| Subject | Date Asked |
|
| frozen chili | 10/2/2009 |
Q: I made chili, meat with beans and froze it, it's about 1-1/2 quarts. I took it out to thaw on the ...
A: Food should not be used if the food temperature is allowed to remain above 41 degrees for more than ...
|
| Grilling beef kabobs 2 days after making | 9/15/2009 |
Q: We are making 400 kebobs (beef/veggies and chicken/veggies) for a wedding and the plan is to ...
A: If raw meat comes in contact with the vegetables cooking should destroy any bacteria present. If ...
|
| cooking and storing in the same container | 6/20/2009 |
Q: is it safe to cook and refrigerate spagetti sauce in the pan in which is was cooked?
A: In most cases yes, however, some acidic foods (tomato sauce included) can react with metal pans and ...
|
| Condiment storage & use | 6/4/2009 |
Q: Chris, MyAre condiments (individual packets)that have been put in the refrigerator, and are found ...
A: If the packets require refrigeration, and are received refrigerated, they should not be reused once ...
|
| raw chicken | 6/3/2009 |
Q: I keep telling my husband that you can not put raw chicken on the same plate as raw beef.He thinks ...
A: The answer depends on the temperature that the food is cooked to. Chicken must be cooked to a ...
|
| storing garlic and ground flaxseed | 5/19/2009 |
Q: I bought two large plastic containers- one containing minced garlic in phosphoric acid and the other ...
A: If you won't use all the flaxseed within 6 weeks, you can freeze it and keep it for up to 1 year. ...
|
| Food service sink/drain requirements | 5/19/2009 |
Q: My husband and I are opening an ice cream/coffee/sandwich in suburban Cook County IL. We will not ...
A: Great questions, while I can't answer the question with absolute certainty for your County, most ...
|
| egg left out | 3/5/2009 |
Q: I left a carton of eggs out overnight in my cold car. Are they still good or should I throw them ...
A: More than likely they are still ok. Depending on where you live they may have never risen above 41 ...
|
| Safety of Kitchen Utensil Material | 2/25/2009 |
Q: Is it safe to use Brass Utensil for Cooking? Which is better for health Aluminum or Brass utensil ...
A: There are numerous and conflicting studies that indicate both of these materials may cause long term ...
|
| Chicken Soup | 2/17/2009 |
Q: I made chicken soup last night and cooked it for 5 hours. It's a recipe that cooks for 12-24 hours. ...
A: The 8 hours that the soup was off the heat might be sufficient for enough bacteria to grow or ...
|
| spiral cut hams | 2/6/2009 |
Q: I have a Sam's Club spiral cut ham. I was going to use it today, but noticed that it says use by ...
A: Most expiration dates are used by manufacturers to ensure the product quality and freshness is ...
|
| frozen beef | 2/5/2009 |
Q: I have frozen marinated beef in its original package and the package has swelled up like a balloon. ...
A: Is the package still frozen, or did it swell up when you thawed it? A swelling package may indicate ...
|
| Yogurt left out overnight | 2/4/2009 |
Q: I left a carton of yogurt (Dannon "Lite and Fit") out of the refrigerator for about 12 hours - at ...
A: Yogurt is typically acidic enough to prevent spoilage, and has a high level of competing organisms ...
|
| Expired Garlic Pills | 2/4/2009 |
Q: Don't know if you can help me, but I have some expired garlic pills; Do their properties just ...
A: The expiration date may be a date at which the manufacturer expects the potency and effectiveness of ...
|
| peas cooked and left over night | 2/4/2009 |
Q: I am conducting an experiment in Microbiology and want to know what type of organisms will grow from ...
A: If the peas are completely cooked, and then left uncovered at room temperature they will begin to ...
|
| Week old tuna sandwich | 2/3/2009 |
Q: My 14 year old daughter made a (canned) tuna sandwich a week ago today but didn't eat it until ...
A: It's very difficult to tell if her illness was caused by the sandwich or not. Symptoms typically ...
|
| Tomato Sauce | 2/3/2009 |
Q: I made homemade tomato sauce last night for spaghetti. It was from cans of tomato sauce, garlic and ...
A: If the sauce was made from commercially processed tomato sauce it will likely be too acidic to ...
|
| greasy particles in our olive oil | 2/2/2009 |
Q: we use olive oil in our bread baking and for the first time have noticed greasy white particles in ...
