On the topic of keeping frozen food safe: do you know about the penny test? Summer is the time for storms, from thunderstorms to hurricanes. And that usually means power outages. While most outages are over within an hour or two, some can go on for a long time. And, especially if you are away from home for a long period of time, such as on vacation, how do you know if the food in your freezer stayed frozen and safe? The University of California has the solution from preservation notes from San Joaquin Master Food Preservers: the penny. There are different ways that food thawing in the freezer can affect it: one effect is quality, the other is safety. If food is thawed just a bit, then refreezes, it can develop freezer burn. That will not affect the safety of the food, but the … [Read more...]
Hood Canal Paralytic Shellfish Poison at Lethal Levels in WA
The Hood Canal paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) is at lethal levels in Washington state, according to a July 2, 2026 notice posted by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). Paralytic shellfish poison is produced by some species of algae. This biotoxin can paralyze muscles. Shellfish, which are filter feeders, eat the algae and can retain the toxin. High levels of PSP can cause severe illness and death, which can occur in less than 30 minutes. Symptoms of PSP including tingling in the fingers and toes, loss of control of arms and legs, difficulty breathing, nausea, and a sense of floating. The muscles of the chest and abdomen can be paralyzed, and the person can suffocate. All recreational shellfish harvesting remains closed in Hood Canal from Foulweather Bluff and Port … [Read more...]
Keep Your 250th American Birthday Celebration Safe With Tips
Keep your 250th American birthday celebration safe this July 4th with tips from the USDA. Grilling and eating outdoors pose special challenges for food safety, especially when the weather is hot. Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears said in a statement, "The summer heat increases food safety risks, but simple steps can prevent foodborne illness from outdoor gatherings. Keeping perishables in coolers or insulated containers, following a two-hour rule (or one hour when temperatures are above 90 F), and grilling meats to safe internal temperatures are easy ways to protect friends and family from harmful bacteria as we all celebrate America’s 250th birthday." When you marinate meat, always keep it in the fridge, never on the counter. And if you want to use the marinade … [Read more...]
Risks Of Consuming Toxins in Fish and Shellfish Highlighted
The risks of consuming toxins in fish and shellfish are highlighted in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly report for the week of June 18, 2026. The research covers reports over the last 23 years. During that time, there were 1,280 illnesses, 96 hospitalizations, and one death attributed to the toxins. Data from the CDC's Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System (FDOSS) from 2011 to 2023 was collected and analyzed. Foodborne illness outbreaks caused by marine toxins have been voluntarily reported to the FDOSS since 2009. Marine toxins cause most of the outbreaks in these types of food every year. The report states, "Marine toxins that cause foodborne illness are tasteless, odorless, resistant to cooking or freezing, and can produce a complex variety of … [Read more...]
Got Well Water? Learn How to Test It To Stay Healthy
Got well water? Learn how to test it to stay healthy. Most people don't think about water when they think about food safety. But water can be contaminated just like food can. And if well water supplies your household with its drinking water, you should be extra careful, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Center. The Extension Service states that annual testing and then treating the water is the only way to make sure that the water your family is drinking is safe. Because water is a solvent, it can dissolve just about any substance, including contaminants that can be harmful. And to make things worse, most of those contaminants are tasteless, odorless, and colorless. In other words, you won't be able to tell if there's a problem with your water just by … [Read more...]
Paralytic Shellfish Poison Detected in Hood Canal, Washington
Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) has been detected at dangerous levels in Hood Canal, Washington. Lab testing detected lethal levels of the poison in shellfish samples that were collected near Union, as well as high levels in surrounding areas. PSP is a naturally occurring marine toxin that is produced by a specific algae. Since shellfish are filter feeders, they accumulate the toxin as they eat. The shellfish does not show any visible signs of contamination. You can't detect PSP through smell, sight, taste, or texture of the food. Cooking, freezing, or cleaning shellfish does not remove or destroy the toxin. All recreational shellfish harvesting is closed in Hood Canal from Foulweather Bluff and Port Ludlo Bay south, including Port Gamble Bay, Quilcene Bay, Dabob Bay, and Mats … [Read more...]
Memorial Day Weekend Food Safety Reminders
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is offering Memorial Day weekend food safety reminders to help keep you safe. This weekend is traditionally the start of the picnic and barbecue season, although the holiday itself is solemn. First, remember to always wash your hands before preparing food, before eating, and before packing food for your picnic or barbecue. If water isn't available, use disposable handwipes or hand sanitizer that contains alcohol, then dry your hands with a clean paper towel. When packing your cooler, be sure to keep raw meats away from foods that are eaten without any more cooking, such as salads, fresh veggies and fruits, condiments, and beverages. And it's a good idea to pack beverages in a separate cooler from perishable … [Read more...]
How Do You Know Your Infant Has Cereulide Poisoning?
How do you know your infant has cereulide poisoning? This toxin is produced by some strains of the bacteria Bacillus cereus. This pathogen is found in soil and dust, and can contaminate foods like pasta, rice, and dairy products. When the bacteria grow, they produce the toxin. Cereulide is very heat stable, meaning that it's almost impossible to deactivate or destroy it by cooking, using boiling water, or preparing infant formula. Even properly prepared infant formula can still have the toxin and make babies sick. And the toxin is not destroyed by freezing. Symptoms of cereulide poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain and cramps. Infants may express their distress by persistent crying and refusal to eat. These symptoms usually appear within 30 minutes to a … [Read more...]
FDA Warns Against Eating Gomez Shellfish Because of Norovirus
The FDA is warning restaurants and food retailers against selling, serving, or eating Gomez Shellfish raw oysters and clams that were harvested from March 22 through April 9, 2026 in Washington state because of possible norovirus contamination. The shellfish were harvested from a portion of Hammersley Inlet in that state. They were sold to restaurants and retailers in the states of California, Oregon, Texas, and Washington and may have been distributed to other states. Gomez Shellfish LLC has the number WA-1724-SS. Shellfish that is contaminated with norovirus can cause illness when eaten. While most people recover quickly from norovirus, some, especially the elderly and very young and those with compromised immune systems, can become seriously ill. Norovirus does not change the … [Read more...]
Maricopa County Fair Excludes Petting Zoo After E. coli Outbreak
Maricopa County Fair is excluding a petting zoo among its attractions this year after a 2025 E. coli outbreak that sickened at least 18 people, including 13 children, was associated with the zoo, according to Arizona Central. Pony rides are also being excluded. Executive director Karen Searle told The Arizona Republic in a statement, "Out of an abundance of caution and in response to public concern, the Maricopa County Fair has made the decision that while there will be plenty of livestock exhibits and displays this year, there will be no direct public animal contact." Fair goers won't be allowed to touch the animals, but bacteria can get onto fence posts and gates, surrounding materials like hay, and even become airborne. There is no word on whether or not this ban will be … [Read more...]
