled Turkey?	6/24/2008
Q: At work we have a refrigerator that we believe had the door open all night. The person who found the ... A: Wow -- aren't office refrigerators great? With the internal temperature of the refrigerator being ...
Refrigerated yogurt	6/24/2008
Q: Carol: We receive shipments of active-culture, packaged yogurt for Army dining facilities. The ... A: First -- thank you for your service in both protecting my freedom and for protecting the food safety ...
hot foods going right in the the fridg	6/24/2008
Q: can i put food right out of the oven into the refridgeratore OR does it need to be cooled 1st??? A: It is okay to put small amounts of hot food in the refrigerator, if necessary but the general ...
freezing raw tuna	6/23/2008
Q: I sometimes see "sashimi tuna" at fishmongers. Is it OK to buy it and freeze at home before eating ... A: It is possible to freeze sashimi grade tuna but I don't think you'll like the texture of the fish ...
Cheesecake safety	6/23/2008
Q: I baked a cheesecake last night and it was taken out of the oven at 9:20 pm. The cake was left out ... A: The recommendation for cheesecake that contains eggs and other dairy products is that it should be ...
vacuum sealed ribs	6/21/2008
Q: I purchased a package of vacuum sealed ribs that has a used by date of june 24. I noticed today ... A: I have submitted this question to Dr. Tom Carr, Professor of Meat Science at the University of ...
Frozen meals left in refrigerator	6/20/2008
Q: I sometimes bring a frozen meal (Lean cuisine) to work and put it in the refrigerator (in there for ... A: Defrosted frozen foods have a refrigerator shelf life of 3-4 days once defrosted. Since you say it ...
marinated chicken	6/20/2008
Q: How long can I keep chicken in the fridge when it is in an oil and vinegar dressing marinade? A: Fresh or thawed chicken has a refrigerator shelf-life of 2-3 days -- whether in marinade or not. ...
Food Safety	6/20/2008
Q: I came accross an article about tips for saving time in Reader's Digest (Australia). One tip for ... A: Cooking a large quantity of food and freezing it for future use is a wise way of not only saving ...
Use by date	6/20/2008
Q: I have a lg. vacuum-packed slice of ham with bone that has a use by date of June 15, 2008. It's ... A: The manufacturer of the vacuum sealed ham slice has determined that for safety and quality, the ham ...
thawed meat too long outside	6/19/2008
Q: I put a marinated chicken breast and sirloin steak outside to sit in the sun and wrapped in plastic ... A: NO -- the meat and chicken are not safe to consume and should be pitched. Meats should not be ...
Hamberger Meat	6/19/2008
Q: I took the meat out yesterday morning and did not come at all to put it up it is still in my sink ... A: No...you should not use the hamburger this evening. It should be pitched... and here's why. ...
Canning ready to eat farmers sausage	6/18/2008
Q: How long do you need to can ready to eat farmers sausage and at what temperature to preserve it A: Pre-cooked farmer's sausage may be canned in either pints or quarts using a pressure canner (can not ...
Frozen tuna steaks	6/17/2008
Q: I defrosted tuna steaks last Wednesday and went out of town w/o cooking them. Should I just toss ... A: Unfortunately, fresh fish has a very short refrigerator shelf life once defrosted. The ...
cooked ham	6/16/2008
Q: We took the plastic off a ham and cooked for 2 hours. When we went to check the temperature we ... A: This is a good question. What was the condition of the plastic wrap when you discovered your error? ...
salsa safe consumption	6/16/2008
Q: Good day to you, How long can you store an opened container of picante salsa and safely enjoy. I ... A: Opened jars of tomato products have a tendency to mold upon extended refrigerator storage. The ...
Starting salad dressing business	6/16/2008
Q: I have a "family recipe" for salad dressing that we have made all my life. Of course, over each ... A: You are lucky to live in Pennsylvania as Pennsylvania State University has a Food Entrepreneur ...
Uncooked pasta / spaghetti sauce - safe for consumption?	6/9/2008
Q: Is uncooked spaghetti sauce (sold in vacuum-sealed jars in supermarkets)safe for consumption on its ... A: Yes, commercially canned foods are safe to consume right out of the jar/can. While heating them ...
mango	6/8/2008
Q: 1. I have a mango tree in my yard and it produces about 800 mangos every year. I would like to ... A: I really don't know if it is possible to can mango's as you've described. I suggest that you ask ...
Ricotta cheese	6/8/2008
Q: how long after an expiration date can you use a container of Ricotta cheese, it has not been opened ... A: The date that you see on the Ricotta is a "best if used by" date or a "sell by" date -- not an ...
cookware	6/8/2008
Q: Yesterday I was buying some anodized aluminum pots when I saw one of my friends. She talked alot ... A: Purchasing cookware can be a very, very confusing experience as each maker touts his cookware as the ...
patatoes	6/8/2008
Q: I left baked potatoes out all night on the stove are they safe to eat A: While the potatoes may be perfectly safe. they are capable of supporting the growth of harmful ...
ham	6/4/2008
Q: I purchased sealed cooked ham strips and accidentally left them in my trunk over night. Temp ... A: I know you hate to waste food but the recommendation is to not cook and/or consume meat products ...
non stick	6/4/2008
Q: how safe are non stick pans?does it get into the food when to hot? what pans are best for cooking? A: Who, Non-stick pans if used and cared for according to manufacturers recommendations are safe to ...
Homemade meatless Spaghetti Sauce	6/4/2008
Q: How long can homemade meatless spaghetti sauce be stored in refrigerator before using? A: The general recommendation is 3-4 days for meat spaghetti sauce and up to 1 week for meatless. ...
Salmon	6/3/2008
Q: I left Frozen Salmon with special seasoning on the counter for 6 hours will it be okay to eat A: The recommendation is to not defrost potentially hazardous foods (meat, fish, poultry, etc) at room ...
Flies on Food	6/3/2008
Q: I get disgusted when I see certain neighbors having a barbeque with all kinds of food out on a card ... A: Yes, flies can be quite dirty and besides contaminating food with eggs and maggots, they can also ...
Stainless Steel Cookware	5/30/2008
Q: I made some applesauce in a stainless steel saucepan and didn't pour it over into a bowl until 5 or ... A: No...stainless steel does not react with food making it a wonderful material in food preparation. ...
Stainless Steel Cookware	5/29/2008
Q: I made some applesauce in a stainless steel saucepan and didn't pour it over into a bowl until 5 or ... A: The recommendation is that cooked applesauce should be refrigerated after preparation. The good news ...
slow cooking chicken breasts safely	5/29/2008
Q: I used a crockpot for the first time last night. I researched a lot on how to cook chicken breasts ... A: I understand your concerns for food safety in regards to using a crock pot but rest assured, if you ...
chicken stock	5/28/2008
Q: You answered a question regarding refreezing homemade chicken stock. You advised that you can ... A: Yes, you can freeze the leftovers of the main dish made with previously frozen and then thawed in ...