A: It sounds like the oil has been refrigerated or even frozen at some point during transport and ...
|
| water | 2/2/2009 |
Q: Is there a difference between bottled water and tap water? Is it healthier to drink bottled water or ...
A: The answer depends largely on which bottled water and which tap water supply you are referring to. ...
|
| Handling vacuumed paced foods | 2/1/2009 |
Q: After purchasing commercial vacuumed packed tuna fish, how do I handle for proper storage, at home? ...
A: The vacuum packaging used for the tuna pouches should be handled in the same manner the cans are. ...
|
| baking | 1/23/2009 |
Q: A friend of mine has a cafe and has asked me to bake cup cakes for her business in a very small way ...
A: Some general requirements: -All food sold in a retail food establishment must be from an approved ...
|
| Pre-searing meat | 1/22/2009 |
Q: I am cooking racks of lamb for a large dinner party. Is is possible to sear the racks ahead of time ...
A: The best practice would be to go directly from searing to the oven, however, if the time between ...
|
| shelf life of home-canned vegetables | 1/16/2009 |
Q: I've been surfing the web and have found many answers to this question with a range of 1 year all ...
A: The most common recommendation is not to use home canned items beyond 1-2 years. The processing ...
|
| garlic in oil | 1/14/2009 |
Q: I recently peeled garlic, put it in a jar covered with oil and left it on the counter. When the jar ...
A: The danger in making garlic in oil products from fresh garlic (or herbs)is associated with ...
|
| mussels | 1/8/2009 |
Q: He Chris, I bought 1 kg of mussels from our local supermarket today. They are UK Reared, grown on a ...
A: I typically see mussels stored in buckets or bowls under refrigeration. The mussels should be safe ...
|
| Pie Warmers | 1/7/2009 |
Q: Can you tell me how long you can safely hold pies in a pie warmer at above the safe temperature. ...
A: The pies would be considered safe if held above 140 degrees (60C) or below 41 degrees (5C). These ...
|
| moldy donuts | 1/6/2009 |
Q: I masticated and probably ingested mold from a packaged chocolate-covered donut from a vending ...
A: If you continue to have symptoms you should see a doctor. Typically, molds are not harmful if ...
|
| mold in baby's sippy cup | 12/31/2008 |
Q: i have a really embarrassing question. i am a real overconcerned parent. recently i found mold in my ...
A: It is unlikely that the mold will cause your child to become ill. Many symptoms caused by mold can ...
|
| Defrosted foods | 12/11/2008 |
Q: I removed a vacuum packed bag of venison berger and thawed on the counter. The bag was forgotten out ...
A: It's difficult to determine without knowing exactly how long the food was warmer than 41 degrees. ...
|
| Frozen Pork Chops | 12/11/2008 |
Q: I put out my pork chops on the counter to defrost. I forgot to refrigerate them, and when I got up ...
A: Potentially hazardous food should be discarded if it has been allowed to remain between 41 and 140 ...
|
| refreezing pineapple juice | 12/10/2008 |
Q: I recently had a piano recital where I served punch consisting of frozen (canned) pineapple juice ...
A: If the cans were left unopened, and only were partially thawed, there is no reason why the juice ...
|
| Produce safety in supermarkets | 12/10/2008 |
Q: Could I transfer bacteria from fresh produce from my hands to other items in my cart? I ask this ...
A: Fresh produce should always be washed before use. It is possible to inadvertently transfer soil ...
|
| Food Safety Cook/Chill | 12/9/2008 |
Q: We are a commissary. We have a HACCP program. Our cook/chill is written to cook all products to a ...
A: No, 165 degrees is a minimum required temperature for raw chicken, and foods that have been ...
|
| stainless steel safety with hot beverages and food | 12/4/2008 |
Q: I have heard that some stainless steel beverage and food containers are unsafe due to a chemical in ...
A: This is a very hot topic at the moment and there is considerable controversy over whether the ...
|
| Starbucks -- time milk carafes can set out | 12/3/2008 |
Q: I am an assistant manager at a Valley Starbucks. We have the standard of changing our milk carafes ...
A: This is typically a Starbucks requirement. Most Health Departments require potentially hazardous ...
|
| Discoloration Inside Canned Tomato Product | 11/16/2008 |
Q: After opening two tomato puree cans, I notice a black color on some areas about 1/2 to 1 inch below ...
