Food Safety
Everybody loves food, but nobody loves food-borne illnesses. Improperly handling, storing, cooking, or serving food can turn a tasty treat into a nasty nightmare. The MSU Extension Service provides the latest science-based information about food safety issues, from the right temperatures for cooking your favorite cut of meat to how long it’s safe to leave your potluck dishes out on the table.
Extension also trains our state’s food service personnel in best practices, so whenever your kids get lunch at the school cafeteria or your family dines out at a local restaurant, the employees are certified so you can enjoy your meal.
Food service personnel who work in school cafeterias, restaurants, or food-related businesses should take the ServSafe training.
Child-care center employees should take the TummySafe training.
Publications
News
While Thanksgiving is an obvious food holiday, Christmas also brings numerous opportunities to celebrate with food, and every one of these should be done with care to keep guests healthy.
Byron Williams, state food processing specialists with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said safety is always a concern any time food is prepared, but it can become a bigger issue when there are lots of leftovers.
Before you put that giant turkey in the sink, STOP! Rinsing your bird before baking won’t reduce your chances of foodborne illness.
In fact, if you rinse the turkey, you have a greater chance of getting sick because of cross-contamination.
Slow cookers are great for quick and easy meals any time of year. Winter, spring, summer, or fall, this small appliance can help you when you are too busy to cook or you need to free up oven space when you’re cooking a large meal. Check out these recipes from The Food Factor previously featured on the blog.
A Mississippi State University Extension Service food safety specialist has been selected to serve on the Executive Advisory Board of the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance.
During your outdoor outings, you'll want to take some steps to ensure your food doesn't spoil in the cooler.
Success Stories
See what's new in Extension: Gather for First Extension Beef-Production Workshop, the Food Factor Goes Digital, Extension Professionals Share Expertise, and Extension Offers New HappyHealthy Program.