Open Refrigerator	5/28/2008
Q: My husband left our refrigerator open a bit all night. Does that mean all the food in our fridge is ... A: Husbands!!! What was the temperature inside the refrigerator (air temperature) and what was the ...
mango	5/27/2008
Q: 1. I have a mango tree in my yard and it produces about 800 mangos every year. I would like to ... A: How lucky you are to have a prolific producing mango tree in your yard. You are also lucky that ...
pizza	5/26/2008
Q: I forgot to put my leftover pizza (Half pepperoni & half sausage)cooked by a restaurant in the ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume pizza that has been at room temperature over 2 ...
Vacuum packed freash natural Bratwurst	5/26/2008
Q: We bought some locally produced bratwurst that was frozen, put it in the fridge and it thawed ... A: The general rule of thumb is to use fully defrosted raw meat within 3-4 days of defrosting. The ...
aluminum grills posion	5/26/2008
Q: I just bought an expensive bbq grill with cast stainless grilling grids and a stainless steel bow ... A: No, you do not need to worry about harmful gas emitting from the aluminum frame of your grill. I am ...
Left cooked hamburger out	5/23/2008
Q: I made BQ's last night and took out of crockpot at 9 p.m. at 5:30 realized I left out in a sealed ... A: I'm sorry, but the recommendation for cooked meat is that if it sits at room temperature over 2 ...
Using polythene bags in Microwave Oven	5/22/2008
Q: I have an IFB 30 SC microwave oven. For cooking potatoes, it has been mentioned to put them in a ... A: I looked at the owners manual for the IFP 30 SC microwave oven: ...
fridge temp	5/19/2008
Q: I noticed my fridge was at a higher temp but neglected to mention it to my husband for several days ... A: The recommendation is if potentially hazardous foods (meat, dairy, fish, poultry, meat-based ...
Low Fat Butter	5/19/2008
Q: I would like to know if there's anything such as low fat butter,and would it be safe to use? Thanks ... A: Yes, there are light or reduced-calorie butter available in the grocery store. They have about half ...
pop-top on baby juice jar	5/18/2008
Q: I gave my six month old pear juice from a baby juice jar (commerically produced pasteurized juice) ... A: I think your husband is correct this time (mark this in the baby book because it will be one of the ...
spaghetti squash	5/18/2008
Q: I cooked half a spaghetti squash and I am wondering how long the uncooked half is good for in the ... A: Uncooked cut winter squash (spaghetti, butternut, acorn, etc) will keep up to a week in the ...
frozen/thawed items	5/14/2008
Q: Is it safe to freeze, thawed in refrigerator, than refreeze uncooked meats? How about frozen then ... A: Yes, it is safe to do if you follow the proper holding temperatures and recommended length of time ...
baby back ribs	5/13/2008
Q: I purchased baby back ribs, frozen, 10 days ago. They have been in a walk-in cooler at 35 degrees ... A: The recommendation is that fully defrosted meat should be cooked or refrozen with 3-4 days of ...
JImmy Dean fully cooked Poek Sausage	5/12/2008
Q: Do you know id the Jimmy Dean Fully cooked Cooked Pork sausage patties should be stored in the ... A: How were these patties purchased -- fresh or frozen? If purchased fresh they should have a "best if ...
unrefrigerated fresh ground turkey	5/11/2008
Q: I just discovered that I left fresh ground turkey out all night and morning. Can i still cook it in ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not cook and consume meats that have been at room ...
Color of raw steaks	5/11/2008
Q: My husband purchased several ribeye steaks yesterday with an expiration date for today. Once opened ... A: Coloring does give an indication of the time the meat has been cut and on display. As you indicated ...
Expired quinoa	5/10/2008
Q: i have two expired packs of quinoa (500g each), both packed in airtight plastic, unopened and stored ... A: The date that you see on the Quinoa is not an expiration date but a "Best if Used By" date. The ...
pork roast	5/10/2008
Q: I left a pork roast in my truck overnight(9hrs.).The temp. was about 45 degrees,is it still good to ... A: It is not recommended to leave potentially hazardous foods (meat, dairy, fish, poultry) at room ...
PLAIN FAT FREE YOGURT LEFT ON THE COUNTER	5/9/2008
Q: If plain non fat yogurt is left out on the counter overnight is it ok to eat? A: The recommendation is not consume dairy foods that have been at room temperature over 2 hours. ...
hamburg colour	5/8/2008
Q: I just bought a package of hamburg today and when I opened it to make a meatloaf the outside of the ... A: It is not unusual for fresh ground beef or hamburger to have a darker or brown center as beef will ...
Veg soupd	5/8/2008
Q: I made garlic yam soup yesterday at 7pm and noticed this morning that I forgot to put it in the ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume cooked carbohydrate foods (yam is a ...
freezing pasta	5/8/2008
Q: is it safe to freeze packet bought fresh pasta such as spinach and ricotta ravioli or meat ravioli? ... A: I see no reason why you can't freeze fresh vacuum packaged pasta. Since you are wanting to prepare ...
In home cookie business	5/7/2008
Q: Good afternoon Carol, I am starting a cookie business and realized very quickly that I had to have ... A: As a fellow Illinois resident I have many of the same sentiments about trying to find ...
Defrosting An Average Sized Steak Portion	5/7/2008
Q: I made a mistake and forgot to get anything out of the freezer last night. I got out a normal sized ... A: From your thorough explanation I believe the steak should be safe for cooking and consuming this ...
chicken	5/7/2008
Q: i need to no if my chicken is still good ? i put it in the refrigerator yesterday in lemon pepper ... A: The chicken is still safe if the maximum time it was in the refrigerator,defrosted was 2-3 days ...
Chicken Overnight	5/6/2008
Q: I thawed some frozen vacuum sealed chicken in water Monday morning, but forgot about it and it is ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is if chicken is at room temperature for more than 2 hours it ...
storing home made soup	5/6/2008
Q: i would like to know, after making home made soup if i dont use it every day would it be advisable ... A: Once you make the soup and refrigerate it, you should reheat and consume the soup or keep ...
Food Spoilage	5/6/2008
Q: I have a freezer in my garage. The power failed and I did not know it. I have no idea how long it ... A: The general rule of thumb is if ice crystals still remain in perishable foods (meat, chicken, pork, ...
frosting	5/5/2008
Q: Do I have to refridgerate a cake with cream cheese/powdered sugar frosting. To refrigerate dries the ... A: As cream cheese is a dairy product that needs to be kept refrigerated to remain safe, yes a cake ...