A: Any discoloration, or off odor inside a canned product should be a reason to not use the product. ...
|
| Tomato sauce/paste storage | 10/10/2008 |
Q: Chris: I've heard that tomatoes in cooked form (ketchup, sauce, or paste) can become toxic if not ...
A: Tomatoes are typically acidic and have some level of shelf stability from their low pH. ...
|
| selling baked goods | 10/10/2008 |
Q: I am already a small business owner. I own a small ice cream shop that is closed during the winter. ...
A: The first thing you should do is contact your local health department. Regulations vary widely from ...
|
| lasagna...thawed and later frozen, can it be eaten | 10/7/2008 |
Q: i noticed our freezer was leaking lots of water. someone left the door open. I stupidly forgot to ...
A: It's hard to say without knowing how thawed everything became. If everything thawed completely, to ...
|
| applesauce | 9/23/2008 |
Q: We recently had a power outage that resulted in having to throw out pretty much everything in my ...
A: Applesauce is considered a potentially hazardous food, and should be discarded as well. It may be ...
|
| crock pot cooking | 9/23/2008 |
Q: Is it unsafe to put leftover roast and/or potatoes back in the crock pot it cooked in during the day ...
A: Yes and no, if the temperature is always maintained at 140 degrees or above, the food is safe. ...
|
| HEALTH HAZARDS OF COOKING OR REHEATING PREPARED FOOD IN PLASTIC BAGS | 9/23/2008 |
Q: I AM LOOKING FOR ANY SCIENTIFIC STUDY THAT CLEARLY STATES THAT HOT FOODS EXPOSED TO PLASTIC BAGS ARE ...
A: The difficulty you will have in what you are looking for is that not all plastic bags are the same. ...
|
| Storing Vacuum Sealed Brisket | 9/21/2008 |
Q: I have a vacuum sealed brisket purchased before the sell date of July 1, 2008. However, it sat in a ...
A: 6 weeks in the refrigerator is a very long time to store anything in the refrigerator. You are ...
|
| Homemade Candy Business from home | 9/12/2008 |
Q: I want to start selling my homemade confections from home in Illinois. What do I need to do?? I was ...
A: Because regulations vary so widely from State to State and from County to County, you are best off ...
|
| food safety | 8/28/2008 |
Q: I have heard that if mentos(the chocolate) mixes with cold drinks like coke or Pepsi- it forms ...
A: The two do not form a poison, the CO2 in the soda rapidly forms bubbles on the surface of the candy. ...
|
| stainless steel drinking bottles | 8/19/2008 |
Q: Some people say the chromium and nickel content in stainless steel bottles make them not safe for ...
A: The risk of minerals leaching into water from a stainless bottle is very low. Stainless steel is ...
|
| Canning BBQ sauce | 8/18/2008 |
Q: I recently received an answer that you can not water bath home made beef, chicken or vegetable stock ...
A: If you have a pressure type canner, you can safely process stock and sauces. It is not recommended ...
|
| Opened Pasta Sauce / Mold | 8/18/2008 |
Q: I was hastily making dinner this evening and added pasta sauce that I had grabbed from the fridge ...
A: Typically the mold that grows on food that has been lingering in the fridge does not cause illness. ...
|
| okay to eat | 8/6/2008 |
Q: i made a rice and chicken dish that i accidentally left sitting in a sealed freezer ziplock bag for ...
A: In 4 hours time bacteria could have formed a heat stable toxin that cooking will not destroy, it ...
|
| Expired Baby Juice Products sold in Grocery Store | 7/29/2008 |
Q: I have encountered multiple times, a local departmental store selling expired Gerber Baby Juice. ...
A: The best thing you can do is notify the store. We routinely check expiration dates of these items ...
|
| cooking, freezing, defrosting roast | 7/28/2008 |
Q: If I cook a roast or a turkey brest then vacuum seal it and freeze it; will it be safe to eat at a ...
A: Yes, some points to remember; -Cook completely, use a thermometer to ensure the correct cooking ...
|
| vacuum sealing of cooked chicken and beef | 7/28/2008 |
Q: I cooked up a bunch of hamburger and chicken for my sons upcoming graduation party. I just read ...
