When it comes to food safety, the general rule is, “If in doubt, throw it out.” Never taste suspicious food. It may look and smell fine, but bacteria that cause foodborne illness may be present and could make you sick.
Food safety for Thanksgiving goes beyond the proper preparation and cooking of turkey: cross-contamination and improper preparation and storage of other foods are other common causes of food-borne illnesses during the holiday season.
Unlike most bacteria, Listeria germs can grow and spread in the refrigerator. So if you unknowingly refrigerate Listeria-contaminated food, the germs can contaminate your refrigerator and spread to other foods.
Food at fairs and other outdoor events may not have been properly cleaned, refrigerated or cooked: So take care.
The shellfish contain the bacteria Vibrio parahemolyticus, which thrives in Washington’s coastal waters in the summer, but which can be killed with cooking.
USDA says it’s safe to eat whole cuts of pork, steaks, roasts, and chops when they’ve been cooked to 145 °F and then allowed to a rest for three minutes.
Under the new Food Safety Modernization Act, companies must implement food safety plans, FDA can order recalls when problems occur, and the agency will be able to better ensure that imported foods are as safe as foods produced in the U.S., the FDA says.
Food should not be left out of the cooler or off the grill for more than two hours. Never leave food out for more than one hour when the temperature is above 90°F.
Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill — and watch out for that stuffing
According to a new survey, only one in three people know the proper temperature to cook a hamburger in order for it to be safe to eat, the Washington State Department of Health reports. (Answer: When the internal temperature reaches 160°F) “Some people think they know how to tell when burgers and other meats are [...]
Cambrooke Foods has issued an urgent recall of batches of three products: Cheddar Wizard Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese (SKU 10310; 8 oz. jar); Herb & Garlic Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese (SKU 10308; 8 oz. jar); and Plain Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese (SKU 10306; 8 oz. jar). Low Protein Peanot Butter (SKU 10809; 16 [...]
LocalHealthGuide is a health news and information web service for Seattle and the Puget Sound Region. We are independent and unaffiliated with any hospital, medical association or insurer. If you have questions or if your group has an upcoming event that you would like us to cover, please let us know by going to our "Contact Us" page and dropping us a note. -- Michael McCarthy, Editor
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Seattle Times Health News
Experts divided over recommendation to screen children for cholesterol
Some clinicians say universal screening is an important tool to help identify children who are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol and to pinpoint others who could benefit from treatment. Others express concerns that screening may do more harm than good.
People in state high-risk insurance plans often feel left behind
The federal health law set up new plans that are cheaper and more comprehensive than the older ones run by states but consumers need to go without insurance for six months to qualify.
Peeking in on your doctor’s notes
Although federal law guarantees patients the right to examine and get copies of their medical records, providers haven’t always made it easy to do so. But the movement to give patients direct access to their health information has picked up steam, and policymakers have encouraged it as a way to empower patients to help manage their health and their medical care.
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