Chicken cooked in microwave, left overnight	5/4/2008
Q: I cooked chicken breasts in the microwave (with a lid on the container) overnight and forgot them ... A: While the chances are minimal that any new bacterial growth occurred, there is a chance and thus the ...
homemade Spaghetti sauce	5/4/2008
Q: I made homemade tomato sauce with sausage and store-made meatballs seven days ago and immediately ... A: The recommendation is that cooked meat-containing leftovers should be either consumed or frozen ...
freezing food and cutting boards	5/4/2008
Q: How long may you freeze a steak for and then still cook and eat it? What's the best way to ... A: The general quality guidelines for freezer storage of whole muscle beef (steaks and roasts) is 1 ...
apricot puree	5/3/2008
Q: Carol, I canned 12 quarts of apricot puree about three years ago that I have kept in a cool ... A: Yes, this puree should be okay to use for making apricot jam. Separation is normal in long held ...
frozen ham	5/3/2008
Q: I froze a Stevenson fully cooked and tightly wrapped Christmas ham in January, 2008--Is it safe to ... A: Yes it is safe to cook and serve the ham. Freezer guidelines for storage of ham is based on quality ...
temperature	5/3/2008
Q: I have a refridgerator that usually keeps food around 40-45 degrees farenheit. I see that some ... A: The recommendation to have your refrigerator set at a temperature that can maintain food at 41 ...
How long can salsa sit out?	4/28/2008
Q: I like to make a variety of salsas and some of them taste better at room temp...When I have parties ... A: The general recommendation for salsa, whether made with fresh or canned tomatoes, tomatillos or ...
potatoes unfridgerated	4/28/2008
Q: i boiled potatoes for salad and then left them on the counter over night are they still safe to eat? A: The recommendation is that once potatoes are cooked they need to be refrigerated for storage. ...
prague powder and phosphate inquiry	4/28/2008
Q: Good Day! This is Mr. Mark Ancog of Cebu City. While browsing the net for ham ingredients, i came ... A: Prague powder is an ingredient that is often used in the making of sausage. There are 2 different ...
Dethawing Turkey	4/27/2008
Q: I took my turkey out last night to make sure it was fully de-thawed to cook the next day. In all ... A: The recommendation is to not cook and consume poultry that has been defrosted at room temperature. ...
Chili put in Crock Pot Holder and then refrigerated	4/26/2008
Q: I made chili in my crock pot last night. After it was done cooling, my husband placed the crock pot ... A: Unfortunately, you have experienced a very valuable learning experience that results in a product ...
refrigeration	4/25/2008
Q: How long can I keep a cooked pork loin in the refrigerator? A: The general recommendation for all cooked whole-muscle pork is to refrigerate and eat within 3 to 4 ...
Reusing frozen broth	4/24/2008
Q: I have frozen pork broth that I have defrosted and used to cook several more pork shoulders. The ... A: Technically, food can be frozen, defrosted, heated, cooled, frozen, defrosted... over and over again ...
freezing	4/24/2008
Q: Can natural or any type of yogurt be frozen? I wanted to blend fruit and yogurt to make ice lollies ... A: The results of freezing yogurt will vary from brand to brand, from homemade batch to homemade batch ...
HAMBURGERMEAT	4/23/2008
Q: We purchased an 8lb pack of hamburger meat on Saturday and it ha been in the refrigerator for 5 ... A: The general recommendation for hamburger and ground beef is that it should be cooked or frozen ...
using cork bottles	4/22/2008
Q: I'd like to make some syrups but can only find cork bottles. Are they safe to use when canning ... A: No, cork bottles are not appropriate for canning syrups. You need to can syrups just as you would ...
refreezing meat after its been cooked	4/22/2008
Q: If meat has been bought fresh, frozen and then defrosted, once cooked can it be frozen again? A: Yes, you can freeze meat that originally was bought fresh, frozen and then defrosted and cooked. If ...
chicken kabobs	4/22/2008
Q: I would like to make chicken kabobs with mushrooms/peppers and onions, freeze them to use in a week ... A: Yes, you can make the kabobs up and freeze them for future use but I would not freeze the veggies ...
REFREEZING CHICKEN SOUP	4/20/2008
Q: I MADE CHICKEN SOUP WITH FRESH CHICKEN AND VEGGIES AND FROZE IT UNTIL READY TO USE. I DEFROSTED IT ... A: Yes, you can refreeze the chicken soup. If you refrigerated the soup promptly and package the soup ...
wooden bowltrademark	4/19/2008
Q: I purchased a set of 3 wooden bowls in three different sizes with Indian carvings on the largest and ... A: This is really out of my area of expertise but I would start with the company "Replacements." While ...
Chicken expired yesterday	4/18/2008
Q: I bought some chicken breasts earlier this week, and just noticed they expired yesterday. Are they ... A: The date on chicken is a "Sell by" date -- not an expiration or "do not use" date. The date is ...
Home based baking business	4/17/2008
Q: I have read your information to other questions and found them quite helpful. I have been baking ... A: You are lucky as Cornell has a food entrepreneurial center designed to help small food processors in ...
Baking from home	4/17/2008
Q: I to am interested in baking from my home and selling baked goods. Is it legal in Arizona to do ... A: As I am not from Arizona, I had to do a little research on your state's Dept. of Health website ...
Do jars always have to "pop?"	4/16/2008
Q: I opened a jar of supermarket brand olives today, and I noticed it didn't make the popping noise I'm ... A: Yes, commercially processed jars with lids should make a "woosh" or other popping sound when you ...
Wooden Bowls	4/16/2008
Q: I am making stuffed shells tonight for dinner. I prepared the ricotta cheese last night and I ... A: The issue really isn't bacteria but the possibility of any finish being absorbed into the food. ...
powdered milk and cholesterol	4/14/2008
Q: Michael Pollan in his new book, In Defense of Food, says that powdered milk has high levels of ... A: Yes, powdered milk and eggs do contain oxidized cholesterol. It is theorized that oxidized ...
frozen meat left out overnight	4/12/2008
Q: I left a 2.5# pork tenderloin on the counter overnight after falling asleep. It was out ... A: Who knows if your pork tenderloin is safe? Unfortunately you've given it the perfect temperature ...
Insect contamination in food	4/11/2008
Q: In a local newspaper here in Vancouver B.C. dated April 9,2008 an article on Bug Cuisine mentioned ... A: I hate to break it to you but it is very common and allowable for a certain level of insect larvae, ...
Vacuum Sealed Thawed Fish	4/11/2008
Q: My husband thawed out some store purchased tilapia fish about 2 weeks ago. It is vacuum sealed and ... A: According to the University of Alaska Extension Service, home vacuum sealed fish can be refrigerated ...
Pork left in water all night	4/9/2008
Q: I defrosted some lean pork chops in warm water last night and forgot to refrigerate it before going ... A: Unfortunately, you have provided a perfect medium for any bacteria to grow -- a warm environment, ...
pecan pie shipping	4/8/2008
Q: I have made some pecan squares which are basically pecan pie made in a jelly roll pan, and wanted to ... A: Homemade pecan pie needs to be refrigerated for safety as it contains eggs. Commercially prepared ...
did I have a reaction to unrefrigerated yogurt?	4/5/2008
Q: I was very silly. I had taken plain yogurt to work for breakfast yesterday but didn't eat it. It was ... A: It's possible it was the yogurt -- or any other food you ate during the day. Sounds like you picked ...
