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At one point or another, we have all debated eating or throwing away a food product after the date on its label has passed. But do we need to throw away food as soon as the date on the label arrives? Oftentimes you will see the phrases “Best if used by,” “Sell by” and “Use […]
Practicing food safety keeps us healthy and lets us enjoy the foods we eat. Food safety guidelines include washing hands, cleaning surfaces that come in contact with raw foods, cooking foods to high enough temperatures, and storing foods properly. Temperature is very important during cooking, and also for food storage. Harmful bacteria that cause illness […]
Have you ever wondered if it is safe to eat yogurt past its best by date or thaw poultry at room temperature? Maybe you are unsure if you can eat those roasted vegetables you left on the counter overnight or if you can store butter at room temperature. For all of your food safety related […]
Cooking during the pandemic definitely changed how we use the freezer. These 5 tips have been helpful to reduce food waste, reduce meal prep time, and help us use our freezer more effectively. Freezing Food is about Preserving the Quality of the Food Oftentimes you will see the phrases “Best if used by,” “Sell by” […]
Whether we are cooking for a crowd, our household or ourselves this holiday season and beyond, we are bound to generate leftovers at some point. Just like washing your hands is an easy way to prevent foodborne illness while cooking, there are steps we can follow while storing leftovers to stay healthy and continue enjoying […]
Do you have a food thermometer stashed in your kitchen but are unsure how and why you should put it to use? If you cook meat regularly, using a food thermometer is a game-changer and can mean the difference between just cooked and overdone or tough meat. The only accurate way to determine if food […]
For a lot of people, summer means cookouts and BBQs! So, how do you plan to balance Eating Smart and Moving More this summer at events? Here are a few tips, recipes, and links to help you game plan for summer fun and enjoy yourself while continuing your success and staying safe. Get Competitive Trade […]
As the weather warms up, I think about the nights I spend grilling with my family. Though we grill year-round, the food seems to taste just a little bit better on warm, summer evenings. With summer approaching, it is a great time to brush up on safe food preparation and cooking methods to avoid foodborne […]
North Carolina has a Winter Storm Warning for the next two days with power outages likely due to ice. Our colleagues on the Safe Plates team have several resources to help you prepare for power outages and keep your food safe. Check out this video from Dr. Ben Chapman, NC State Extension food safety specialist, […]
Our colleagues at the NC Safe Plates team have prepared a Food Gifts Fact Sheet with tips to gift food safely this holiday season! Homemade food gifts are common around the holidays. Many options, such as homemade spicemixes, baking mixes and breads have minimal food safety risks. Items such as home canned ordried foods, infused […]