food safety

Nov 22, 2016

Cooking Stuffing This Holiday? Here’s a Simple Way to Help Ward Off Foodborne Illness

Some food safety tips to help you avoid making loved ones sick this holiday season — because nothing ruins a get-together like projectile vomiting. 

Nov 2, 2015

Scientists Evaluate Food Safety Practices to Help Support Nonprofit Food Pantries

Researchers have done an in-depth analysis of food safety at nonprofit food pantries to determine how food safety experts can help these pantries best meet the needs of their clients. 

May 1, 2015

Study Finds Guidance Improves Food Safety Practices at School, Community Gardens

School and community gardens have become increasingly popular in recent years, but the people managing and working in these gardens are often unfamiliar with food safety practices that reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Now researchers have developed guidelines that address how to limit risk in these gardens – and a pilot study shows that the guidelines make a difference. 

Apr 13, 2015

Foodborne Illness: Consumer Costs, Consequences and Choices

Changes to our food system have increased the availability and variety of foods for U.S. consumers, but these changes have also introduced food safety challenges that can have significant impacts on human health and the economy. 

Apr 7, 2015

Seafood Safety 101: Vibrio in Shellfish

Seafood consumption is on the rise -- but so is the most important pathogen found in seafood: Vibrio bacteria. 

Apr 1, 2015

When a Norovirus Expert Got Norovirus

Norovirus affects millions of people each year, costing the U.S. billions of dollars. This year, one of those people was a norovirus researcher. 

Mar 31, 2015

Food Safety 101: What Is Campylobacter (and What Are We Doing About It)?

Researcher Hannah Bolinger explains what campylobacteriosis is, why it's important, and what researchers are doing to tackle the problem. 

Mar 30, 2015

Listeriosis and Produce: What’s the Connection?

How NC State researchers are trying to understand and address the health risks associated with listeriosis and fresh produce. 

Mar 10, 2015

Why Everyone Should Care About Food Safety

Food safety poses a global health problem. But it also causes millions of illnesses in the U.S. every year -- costing the country more than $14 billion annually. 

Dec 15, 2014

If Eggnog Has Eggs in it, Why Is it Safe to Drink?

Eggnog is a holiday treat, but it contains — surprise! — eggs. So how come it’s okay for us to drink it? Here are a few questions and answers about eggnog and food safety. 

Dec 5, 2014

Fruitcake – Will it Last Forever?

The USDA says a fruitcake will last two to three months in the refrigerator without spoiling. But how long will it really last? We asked a scientist. 

Oct 24, 2014

Trick or Treat or Barf: Researchers Use Social Media to Raise Awareness of Norovirus Season

NC State researchers are trying to raise awareness of norovirus safety through a novel (and cute) social media campaign. 

Sep 23, 2014

Fast Facts About Cutting Boards and Food Safety in Your Kitchen

Anything that touches your food can be a source of contamination and foodborne illness – including cutting boards. Learn what you can do to limit the risk of foodborne illness. 

Sep 8, 2014

Helping Keep School Lunches Safe

Editor’s note: This is a guest post by Ellen Thomas, a Ph.D candidate in NC State’s Department of Food Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences. This post also appears on the food safety blog barfblog.com. In 2006, an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with bagged spinach resulted in 205 illnesses and three deaths. Investigators cited many factors, including… 

Jun 6, 2014

What’s the Best Way to Wash Microbes off Your Produce?

Note: This post is part of an ongoing series in which we try to answer questions about the science behind food – from farm to fork. If you have a food-related question, please let me know at matt_shipman@ncsu.edu. Short version: You can use water to wash off your fruits and veggies – but it may…