Left Shredded Cheese Blend out overnight	4/3/2008
Q: I left an unopened, sealed bag of shredded cheese blend out (cheddar, monterey and jack) for a full ... A: This must be week for cheese questions as this is the 2nd question in 2 days concerning cheese left ...
Left frozen, packaged fish in car overnight.	4/3/2008
Q: We came home last night and the groceries never made it in the house. We had purchased some salmon ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume the salmon or fish sticks. Both are considered ...
Cheddar Cheese Refrigeration	4/2/2008
Q: I was out of state for a week and packed refrigerated items in a cooler for the trip home. Two ... A: If your cheese is a hard cheese, then it should be safe to consume. Although it is recommended to ...
potato safety	4/2/2008
Q: I recall having read somewhere that once a potato has started sprouting roots it should be thrown ... A: Sprouting potatoes may still be consumed if the sprouts are cut out. It is usually recommended to ...
starting a small frozen food business	4/2/2008
Q: I am a personal chef and would like to start making some organic vegan frozen meals to sell to some ... A: Preparing the frozen meals in a commercial, inspected kitchen is the recommended way to manufacture ...
Canning Chicken Stock	4/1/2008
Q: I don't have a pressure canner, but my Grandmother ( who has been canning as long as I can remember) ... A: It is not recommended to process chicken stock in a hot water bath canner as the pH of the stock can ...
storing sauces	3/31/2008
Q: I'd like to be able to make large quantities of about a dozen different chicken wings sauces and ... A: I don't see any reason why you could not freeze, can or vacuum seal the sauces. I assume the ...
Pasta out overnight	3/31/2008
Q: does freshly cooked pasta become dangerous if left out over night? :) A: Cooked pasta can support the growth of bacteria and thus is a product that needs to be refrigerated ...
granola business	3/30/2008
Q: I want to start a business selling homemade granola, how do I get the okay and any ideas on getting ... A: I hope you have read some of my other replies to individuals that have asked similar questions about ...
cakes	3/28/2008
Q: I am having a birthday party and was wondering how long a cake with whip cream can stay out of the ... A: A regular frosted cake (frosting made from powdered sugar) technically does not have to be ...
Freezing live catfish	3/28/2008
Q: I froze live catfish (they were still alive when put in the freezer). Can I clean and eat them when ... A: Freezing live fish is a very dangerous way to preserve fish as bacteria in the gut is not killed by ...
Black spots on Walnut	3/27/2008
Q: I have purchased some travel sized packets of without shells walnut, brazil nut, cashew, and raisins ... A: The spots are probably mold spots due to either growing conditions and/or storage conditions. These ...
can safety	3/27/2008
Q: is it safe to stick left over tomato juice still in the can in the refridgerator my boyfriend does ... A: It is not unsafe to store food directly in the can in the refrigerator though other containers with ...
spaghetti sauce	3/26/2008
Q: I am planning on making homemade spaghetti sauce with no meat, but with onion/peppers/spices etc. My ... A: I suggest you follow this tested recipe, from the University of Georgia National Center for Home ...
ham	3/26/2008
Q: I thawed and served a whole honey ham for Easter..A lot was left over..can I refreeze it. When I ... A: Yes, you can freeze thawed ham. It is recommended to freeze ham within 3-4 days of initial defrost ...
ground turkey use by date	3/24/2008
Q: I have a 3lb package of Perdue ground turkey in my fridge that was purchased over a week ago, with a ... A: Poultry products are especially subject to bacterial growth and thus have a shorter refrigerator ...
Ham on the counter	3/23/2008
Q: I left a fully cooked spiral ham on the counter this afternoon by accident-- it was out about 5 ... A: The recommendation is to not consume foods that can easily support the growth of bacteria that have ...
fresh caught cleaned fish refrigeration	3/22/2008
Q: My husband went fishing and returned with cleaned fish fillets, however he left them in the car in a ... A: This is a close call as the recommendation is to get fish on ice and refrigerated as soon as ...
thawing pork chops	3/21/2008
Q: I put some pork chops on the counter to thaw a couple of hours before they went in the fridge ... A: The recommendation is that potentially hazardous food (meat, seafood, poultry, dairy products, etc) ...
Ham - sell by date	3/21/2008
Q: I was given a ham that has a sell by date of 2/14/08 that was purchased in December of 07. It has ... A: Unfortunately, the ham should have been cooked and consumed or frozen within 1 week of 2/14 for a ...
vacume pacde meat	3/20/2008
Q: I'm going camping for 8 days and someone told me that if i vacuum packed meat,it would last without ... A: No, this is not true for fresh meat. Even though most bacteria that grow in meat are aerobic (need ...
left over veggie	3/19/2008
Q: I Made boiled potatos and carrots for St. Pats day, for 70 people. I have alot of potatos left that ... A: No -- the recommendation is to use, freeze or pitch leftover vegetables after 4 days in the ...
Leg of lamb	3/19/2008
Q: I am to prepare Easter dinner this Sunday and my friend gave me a leg of lamb that has been in her ... A: While a 4-year old frozen leg of lamb is safe to consume, be prepared that it probably won't be the ...
corned beef	3/17/2008
Q: ..I left a vacuum packed package of corned beef in my car overnight (accidentally), probably about 8 ... A: The recommendation is that potentially hazardous foods (meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, etc) that are ...
refrigerating hot meat	3/17/2008
Q: my mother in law has always told my hubby to let meat cool before refrigerating it, but when we use ... A: It is okay to place small amounts of hot food in the refrigerator, making sure that the food is not ...
powdered milk storage	3/17/2008
Q: For how long can powdered nonfat milk be stored and then used? Government surplus plastic bags of: ... A: I don't see any safety issues -- only quality issues. Off tasting milk is not harmful to consume, ...
food storage	3/17/2008
Q: I opened a can of mixed fruit on a Friday and was in a hurry so I didn't get to eat it. Because I ... A: No, there is not a health hazard in storing open cans of food in the refrigerator. While it is not ...
powdered milk storage	3/17/2008
Q: For how long can powdered nonfat milk be stored and then used? Government surplus plastic bags of: ... A: All powdered nonfat milk, opened or unopened, should be stored in air-tight containers in the ...
ground turkey	3/15/2008
Q: I placed a frozen chub of ground turkey in the fridge and forgot about it for 3 days. Is it safe to ... A: The recommendation is to use defrosted ground poultry products within 1-2 days of full defrost. ...
ham is offgassing?	3/15/2008
Q: I have a ham that's been in my fridge for a while, but I still have over a week until the sell-by ... A: This is a new one for me so I'm not sure if the ham is safe to consume or not. I suggest you ...
refreezing after opening deli meats	3/15/2008
Q: I work in a school kitchen setting and would like to know ..can deli meats such as presliced turkey ... A: Yes, this is a safe practice as you describe the situation. When you defrost the cubed and sliced ...
