food safety

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…

May 16, 2014

How Can I Wash All the Pesticides off My Food?

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. What is the best way to wash all the pesticides off your food? The bad news: you…

Jul 17, 2012

Food-Safety Expert to Lead CALS

Meet Dr. Richard Linton, a nationally recognized food-safety expert who has been named dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Aug 3, 2011

Nullifying Norovirus

Odds are your last case of food poisoning was caused by a norovirus. NC State will use a $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to lead a national study of what makes noroviruses tick and how they make you sick.

Aug 3, 2011

NC State Gets $25 Million Grant to Nullify Norovirus

North Carolina State University will use a $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to strengthen food safety by studying human noroviruses across the food supply chain in an effort to design effective control measures and reduce the number of virus-caused food-borne illnesses. Human noroviruses…

Jul 12, 2011

Food For Thought

From peaches to green beans, summer’s bounty is here. And eager home cooks are busy canning fruits and vegetables for the months ahead. But canning is one hobby that can kill you if not done properly. NC State is making sure people do it the right way.