How can I clean my hands when water is not available, such as when traveling or picnicking away from home?
You can use disposable wipes or a hand gel sanitizer. You use the gel without water. The alcohol in the gel kills the germs on your hands. You can find disposable wipes and hand gel sanitizers in most supermarkets and drugstores.
How long can leftover food be left out of the refrigerator?
Hot foods should be refrigerated as soon as possible within two hours after cooking. But don't keep the food if it's been standing out for more than two hours. Don't taste test it, either. Even a small amount of contaminated food can cause illness. ( I don't know anyone that does so! )
Date leftovers so they can be used within a safe time. Generally, they remain safe when refrigerated for three to five days. If in doubt, throw it out, "It's not worth a food-borne illness for the small amount of food usually involved."
How can you figure out if the fish is fresh?
1-The fish's eyes should be clear and bulge a little.
2-Whole fish and fillets should have firm and shiny flesh. Dull flesh may mean the fish is old. Fresh whole fish also should have bright red gills free from slime.
3-If the flesh doesn't spring back when pressed, the fish isn't fresh.
4-There should be no darkening around the edges of the fish or brown or yellowish discoloration.
5-The fish should smell fresh and mild, not fishy or ammonia-like.
Is it safe to eat sushi, the Japanese raw fish specialty?
People in the at-risk groups should not eat raw or undercooked fish or shellfish. People with liver disorders or weakened immune systems are especially at risk for getting sick. Foods made with raw fish are more likely to contain parasites or Vibrio species than foods made from cooked fish. Always cook finfish until its muscle is opaque and flaky.
What do consumers need to know about juice safety?
When fruits and vegetables are made into fresh-squeezed juice, harmful bacteria that may be present can become part of the finished product. Most juice in the United States, 98 percent, is pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria.
The remaining two percent of juice sold is unpasteurized. Unpasteurized juice may contain harmful bacteria that make some people sick.
To help consumers identify unpasteurized juice and cider, the Food and Drug Administration is requiring a warning on these products.
Why is "WARNING" information needed now? Recent serious outbreaks of foodborne illness have been traced to the drinking of unpasteurized juices. The warning information is to help consumers decide whether to buy unpasteurized juice.
Unpasteurized Juice is normally found in the refrigerated sections of grocery or health food stores or at cider mills or farm markets. Unpasteurized juice should have warning information on the label or on a nearby sign.