Non-stick coatings	3/14/2008
Q: How safe are they - I thoutht originally they leached aluminum particularly if scratched. Now there ... A: New research on non-stick coatings was conducted in 2004 and 2005 with the FDA releasing a statement ...
Freezer turned off	3/14/2008
Q: We accidentally unplugged our freezer that was in the garage and it was off for two days. Meet that ... A: Any meat that still had ice crystals when you discovered the unplugged freezer is safe to refreeze. ...
Home canned tomato juice	3/14/2008
Q: I discovered a dozen jars of tomato juice in my parents basement pantry. They canned the juice in ... A: The general recommendation is to use home canned foods within 1 year for maximum quality. However, ...
expiration of yogurt	3/13/2008
Q: I realize from reading many of your answers that there are standard responses. I would like this ... A: Yes, there are standard responses to food safety questions and these are based upon research with a ...
Ham	3/13/2008
Q: I recieved a fully cooked spiral ham as a gift from my job around Christmas. I have kept it ... A: The recommendation for un undated vacuum sealed cooked ham is to refrigerate up to 2 weeks or freeze ...
Honey Baked Ham	3/12/2008
Q: How long can you keep a honey baked ham in the refrigerator and it still be safe to eat? If it has ... A: The recommendation is to either eat or freeze a cooked ham that has been in the refrigerator for 4-5 ...
How long can I marinade my roast in Red Wine?	3/12/2008
Q: I have a chuck roast that I am merinating for a recipe that I am cooking tomorrow. The recipe ... A: It is not unsafe to marinate meat in wine for longer than recommended in the recipe. Possible ...
Moldy Sippy Cup...	3/11/2008
Q: My son reciently drank from a sippy cup with a stopper that was full of black mold. He threw up ... A: Your son probably expelled any mold he ingested when he threw up that day. Most ingested molds do ...
lasagna	3/10/2008
Q: My mom made 3 extra lasagnas for Christmas to give us as part of our gifts. They weren't baked...we ... A: No, they are fine to cook now. As long as they were frozen the whole time they are safe to use. ...
glass jars past the best by date.	3/9/2008
Q: I have several jars of tomato sauce. They are sealed and indentation in the lid hasn't popped up, ... A: If the jars still look the same as when purchased (no signs of leaks, jar lids are secure and not ...
Freezing cheese	3/8/2008
Q: Why does cheddar cheese (and other types) become crumbly and mealy if you freeze it? A: Cheese can become crumbly and mealy when frozen due to air evaporating out the cheese. This loss of ...
Freezer Problems	3/8/2008
Q: I am at a loss at what to do. I have read all through other related questions and still not 100% ... A: So sorry to hear of your freezer problems. As you know from my other posts, if meat and other ...
Butter Longevity	3/7/2008
Q: Why does it take butter longer to spoil than milk? Isn't butter just cream that's been beaten? ... A: While corn doesn't have as much oil as nuts and some other seeds like sunflowers, it does have some ...
how long befor fresh spaghetii sause spoiles	3/7/2008
Q: I have to make 45 large pans of Lasagna for my grandson 1st birthday I want to make the Sauce before ... A: If you want to make the sauce on Sunday, I suggest you freeze it for safety. Fresh made spaghetti ...
Hummus	3/7/2008
Q: How long can you keep fresh hummus in the refrigerator? Can you freeze hummus, and if so how long ... A: The general recommendation for hummus is to refrigerate and use fresh hummus within 4-5 days. ...
left a casserole with chicken and cheese out over night	3/6/2008
Q: I made a casserole last night that included chicken, 3 cheeses, and egg. It was baked in the oven ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods - phf for short - ...
boneless ham	3/6/2008
Q: How long can a boneless ham keep in the fridge before it goes bad? The local grocery store is ... A: It depends upon how it is packaged. If it is vacuum packed, it probably has a date on the ham ...
bacteria	3/5/2008
Q: I have one more question about food safety. I know about the danger zone and the 2 hour safety net. ... A: The probability of becoming ill increases the longer bacteria is in the danger zone. The more ...
Brie Cheese - Left Out for 12 hours - oops	3/5/2008
Q: I came home from the wine festival with some cheese that I had purchased just before I left the ... A: While brie is best eaten at room temperature for full flavor, it is a soft cheese that needs to be ...
selling baked goods from home	3/3/2008
Q: I read some other questions from people who wanted to start a home-based business selling baked ... A: Legally in Illinois, if you sell food products to the public you are to prepare them in a separate ...
Vacume sealed frozen meat - left out 12hrs+	3/3/2008
Q: I have 3 packages of vacume sealed frozen meat that I forgot to put back in the freezer. By the ... A: It is not recommended to defrost meat at room temperature -- that's essentially what you did by ...
Frozen Fish	3/2/2008
Q: I've had a fish fillet frozen in the fridge for about 4 weeks now, is it still okay to eat? A: I assume when you say frozen in the fridge you mean it was a frozen fillet, now defrosted but in the ...
pasta sauce left out overnight	3/1/2008
Q: I made a big pot of meatless pasta sauce and left it out overnight. It was very hot at around 7pm, ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume potentially dangerous foods (food capable of ...
Homemade tomato sauce	3/1/2008
Q: Last night I made a meat tomato sauce and it was left to cool before going into the fridge. It never ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume potentially hazardous foods (meats, dairy, fish, ...
italian sausage	2/29/2008
Q: I took some italian sausage out of the freezer two days ago and put it in the fridge to defrost. I ... A: Yes, you can refreeze the uncooked Italian sausage that you defrosted in the refrigerator. The ...
freezing seafood in marrinade	2/29/2008
Q: Can you purchase fresh prawns prepare them and put them in a marinade and then freeze them to cook ... A: By prepare I assume you mean taking the shells and heads off -- correct? If so, yes -- you can ...
food safety	2/28/2008
Q: Hi Carol can you tell me if i can freeze a fishermans pie i made from frozen fish regards Bob A: I assume you are making a traditional recipe which includes hard cooked eggs and mashed potatoes on ...
Food service regs	2/28/2008
Q: I recently became an Executive Director at an Assisted Living Facility. Where can I find information ... A: Congratulations in your new position. I assume from your question that you are not a certified food ...
Pork Roast	2/26/2008
Q: I bought a pork roast about a week to 1/2 weeks ago. It was not frozen. It has been in the fridge ... A: Since this is a vacuum packed meat product with a date the the last date the roast can safely be ...
Chicken soup left out all day	2/26/2008
Q: I made Chicken soup Sunday evening from the cooked chicken you get for $5.99. At 7AM I set out the ... A: What you described is a perfect scenario for food borne illness. Leaving foods at room temperature ...