A: You should cool food completely before sealing it to reduce the risk that bacterial contamination ...
|
| Deli meat and condiment expirations | 7/17/2008 |
Q: I am the personal assistant for our company, so I'm in charge of the groceries. We are trying to ...
A: I get quite a few questions asking about how long to keep things that have been lurking in the ...
|
| Filet Mignon | 7/16/2008 |
Q: I have a couple pieces of fillet mignon and they've been thawed in my fridge for about 2 weeks. ...
A: If cooked correctly it will be fine. Beef in particular actually can benefit from being aged at ...
|
| expiration date | 7/16/2008 |
Q: How many days past a sell by date would you consider it to no longer be safe to cook meat. Pork ...
A: I would consider raw meat as having a very long shelf life, particularly if frozen, but in cases ...
|
| Pizza Left Out 24 Hours | 7/5/2008 |
Q: My boyfriend likes to eat pizza after it has been siting out for 24 hours. Is this safe, my common ...
A: No it's not safe. Pizza, and any other potentially hazardous food should be held at below 41 ...
|
| Arsenic in drinking water and vegetables | 7/4/2008 |
Q: I stay in West Bengal, India, and there is arsenic contamination of water in certain districts of ...
A: Most water testing labs can test for arsenic, the test is relatively inexpensive. A reverse osmosis ...
|
| refrigerated fruit left out all night | 6/30/2008 |
Q: We bought fruit that was refrigerated in the store, then left it out all night. It is Delmonte's ...
A: Most fruit is ok to leave at room temperature. The fruit will tend to spoil and mold more quickly, ...
|
| Thawed Pork | 6/20/2008 |
Q: I thawed pork tenderloin last night in the sink- without water, which now I know I am not supposed ...
A: You should not allow food to remain at temperatures between 41 and 140 degrees for more than 4 ...
|
| Can we store food in stainless steel containers and pots? | 5/8/2008 |
Q: We have a discussion at work, If it is safe to store our soups, cooked potatoes and other food in ...
A: Short-term storage in metal containers is a safe practice. Over time, food (especially highly ...
|
| growth? in beef | 5/8/2008 |
Q: ..market's corporate HQ said not safe, but we'd already eaten meat. Now they're ignoring calls ...
A: If you have not been injured by or become ill from the meat after 1 month there is little chance ...
|
| flank steak "use by" date | 5/1/2008 |
Q: I bought some flank steak from the butcher at the supermarket on April 27. I was planning on using ...
A: I apologize for responding to your question well after any usefulness to the situation you asked ...
|
| Residential Kitchens | 4/29/2008 |
Q: I live in Swansea MA. I wanted to start to start a small business and apply to be a residential ...
A: Regulations vary widely from State to State. For example, in my State as well as most of our ...
|
| 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: The two ingredients you have found are curing agents (Prague Powder), and preservatives ...
|
| thaw steak | 4/15/2008 |
Q: i left a steak to thaw in the sink over night (12 hrs) if i cooked it in the morning is it ok or is ...
A: You should not allow food to thaw at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth. If the steak has ...
|
| Freezing live fish | 3/28/2008 |
Q: I recently froze live catfish (they were still alivd). Can I still clean and eat them once they are ...
A: I don't think you will have an issue cleaning the fish after having been frozen as far as safety, ...
|
| Unsliced Deli meats | 3/27/2008 |
Q: I was interested in slicing my own deli meat but I would like to know how long unsliced slab of meat ...
A: If the product is stored at 41 degrees or below it will remain safe longer than signs of spoilage ...
|
| handlihg chicken | 3/18/2008 |
Q: my husband insists he doesn't have to wash his hands after cutting up chicken if he rinses them in ...
A: You are correct that hand washing with soap and running water is the preferred method. The ...
|
| chlorine taste in packaged foods | 3/13/2008 |
Q: For the past several years some of the bagged salad blends have had a strong chlorine taste and ...
A: Outside of a few types of seed sprouts, I do not know of any food products that are routinely ...
|
| Prawns | 3/5/2008 |
Q: Can you eat prawns that have been left at room temp for a couple of hours? What are the rules? ...
A: The answer depends on temperature. The prawns should be held below 41 degrees or above 140 degrees, ...
|
| leaving food out | 3/3/2008 |
Q: i have a few food questions. if i leave food sitting out for a long time like frozen stuff and eggs ...
