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food safety

jelly beans

Dec 7, 2023

California, Candy and Consumers

NC State experts explain how one state’s ban on four food additives could affect consumers and food processors across the country. 

more than a dozen tamales, wrapped in corn husks, sit inside a large metal pot

Nov 27, 2023

Don’t Make Loved Ones Barf: Holiday Food Safety Tips for Tamales

Tamales are a delicious holiday staple. Here are some tips to help you avoid foodborne illness when making them. 

Dec 6, 2022

Podcast: Fruitcake and Eggnog

Ellen Shumaker debunks myths about two storied holiday foods. 

a slice of pumpkin pie sits on a white plate on a wooden table

Oct 5, 2022

Do I Need to Refrigerate Pumpkin Pie? Food Safety Info for Pumpkin Season

October is pumpkin season, which raises questions about food safety for everything from pumpkin pie to pumpkin seeds. 

hands wearing blue latex gloves are spraying a counter and wiping it with a paper towel

Sep 12, 2022

Some Commercial Sanitizers May Not Work as Well Against Norovirus as Originally Thought

Of four sanitizers studied, three had little effect on human norovirus. 

close up of peanut butter

Jun 6, 2022

Podcast: Peanut Butter and Salmonella

Does Salmonella really just love peanut butter? Food safety expert Ellen Shumaker joins us again to talk about the recent recall. 

raw chicken thighs on a cutting board

Apr 4, 2022

In Food Safety Study, 25% of Participants Contaminated Salad with Raw Chicken

The study highlights the importance of hand-washing and cleaning and sanitizing the kitchen. 

white-tailed deer standing in a field near the woods

Dec 2, 2021

Deer Can Catch COVID. Here’s What Hunters Should Know.

There are simple things hunters can do to reduce their risk of contracting COVID-19 from deer. 

a roast turkey rests on a kitchen counter

Nov 19, 2021

Don’t Want Foodborne Illness? Don’t Wash That Poultry

Washing raw turkey or other poultry before roasting can lead to cross-contamination and foodborne illness. 

Halloween Foods

Oct 26, 2021

Trick-or-Treating Food Safety Tips

With the COVID-19 pandemic still lingering, Ellen Shumaker, extension associate and Director of Outreach for Safe Plates at NC State University, sat down with The Abstract to discuss what trick-or-treating may look like this year and which foods to steer clear of. When trick-or-treating this year, “it’s really up to each person to decide their level… 

Halloween Foods

Oct 25, 2021

Podcast: Halloween and Fall Food Safety

Ellen Shumaker talks about fall food safety - from trick-or-treating to fairs, fire pits and fall potlucks. 

pipette in a lab

Apr 8, 2020

What We Know – And Don’t Know – About Food Safety and COVID-19

What do we know about food and COVID-19? How do we know it? We have answers. 

two bottles of infused oil

Dec 4, 2019

How to Infuse Oils, Vinegars, Liquor or Honey (Without Making People Barf)

Food safety tips for making hand-crafted gifts of infused oils, etc. 

a roasted turkey on a table

Nov 22, 2019

Expert Tips for Thanksgiving Food Safety

Our food-safety expert shares research-based tips for how to buy, thaw, prep and cook your Thanksgiving feast so everyone stays happy and healthy. 

champagne being poured into the Stanley Cup

May 28, 2019

Could The Stanley Cup Spread Disease?

Does eating or drinking from the Stanley Cup pose a public health risk? Let's ask an expert on foodborne illness and cross-contamination.