PORK	2/25/2008
Q: I SENT THIS QUESTION A FEW MINUTES AGO BUT I GAVE YOU A WRONG EMAIL ADDRESS........I HAD .COM ... A: Congratulations on being named a new manager. I was in school food service for a large school ...
PORK SAFETY	2/25/2008
Q: I AM A NEW MANAGER AT THE MORTON SCHOOL..... I HAVE PORK ROASTS IN THE FREEZER THAT HAS BEEN THERE ... A: Congratulations on being named a new manager. I was in school food service for a large school ...
Is ham still good?	2/25/2008
Q: I received a Ridge Creek ham at Christmas. I stuck it in the refrigerator without reading the label. ... A: Refrigerated hams need to be either consumed or placed in the refrigerator within 1 week of purchase ...
selling homemade pie and cookies	2/25/2008
Q: I am considering this with a local family owned cafe and I was asked if I had a certified kitchen as ... A: Ah...I see why you can't use the cafe. As far as insurance, you need to talk with your insurance ...
Thawed frozen foods	2/24/2008
Q: I have a few questions about frozen foods. Can frozen foods such as stouffers frozen meals and ice ... A: You have some excellent questions which I will try to answer one by one. 1. Can you take frozen ...
Sending warm food to school for lunch	2/23/2008
Q: I have twins that are getting tired of the pbj and turkey sandwiches. How can I safely send things ... A: I would invest in 2 insulated thermoses for your twins. These containers can keep hot food hot for ...
selling homemade pie and cookies	2/23/2008
Q: I am considering this with a local family owned cafe and I was asked if I had a certified kitchen as ... A: Local health departments like it when new food entrepreneurs follow the laws and guidelines when ...
Pizza	2/23/2008
Q: We ordered pizza last night and forgot to put the left overs in the fridge until we got up in the ... A: While the pizza's may be perfectly safe to consume, there is no way of knowing for sure. Leaving ...
Frozen Chili	2/20/2008
Q: On Super Bowl Sunday, 2/3/08, we had chili. This chili was prepared by our college director duing ... A: Yes, the chili was handled properly and should be safe to thaw (in the refrigerator) reheat and ...
Is my Cheesecake safe?	2/19/2008
Q: I took the cream cheese out of the fridge (still in the package)yesterday morning so that it could ... A: To be on the safe side I would purchase new cream cheese for your cheesecake. Hard cheese can be at ...
Milk still good?	2/19/2008
Q: How long does regular milk stay good at room temperature? A: It is recommended that milk be refrigerated within 2 hours of purchase, or within 2 hours if taken ...
Soup left out overnight	2/19/2008
Q: I made a soup last night, with pasta noodles, corn, peas, broth, and beans. Is it safe to eat today. ... A: I suggest you go out for lunch today! Unfortunately, it is not recommended to consume cooked ...
pork at room temperature	2/19/2008
Q: How long is a thawed pork loin good at room temperature? A: The recommendation is potentially hazardous foods (meat, dairy, fish, etc) should not be a room ...
food storage	2/18/2008
Q: I cooked a pot of pinto beans (not canned) last weekend. How long can they stay in the fridge ... A: The general recommendation for cooked carbohydrates (beans, pasta, rice, etc) is to refrigerate and ...
Defrosted chicken	2/17/2008
Q: I froze boneless skinless chicken breasts, marinated in salad dressing, less than a month ago. I ... A: It all depends on when the chicken was fully defrosted. If you took the chicken out of the freezer ...
chili	2/17/2008
Q: my husband made chili yesterday and asked my son to refrigerate .......when we got home last night ... A: Leaving a potentially hazardous food (meat, dairy, etc) at room temperature for an extended period ...
pork roast	2/16/2008
Q: I put a frozen pork roast in the fridge to thaw last weekend and forgot about it. Is it too late ... A: The recommendation is to cook a fully defrosted piece of whole muscle meat, such as a pork roast, ...
Cleaning a stainless steel griddle	2/15/2008
Q: I just renovated my kitchen and installed a 36 " professional gas cooktop with a stainless steel ... A: I would follow the manufacturer's recommendation on cleaning as some ranges have specific cleaning ...
Yesterday's Hamburger OK to eat?	2/15/2008
Q: I purchased a hamburger (Portabello Mushroom from Carl's) yesterday for lunch and it sat out in a ... A: Sure...there is always a chance it could be good but are you willing to be ill this weekend? That's ...
Chicken stock	2/15/2008
Q: How long will home made chicken and chicken stock remain edible if kept in a cold refrigerator? A: The recommendation is to either use or freeze meat leftovers within 3-4 days after cooking. While ...
cake decorating business	2/14/2008
Q: My daughter and I are considering offering cake decorating services out of her home. I have ... A: Yes, if you are resident of Illinois and wish to sell food products you must be a licensed food ...
Pork chops!	2/14/2008
Q: I took out some frozen boneless pork chops last night and put them in the fridge for tonights ... A: Yes -- they will be fine. By tomorrow they should be fully defrosted and perfect for preparing for ...
Refrozen Hamburger Meat	2/13/2008
Q: I have put a package of vacuum-sealed hamburger meat in the fridge to thaw out several times only to ... A: Technically yes -- if it is always defrosted in the refrigerator and refrozen within 2 days of ...
beef mince	2/13/2008
Q: my boyfriend cooked beef mince last night. he then left it covered on the stove all night and all ... A: No..this is not a safe practice. Meat products can easily support the growth of bacteria, ...
Frying oil	2/12/2008
Q: I usually strain and refrigerate my frying oil after I use it, but this time I left it in the fryer ... A: Yes, the oil should be safe to use. It is not necessary for safety to refrigerate oil, although ...
Starting an Infused Olive Oil Business	2/11/2008
Q: I've read several of your posts about starting a home based food business. After reading them I ... A: While it may seem like a simple process of making infused oil, in actuality it is much more ...
using thawed chicken	2/11/2008
Q: I thawed chicken 'drum sticks' on Saturday, they have been in the fridge, however only tonight- ... A: The expiry date you refer to is the "sell by" date for the benefit of the grocery store to help them ...
freezer	2/8/2008
Q: I can't seem to keep my freezer at 0. It usually seems to stay around 10 degrees. Will that be a ... A: While it is considered safe to have food stored above 0 degrees, the quality of the food will ...
chicken broth	2/7/2008
Q: I made some homemade chicken broth yesterday, but it was left out on the counter overnight. Is it ... A: The recommendation is to not use foods that should be either kept hot or cold that have been at room ...
Food Safety	2/6/2008
Q: After I cooked a pot of rise this morning, I left it cooling and covered on the cold stove and went ... A: Since there is no way currently to know whether cooked carbohydrates (rice, pasta, vegetables) are ...
stored soup safety	2/6/2008
Q: My daughter cooled and froze some homemade beetroot soup before Christmas and thawed it in the ... A: The general rule of thumb is to utilize defrosted foods within 4-5 days of defrost. Your soup is ...
