#food-safety

#food-safety

That preservative is borax (also known as E285, sodium tetraborate) - yes, the same compound that can clean your sink or boost laundry detergent. A close cousin, boric acid (E286), sometimes substitutes for it. Caviar makers prize both because they're remarkably effective: they fight bacteria, firm up the delicate roe, and even mellow out that sharp "fishy" taste.

Copper molds are a vintage baking tool that people don't use much anymore. They were regularly used during the Victorian era to make decorative, molded dishes like puddings, cakes, and breads. They were typically handmade by artisans and very ornate, molded into delightful shapes like fish, flowers, birds, rabbits, and fruit. However, handmade copper molds fell out of favor after World War I, as the materials weren't readily available and many of the craftsmen capable of making them had retired.

For all that festive fun, though, nothing is sadder than opening your cooler to find the beer squashed the sandwiches or the cooler's contents have basically become one smushed up, soggy mess. Luckily, there's a better way: By using cutting boards as makeshift shelves, you can keep your cooler tidy, its contents smash-free, and you can even help create layers for optimal cooling. This is one of the smartest ways to keep those picnic foods organized and in peak condition.

According to the USDA, once eggs are cooked, they should not sit at room temperature for more than two hours. If the day is especially hot - 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher - that window shrinks to just one hour. After that, the risk of bacterial growth, including Salmonella (eggs are one of the most common causes of Salmonella infections), climbs quickly.

Sliminess on produce is a classic sign of spoilage bacteria. These bacteria break down the plant's structure, often feeding on excess moisture that builds up inside packaging or after washing. According to the USDA, spoilage bacteria aren't generally harmful to ingest in small amounts, but they make food look, smell, and taste strange. In other words, the slimy texture isn't necessarily unsafe, but it means your produce is well past its prime.

It's summertime which means a lot of our favorite produce is in season. When it comes to cleaning your fresh fruit, there are so many methods, oftentimes conflicting with one another. There's the vinegar and water method, the vinegar and baking soda and water method, and even specialty products sold specifically for washing fruits and vegetables. But which one is the best?

The J.M. Smucker Company has issued a market withdrawal on several varieties of Ding Dong snack cakes due to a potential for mold in the product prior to the expiration date. The company explained in a withdrawal notice - sent to retailers of the product - that the issue came down to a single malfunctioning piece of equipment that was quickly caught and remedied.

"When using [a] pumice stone [to] clean grills, they're typically used wet, which makes cleaning the grill easier to handle," Shoults says. "Pumice stones are preferred over wired brushes because they are more natural than wire brushes and don't have harmful chemicals, or bristles, like some wire brushes. Pumice is great for not just cleaning grills, but also for cleaning cast iron, stainless steel, and porcelain products."

Various fruits and vegetables have been prohibited from entering the U.S. at different times, typically in an attempt to keep pests and diseases from entering the nation's agricultural system. Presently, even cooked products like bologna and ham from Mexico are restricted due to the potential of harboring diseases like classical swine fever. This does not prevent the import of Mexican pork products into the U.S., but the law requires that these products be accompanied by veterinary documentation showing them to be disease free - not the sort of thing that someone with a trunk full of bologna is likely to have on hand.

According to a press release from the Food and Drug Administration, a shipment of frozen shrimp from BMS Foods, an Indonesian supplier, tested positive at customs for Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope.

Broccoli sprouts are currently popular for their sulforaphane content, which is thought to provide health benefits. However, their growing conditions can also invite harmful bacteria, like E. coli and salmonella.

Kellogg Co. will remove artificial dyes from cereals by the end of 2027, following pressure from government and consumers to eliminate synthetic colorings.

A follow-up investigation by the Associated Press found that, though the USDA recommended improvements, the cleanliness and safety conditions at Boar's Head remain a concern, suggesting ongoing issues with food safety compliance.

The deterioration took its toll. The morale of the whole store was basically terrible. When he started, people rarely talked about leaving.

Vintage dishware may look appealing, but many items may contain toxic materials that are not food safe. Display items are safer than using them for food.

An opened jar of jam that's stored in the fridge is usually safe to eat for about six months, but its quality deteriorates over time.

Recent inspections at Boar's Head plants revealed sanitation issues similar to those linked to the 2022 listeria outbreak that caused 10 deaths and numerous illnesses.

Chipotle's food safety crisis in 2015 demonstrated that the commitment to quality can create vulnerabilities in maintaining high-integrity supply chains at scale.