A: Great questions! Most bacteria will not survive cooking to 165 degrees, however several types of ...
|
| tomato sauce | 3/1/2008 |
Q: I made a huge pot of tomato sauce yesterday afternoon and forgot to refrigerate it before going to ...
A: In general tomatoes can be considered safe due to a low pH. It is not always the case though, and ...
|
| Sour cream | 2/14/2008 |
Q: I left an unopened container of sour cream and one of horseradish out for 24 hrs. I opened them and ...
A: Prepared horseradish is often ok to use if unopened. Did you purchase it refrigerated? Does the ...
|
| Weevils | 2/12/2008 |
Q: I am tryin to figure out exactly what causes weevils. They are naturally occurring, right? And they ...
A: The eggs of the weevil are laid in the grain or rice and then emerge as larvae. Typically they are ...
|
| to freeze or not to freeze | 2/4/2008 |
Q: If you take veal out of the freezer and make sauce with it can you freeze the sauce afterwards?
A: The critical step in ensuring the sauce will be safe when you refreeze it would be making sure the ...
|
| raw meat | 2/1/2008 |
Q: I bought a roast last night and neglected to put it in refridgerator. I hadn't opened the package, ...
A: I typically advise to throw any food out that has been left above 41 degrees for more than 4 hours. ...
|
| Unrefrigerated Yogurt | 1/29/2008 |
Q: I left a box of kids yogurt unrefrigerated last night for about 10 hrs. As soon as I noticed the ...
A: While yogurt typically has a pH low enough to offer some protection against the growth of harmful ...
|
| leaving meat out to defrost | 1/25/2008 |
Q: How long can meats be left out to defrost at room temperture, and how long after it has been cooked ...
A: Meat should never be defrosted at room temperature. If you have to defrost items quickly, use the ...
|
| homemade turkey soup | 1/18/2008 |
Q: I made turkey soup with celery, carrots and rice (the meat never got added) on the 27th of Dec. ...
A: If the soup was cooled correctly originally and held under refrigeration in the meantime, there is ...
|
| beef sausage | 1/10/2008 |
Q: can I eat beef sausage 2 days after it's due date. I cooked it on broil for 10 minutes (high broil) ...
A: If you are referring to the "Sell By" date printed on the packaging, then yes, most foods are still ...
|
| Smoked Turkey Thawed | 1/3/2008 |
Q: I took out my smoked turkey for thawing a couple days before Christmas. We had more than enough ...
A: Manufacturers typically give a recommendation on how long their product will retain its original ...
|
| Pork and sourkraut | 1/3/2008 |
Q: I put some boneless porkchops and sourkaut in a slow cooker on Sunday evening and left them until ...
A: Leaving the food hot from Sunday to Wednesday can be very dangerous. If the temperature is not ...
|
| I think I ate some moldy bread | 12/29/2007 |
Q: I need to find something out, I think I may have eaten some moldy bread, I went make myself a ...
A: I apologize for the delay in answering this question, I have been on vacation for the New Year's ...
|
| cookie dough refridgeration | 12/20/2007 |
Q: I was wondering how long I can refridgerate sugar cookie dough safely. I had made a batch on ...
A: Most cookie doughs have enough sugar in them to be kept safely in refrigeration for several weeks. ...
|
| Dehydrated meat | 12/19/2007 |
Q: I recently made deer jerky. I used a beef rub for seasoning. I did not cure the meat with a cure. ...
A: Jerky typically lacks water content to support the growth of organisms, removing the water through ...
|
| Smoked turkey | 12/19/2007 |
Q: Is sliced smoked turkey from the deli safe to eat in countries with outbreaks of the avian flu? I ...
A: All poultry (turkey, chicken, duck, goose, quail pheasant, etc.) should be cooked to 165F or 74C. ...
|
| Storage of meat | 12/19/2007 |
Q: I purchased a Ridge Creek sealed spiral ham a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving with a date of ...
A: The ham will still be safe, however it may not taste good after an extended time in the ...
|
| package dates for sausage | 12/10/2007 |
Q: I purchased some sausage for a rice dish and only used half of the contents. I kept it in the ...
A: Once opened and exposed to air the sausage will degrade in quality quickly. Safety of the food ...
|
| Food Safety | 12/8/2007 |
Q: I bought two pork shoulders at 3lbs each. They were in the car for four hours -- it was in the ...