Thawed Chicken in Microwave Oven	2/5/2008
Q: I have a stupid question. Last night I semi thawed chicken breast in the microwave oven and changed ... A: The recommendation is to not cook or consume chicken that has been at room temperature over 2 hours. ...
Vegetable soup out overnight	2/5/2008
Q: I made soup with leeks, spinach, and chickpeas last night (no meat, no dairy), then forgot to put ... A: Unfortunately, cooked carbohydrates like leeks, spinach and chickpeas need to be refrigerated within ...
to freeze or not to freeze	2/4/2008
Q: Mom told me that if you cook anything from the freezer you cannot re-freeze. She generally said it ... A: It is okay to refreeze cooked food that was originally defrosted from the freezer. The key is ...
Silicon gaskets for food storage	2/4/2008
Q: I have been seeking a source for replacement silicon gaskets for my glass and ceramic food storage ... A: I have done a Google search to see if I can come up with a source for your silicone gaskets with ...
Is it ok to Blast Chill Grilled Chiken and Steaks	2/3/2008
Q: I see a lot of cook chilled foods on shop shelves- at least in my country South Africa.However i do ... A: You have access to a blast chiller? If so, any meat can be successfully blast chilled and then ...
thawed turkey	1/31/2008
Q: I put a frozen solid turkey in the fridge, it still has not been cooked and now it has been 12 days. ... A: Unfortunately, you are way beyond the safe window of preparing a thawed turkey. The recommendation ...
Salsa	1/30/2008
Q: I seem to grab a new jar of salsa at every trip to the grocery store. How long can I keep a ... A: Opened jars of tomato products have a tendency to mold upon extended refrigerator storage. The ...
Fish Stock	1/21/2008
Q: I had boiled some fish heads and chicken pcs. to make stock. I stored the stock in the frigidaire, ... A: The recommendation is to use or freeze fish/meat stock within 4-5 days. After that time, just like ...
honey & spice ham glaze	1/21/2008
Q: I purchased the ham, but did not use the ham glaze on it when I cooked it. What can I use the ham ... A: Glazes may be used on chicken, pork roast or pork chops just as you would on the ham. Some glazes ...
Refrozen ground turkey	1/20/2008
Q: I took a pound of ground turkey from the freezer and let it defrost in the refrigerator. I didn't ... A: The recommendation is if it is not considered safe to serve to humans, it is not considered safe to ...
diced beef be kept in the refridgerator uncooked	1/20/2008
Q: How long can diced beef be kept in the refrigerator uncooked. I bought 500g on Friday and today is ... A: The recommendation is to cook or freeze beef within 3-4 days of purchase. Since you bought the meat ...
pork stock left out in hawaii	1/20/2008
Q: I left a container of homemade pork stock without the pork on my container overnight. The ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume foods that can easily support the growth of ...
home made chicken soup	1/19/2008
Q: I made chicken soup with all natural broth, cooked chicken breast, carrots, and brown rice yesterday ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume foods that have the potential for supporting the ...
Fishes	1/19/2008
Q: Schlitt, Some of the stores that sell whole fish sell Capitaine (also known as White Croaker) and ... A: I too am not aware of whole fish frozen without being first prepared with the viscera removed. This ...
spiral ham leftovers	1/19/2008
Q: What is the longest you would use a leftover refrigerated ham bone to make soup? A: The recommendation is that meat leftovers be used within 4-5 days after initial refrigeration. This ...
steel and tomatoes	1/19/2008
Q: Lets say, hypothetically speaking of course, that my husband has a strange preference for using ... A: I got quite a chuckle reading this question. Can't say I've ever had this one before. While I'm not ...
Vacuumed Sealed Beef	1/15/2008
Q: We recently bought some frozen vacuumed sealed NY Steaks(Coleman Beef). There was a date on the ... A: If the meat were consistently frozen the entire time, the meat is safe to consume. The quality of ...
fridge left open all night	1/14/2008
Q: My boyfriend accidentally left the fridge open all night, which was for about 7 hours. The milk was ... A: The recommendation is if potentially hazardous foods (meat, milk, eggs, fish, etc) have been above ...
lasagna	1/12/2008
Q: When I googled my question, the answer I found was you can refreeze cooked lasagna. But my question ... A: Yes, from how you described you've handled the lasagna, you can refreeze, thaw (in the refrigerator) ...
Toffee	1/11/2008
Q: I like to make Toffee to send to my family out of state. The main ingredients are corn syrup, ... A: Toffee and other hard, brittle-type candies have a tendency of becoming gummy and could be due to a ...
aluminum	1/11/2008
Q: I just bought an aluminum reusable drinking bottle from potterybarn because of the safety questions ... A: Yes, aluminum, stainless steel and surgical stainless steel are all approved materials for beverage ...
Homemade Soup Ingredients	1/10/2008
Q: I love to make homemade soup; my question to you is in regards to the ingredients I use. When I ... A: From what you describe I can see no problem with the way you've been making soup. As long as the ...
leftover polish sausage	1/10/2008
Q: We have some ham stock soup with evaporated milk and polish sausage in it (borscht). It was made ... A: Since Christmas was 17 days ago and the recommendation for using leftovers that contain meat is a ...
sardines	1/10/2008
Q: I have been trying to find out if canned sardines are raw ... my daughter is pregnant ...she loves ... A: Yes -- sardines are a cooked product. All meat, fish, poultry, etc that is canned is cooked, either ...
Manufacturing Frozen Pizza	1/10/2008
Q: I stumbled upon your information regarding Flash Freezing of Dinner Entrees and wanted to find out ... A: Ah -- the beautiful northwest!! Check out this website: ...
eggs	1/9/2008
Q: When i came home from the store i forgot to put the eggs in the fridge. I left the on the counter ... A: The recommendation is that cold food brought home from the store should be refrigerated or frozen ...
washing fruit before eating	1/9/2008
Q: How does one wash a bunch of grapes. We are told to wash uncooked fruit, but seeing what most ... A: The reason it is not recommended to use soap or bleach to wash fruits is that some fruit surfaces ...
Manufacturing Frozen Pizza	1/9/2008
Q: I stumbled upon your information regarding Flash Freezing of Dinner Entrees and wanted to find out ... A: Unfortunately, I do not have any personal experience on making frozen pizzas for sale. However, if ...
roasting chicken	1/9/2008
Q: Is it okay to start roasting a chicken, stop for a couple of hour,s and then finish roasting the ... A: Interrupted cooking is not a recommended practice as it provides a perfect environment for bacteria ...
heating pork/frozen ham	1/8/2008
Q: i recently purchased both a ham and pork joint to use in sandwiches and there is too much,would it ... A: Yes, it is safe to slice and freeze purchased ham and pork for sandwiches. Simply package the meat ...
