Food Safety Myths - Separating Truth from Myth

FSM 274: Separating Truth from Myth: Wash Ready-to-Eat, Prewashed Lettuce at Home

Episode Transcription From Washington State University Extension, this is Food Safety in a Minute. Truth or myth: You should wash ready-to-eat lettuce and leafy greens before eating. This is a myth. According to the Washington State Department of Health, these products are safe to eat. Produced in an inspected facility following Good Manufacturing Practices, sealed […]

FSM 273: Separating Truth from Myth: It’s Safe to Reheat Food Left Out for Over Two Hours

Episode Transcription Welcome to Food Safety in a Minute. Is it true prepared food left out for more than two hours may be reheated and safe to eat? According to the USDA, no. People falsely believe reheating food always makes it safe to eat. Given emphasis of reducing consumer food waste, it may be tempting […]

FSM 272: Separating Truth from Myth: Local and Organic Food is Always Safe

Episode Transcription From Washington State University Extension, I’m Susie Craig. Do you believe locally produced organic food is always safe, that it will not cause foodborne illness? This is a myth. There are great reasons to support locally produced food and to choose a diet of organic foods. However, when it comes to food safety […]

FSM 271: Separating Truth from Myth: It’s Safe Leaving Food on the Counter During Super Bowl Party

Episode Transcription From Washington State University Extension, this is Food Safety in a Minute. Is it safe to leave food on the countertop for our Super Bowl Party? Unless the Super Bowl game is over in less than two hours, this is not a safe food safety practice. According to the USDA Food Safety and […]

FSM 270: Separating Truth from Myth: Vegetarians Don’t Need to Worry About Foodborne Illness

Episode Transcription This is Susie Criag for Food Safety in a Minute Truth or myth? I’m a vegetarian and I don’t need to be concerned about foodborne illness. This is a myth. Fruits and vegetables farmed organically or using conventional methods carry a risk of foodborne illness. Fresh produce needs to be rinsed under running […]

FSM 269: Separating Truth from Myth: The Five-Second Rule for Dropping Food

Episode Transcription This is Food Safety in a Minute, I’m Susie Craig. Truth or Myth: Food dropped on the floor is it safe to eat if it’s picked up in less than five seconds? Donald Schaffner, a food scientist at Rutgers University evaluated bacteria transfer rates from dropped food on stainless steel, tile, wood, and […]

FSM 268: Separating Truth from Myth: Does Freezing Kill Harmful Bacteria in Food?

Episode Transcription From Washington State University Extension, welcome to Food Safety in a Minute. Does freezing food kill harmful microbes? No. This is a common misconception, a food safety myth. Home freezers at zero degrees F temporarily inactivate microbes, bacteria, yeast, and mold. Once you thaw food, however, it is potentially hazardous where bacteria may […]

FSM 267: Separating Truth from Myth: Is Food Safe to Eat if it Looks Smells and Feels OK?

Episode Transcription I’m Susie Criag, welcome to Food Safety in a Minute Is it safe to eat food that looks, smells, and feels OK? No, though it is widely believed as a “truth” about food in our homes. This myth is especially concerning this year as it is often linked with national emphasis on consumer […]

FSM 266: Separating Truth from Myth: Why Do Food Safety Myths Persist?

Episode Transcription From Washington State University Extension, this is Food Safety in a Minute. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year 48 million Americans experience foodborne illness. Some of us are hospitalized, some die. Food safety practices are simple, based on science, and reduce foodborne illness. Yet, during food handing, consumers […]