A: Ideally, the food never goes above 41 degrees. However, it does take some time above 41 degrees for ...
|
| thawed turkey | 12/6/2007 |
Q: is it safe to let a turkey thaw for 10 days in the fridge, before cooking?
A: 10 days is probably plenty of time to thaw the turkey, as long as your refrigerator is holding at 41 ...
|
| Homemade Soup Business | 11/28/2007 |
Q: I want to start making soups and start out selling them to little delis or cafes. I live in ...
A: You might want to start with a call to your local health department, some counties maintain a list ...
|
| Coconut Milk Curry | 11/27/2007 |
Q: I need help finding out how long a vegetable curry, with coconut milk, can be kept refrigerated. ...
A: If the curry is kept at a temperature at or below 41 degrees it is considered safe. Recommendations ...
|
| homemade soup...stove to fridge time delay? | 11/7/2007 |
Q: When making soup from scratch, what is the safest way to cool it? Can it go directly into the ...
A: You will want to cool from 135 degrees to 70 in two hours or less, which will typically require the ...
|
| spaghetti sauce | 11/6/2007 |
Q: I made a big pot of homemade spaghetti sauce yesterday. Turned it off at 7pm to cook before I put ...
A: Without the added ground beef it likely would have been ok. Tomato based sauces are usually too ...
|
| homemade soup...stove to fridge time delay? | 11/5/2007 |
Q: When making soup from scratch, what is the safest way to cool it? Can it go directly into the ...
A: The safest way to cool large batches of food is to use shallow (2" or less) uncovered containers. ...
|
| food | 11/1/2007 |
Q: How long does it take to get food poisoning, from a restaurant?
A: The best answer is, "It depends". Typically 12-24 hours, however there are some pathogens that ...
|
| Overnight cooked cabbage is unsafe | 10/31/2007 |
Q: I read some articles. Do NOT eat the overnight cooked cabbage! The reason is that the overnight ...
A: If the cabbage is fully cooked, bacteria should be destroyed. Very long term storage may allow any ...
|
| chicken broth | 10/16/2007 |
Q: how many days can I keep homemade chicken broth in my refrigerator- in a plastic container half full ...
A: If the refrigerator is holding at 41 degrees or below it will remain safe to use for some time. ...
|
| Baking at home for resale | 10/10/2007 |
Q: I live in New Jersey. Is it legal to bake in my home and sell the finished product without a ...
A: In most cases, (actually I haven't come across a state yet) domestic kitchens are not approved to ...
|
| hot/cold food | 10/5/2007 |
Q: What does putting hot food into the refrigerator do to the food already in the refrigerator? Does it ...
A: Depending on how large a mass of warm food you place in the refrigerator, the affects would range ...
|
| chicken/ecoli | 10/2/2007 |
Q: I was extremely ill with blood in my stool -test results show ecoli 0157 the only thing I can link ...
A: While cattle are more commonly associated with e. coli outbreaks, chicken are also prone to carrying ...
|
| Bleaching dish cloths and towels | 9/22/2007 |
Q: I change my kitchen sponge, cloth, and towel everyday. I also use bleach when I wash them to make ...
A: Changing the towels and cloths out daily and washing them in the laundry should be enough to keep ...
|
| Cooked food left out overnight | 9/21/2007 |
Q: I've read that it's unsafe to eat cooked meats, after they've been left out at room temperature ...
A: We group foods into two broad categories to determine safety, potentially hazardous, and ...
|
| frozen fish | 9/21/2007 |
Q: After fishing trips I come home and vacuum seal what I don't eat and put it in the freezer. How long ...
A: Robert, Storage times are recommendations, and most are based on food quality. If fish (as in the ...
|
| frozen fish | 9/21/2007 |
Q: After fishing trips I come home and vacuum seal what I don't eat and put it in the freezer. How long ...
A: I wouldn't keep the fish more than 3-4 months frozen. In addition, you need to be careful with ...
|
| disposing of food waste | 9/20/2007 |
Q: I hope this doesn't gross you out to much, but here it is. We do not have a garbage disposal. Over ...