Re-cooking Roast Port	1/8/2008
Q: I cooked a joint of pork yesterday then refridgerated the meat over night. Can I cook it again ... A: No it is not dangerous to reheat meat (pork, beef, chicken, fish, etc) that has been refrigerated. ...
store bought canned tomato juice	1/8/2008
Q: I had a can of tomato juice in the back of my refrig that has been there quite a while (2 years or ... A: As you've found out, food in the refrigerator does not get better with age!! Tomato products tend ...
thawed ground beef/turkey	1/7/2008
Q: Yesterday I pulled out a package of frozen ground beef/turkey. This is a combination I packed right ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not consume meats that have been at room temperature more ...
Farmed Salmon from Chili	1/7/2008
Q: At our local warehouse store, we have seen the salmon for sale that says on the label, "farmed from ... A: In wild salmon the red color comes from the way the fish metabolizes the carotene pigment ...
pork chop safety	1/6/2008
Q: Why would a raw chop have a very dark gray to black bone? A: While dark grey or black bones are not very attractive or appetizing in fresh meat, it is a ...
"colored" farmed salmon	1/6/2008
Q: At our local warehouse store, we have seen the salmon for sale that says on the label, "farmed from ... A: Your question is very timely, as research is being conducted as we speak on this very subject. The ...
vacuumed sealed cooked chicken	1/6/2008
Q: How long is cooked boneless skinless chicken breast in a vacuum sealed bag good for? ANSWER: Hi ... A: Home vacuum sealed chicken will be safe in the refrigerator up to 5 days. The recommendation for ...
cereal grains	1/5/2008
Q: Do cereal grains - quinoa, brown rice, corn, buckwheat - need to be stored in the refrigerator? A: Cereal grains should be stored in a cool, dry and dark location. Some people choose to store them ...
washing fruit before eating	1/4/2008
Q: How does one wash a bunch of grapes. We are told to wash uncooked fruit, but seeing what most ... A: As detergent and soap are not designed for human consumption, the recommendation is to not wash ...
I want to open a baked goods biz from my home.	1/4/2008
Q: I am interested in opening a business out of my home. I have questions on food safety and health ... A: If you've read any of my answers to similar questions you'll see that you legally need to have a ...
vacuumed sealed cooked chicken	1/3/2008
Q: How long is cooked boneless skinless chicken breast in a vacuum sealed bag good for? A: I assume from your question that a "Use By" date is not viable on the package. Cooked chicken ...
Turkey broth safety	1/3/2008
Q: I cooked a turkey for Thanksgiving and saved the broth in my refrigerator. How long is it safe to ... A: The recommendation is to use the broth within 5 days or freeze for future use. As you indicated ...
thawed tv dinners	1/3/2008
Q: I bought about a dozen lean cuisine tv dinners, but forgot to take them out of my car and put them ... A: The general recommendation is to put frozen foods purchased at the grocery store into a freezer as ...
Cooked pork	1/3/2008
Q: How long can you safely eat refrigerated cooked pork? Can it be put in freezer? A: The recommendation for all refrigerated cooked meats is to use within 3-4 days. If you can not do ...
chicken	1/2/2008
Q: i buy 50 frozen chicken breasts from a butcher can i de frost them and portion them as they stuck ... A: Yes, you can safely defrost the chicken breasts in the refrigerator and separate into portions. It ...
Honey baked ham	1/1/2008
Q: How long can you keep a 9 pound Honeybaked Ham in the freezer and still eat it safely? It was ... A: Your question should really be -- how long will a 9 pound Honeybaked frozen ham taste good when ...
Food Left Unrefigerated	12/31/2007
Q: My husband believes it is ok to keep food that is supposed to be refrigerated out on the counter, ... A: The recommendation to put foods into refrigeration that can easily support the growth of bacteria ...
Keeping spinach crispy	12/30/2007
Q: (This isn't technically a food safety issue, but you say you know about preservation as well. ... A: As you've found holding spinach over 3 days is very difficult. Research shows that cold, moist ...
Ham storage	12/29/2007
Q: My husbands company gives us a fully smoked whole ham every christmas about a week before, and we ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to refrigerate the ham up to 1 week after slicing. Perhaps you ...
powdered milk question	12/29/2007
Q: i would like to ask a question about powdered milk i was thinking about making the powdered milk to ... A: Yes, making powdered milk into drinkable milk was what it was originally designed. For best flavor, ...
Frozen cheesecake	12/29/2007
Q: I have frozen a cheesecake. I'm planning to travel with out without a cooler. How long can the ... A: If the frozen cheesecake is wrapped tightly in insulated wrappings and then placed in a box with ice ...
cured ham	12/28/2007
Q: my freezer was left open and a cured ham thawed. I froze it again. Will it be ok to cook and eat? A: If the ham had fully thawed (no ice crystals within the meat) the recommendation is to no consume ...
Turkey Left out	12/28/2007
Q: My mother-in-law insists that the turkey we had for Christmas which afterwards she left in the oven ... A: The practice of leaving meats and poultry at room temperature for extended periods of time is no ...
Cooked meats not refrigerated	12/28/2007
Q: After cooking stews, ribs,chicken, pot roasts...is it safe to leave them out all night on the stove ... A: Leaving meat at room temperature for extended periods of time after cooking is now considered an ...
food left in car during the winter (temps in the 20s)	12/27/2007
Q: Can the car trunk be used as a refrigerator during the winter when temps are in the 20s? We have a ... A: If you can guarantee that the trunk is holding food below 40 degrees all the time then I see no ...
Prawns - nutritional facts	12/26/2007
Q: My family and I are living in India on the East Coast. there is a regular supply of prawns which we ... A: Happy Holidays to you in India! I'm jealous that you have such a wonderful supply of fresh prawns ...
olive oil	12/26/2007
Q: I received a three liter tin of Tuscan olive oil that was cold-pressed within the last month. The ... A: Sorry your expensive olive oil can arrived dented but the good news is the contents should be fine. ...
uncooked chicken left on counter overnight	12/25/2007
Q: I was thawing boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the next day's meal and forgot to put it in the ... A: Unfortunately, the recommendation is to not cook and eat the chicken. Meats, fish and poultry that ...
left out lasagna	12/25/2007
Q: I made a lasagna with ground beef and pork in aluminum pans and covered in aluminum foil. shut off ... A: Unfortunately, your lasagna has been given the perfect conditions for growing harmful bacteria. And, ...
frozen turkey	12/25/2007
Q: I gather that the standard for consuming frozen poutry is within 365 days of freezing. Ignorant of ... A: The recommendation to use frozen poultry within 1 year is based on quality -- not safety. As long ...
country ham	12/25/2007
Q: I went through the process of soaking a dry cured whole country ham in water for 24 hours. Nothing ... A: It should be safe but will not be of the same consistency or flavor of a true country cured ham. I ...