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
Do you know how to preserve your food if the power goes out? (Photo by Canva Pro)
Mississippians know how unpredictable the weather can be. One day it’s sunny, and the next there is severe weather in the forecast.
Are you canning some of your summer garden harvest this year? If so, be sure to follow scientifically tested recipes and methods to ensure a safe product.
Some canning mistakes can be deadly if your products are contaminated by the botulinum toxin, which causes botulism poisoning. You cannot see, smell, or taste this toxin, but the tiniest taste of contaminated food can kill you. You want to avoid these 10 major canninng mistakes.
RAYMOND, Miss. -- A Mississippi State University food safety specialist has been named to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection. Byron Williams, an associate Extension professor of food science specializing in muscle foods processing, regulations and safety, was recently appointed by USDA Secretary Thomas Vilsack. Williams is also a member of the MSU Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The Mississippi Board of Animal Health is asking backyard bird owners to be vigilant in their biosecurity procedures after a commercial breeder chicken flock in Lawrence County tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI.
When planning your charcuterie board, keep food safety in mind! (Photo by Canva)
Charcuterie boards are all the craze right now, and rightfully so! They’re fun to make and delicious to snack on. With the holidays coming up, they’re sure to be the talk of the party!
Success Stories
Meat processors maintain compliance through Extension training, assistance
Enslin & Son Packing Co. in Hattiesburg features a variety of traditional and specialty sausages and smoked meats.
Four Extension experts named fellows in their disciplines
Four well-respected Mississippi State University Extension Service experts were recently named fellows in prestigious academic and service organizations.
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.