A: Your "bucket" is actually a very common thing to do. In many areas we advise people to catch food ...
|
| Pork safety after cooking | 9/19/2007 |
Q: I cooked baby back ribs ($60 worth)for company last night at 325 for one hour and 45 minutes and set ...
A: I think your ribs will still be safe, however you will need to make sure you cook them to at least ...
|
| chicken soup contamination | 9/14/2007 |
Q: I prepared several gallons of chicken soup and refrigerated it immediately like I always do. I ...
A: It's tough to know exactly what could have caused the smell from the soup, but a few options are: ...
|
| room temperature pea soup | 9/11/2007 |
Q: I left homemade pea soup with ham at room temperature over night for approximately 6 1/2 hours. ...
A: No, the soup itself, with or without ham would be considered a potentially hazardous food and should ...
|
| turkey soup | 9/7/2007 |
Q: I made home-made turkey soup from a turkey we had the night before with vegies and broth and forgot ...
A: No, the potential for bacterial growth in the 10 hours it sat at room temperature is very high. ...
|
| Refreezing meat after adding egg. | 9/5/2007 |
Q: This morning I defrosted mince meat to make meatballs. I have added onions, spices and an egg. ...
A: I can't speak much to which method would produce the "freshest" tasting product, however, if the ...
|
| galvanized aluminum and acidic foods | 9/5/2007 |
Q: I placed muscadines in a galvanized aluminum bucket for almost 24 hours until I cooked them for ...
A: Galvanized metals should not be used for the storage of moist or acidic foods. At best the food ...
|
| frozen meat | 9/4/2007 |
Q: I bought a package of por lion baby ribs, that are labled previously frzn. I did not relize this ...
A: It would be safe to assume that they were held at below 41 degrees at the grocery store. If you ...
|
| raw tuna | 8/30/2007 |
Q: I live on the Oregon coast and can buy albacore tuna off the boats. My questions are these: I read ...
A: The recommended shelf-life for refrigerated albacore is 15 days if used for sushi and 22 days if ...
|
| Salmon | 8/30/2007 |
Q: I have some frozen vacuum packed salmon fillets, but if I cook the whole fillet it will be about 2 ...
A: The recommendation on how long to save the cooked leftovers would be 1-3 days. This is mainly a ...
|
| Is my chicken still edible? | 8/29/2007 |
Q: I purchased chicken tenderloins at Wegman's approximately a week ago. I placed the chicken in the ...
A: Yes, the chicken should still be safe to eat. Some manufacturers use "Use/Freeze By" dates, some ...
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| almonds | 8/27/2007 |
Q: I discovered a package of slivered almonds in my freezer that had to have been in there at least 5 ...
A: It sounds like the "use by" date is still current, and almonds in a raw uncooked form are relatively ...
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| Microbes | 8/25/2007 |
Q: I've heard that raw foods are better because of enzymes. Obviously salmonella, trichinosis, E. ...
A: The pathogenic organisms that typically cause foodborne illness are largely associated with raw ...
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| sauerkraut | 8/24/2007 |
Q: Can you freeze sauerkraut from the bag, the portion you didn't use?
A: I can't speak for what would happen to the quality of the sauerkraut after it is thawed, but the pH ...
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| Frozen salmon left on counter | 8/23/2007 |
Q: I accidentally left some salmon steaks on the counter for 4 hours which were previously frozen and ...
A: If the salmon started out frozen and was only left out for 4 hours they will still be safe to eat. ...
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| Pork Chops | 8/23/2007 |
Q: My co-worker came to work at 5:30 a.m. it is now noon time and she left her pork chop in the car ...
A: Potentially hazardous food should not be considered safe if held above 41 degrees or below 140 ...
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| cooked cabbage | 8/23/2007 |
Q: May I leave cooked cabbage out overnight in an enamel colander without refrigeration? Thank you in ...
A: Neil, Once a fruit or vegetable has been cooked it becomes potentially hazardous, meaning without ...
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| thawed chicken overnight | 8/17/2007 |
Q: I pulled out some chicken around noon to thaw for dinner. We ended up going out and I forgot to put ...
A: Unfortunately, the safe thing to do is throw it out. Food should not be allowed to be above 41 ...
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| Deep Fryer oil | 9/27/2006 |
Q: This question has been asked, and the answer was return your deep fryer for health reason's. Yes, ...
A: It can be reused for a very long time, depending on how well you handle it after use. If it is ...
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