Wash Water Chlorine Disinfection: Best Practices to Ensure On-Farm Food Safety

Washing fresh produce with potable water treated with a sanitizing agent can reduce microorganisms and pathogens that may be on the surface of the produce.

Crafting Ready to Eat Shrimp

The shrimp product is convenient, has no preservatives, reduces waste and provides more sustainable food choices.

Dr. Louise Wicker

Dr. Wicker’s technical background as a food chemist propelled her to take a more holistic view of food science, nutrition, packaging and barriers

National Nutrition Month-March 2019

Celebrate National Nutrition Month with healthy tips and recommendations including food safety, videos and blog resources.

​Tips to Succeed in Your New Year-Happy 2019!

Learn tips on how to start and continue healthy lifestyle goals.

Making Catch the Rainbow Fruit Salad

This recipe is very nutritious and delicious and helps with prevention of diseases.

Pecan Safety: Hot Water Conditioning to Mitigate Microbial Hazards

Hot water conditioning can be regarded as a potential kill-step to minimize food safety risk associated with pecan.

Food Safety and You - Pack a Safe and Healthy Picnic

Fact sheet series regarding food safety information.

Food Safety and You: Potluck Safety

Practice food safety on the parade route

(01/18/18) Wenqing Xu, LSU AgCenter food safety specialist, said following food safety practices can help to ensure you have an enjoyable carnival season.

Salmon Patties Recipe VIDEO

Learn to make Salmon Patties with 6 ingredients. This recipe features a low fat protein with 110 Calories & 12 grams of protein per serving.

Food Safety and You — Tailgating

Keep food safe during taigating events.

Food Safety and You: Safe Food Handling for Disaster Relief Volunteers

Keep food safe after natural disasters.

MY PLATE & The Dietary Guidelines

This article describes the 5 groups from the MY PLATE: Fruits, Vegetables, Protein, Grains & Dairy/Calcium rich foods. A recipe for the MY PLATE WRAP is given.

Food Safety and You: Choose the Thermometer That is Right For You

One of the critical factors to control harmful bacteria in food is controlling temperature.

Make Family Memories Around the Meal Table

Meal time with the family can create a time for bonding and keeping in touch with what is going on with the family now that a new school year is here.

Food Safety and You: For Moms-To-Be

During pregnancy, your immune system is altered, which makes it harder for your body to fight off certain harmful foodborne pathogens.

Las mejores practicas para garantizer la inocuidad de lost alimentos en granjas

Las mejores practicas para garantizer la inocuidad de lost alimentos en granjas.

Are crops grown on land that has a history of flooding?

If your land is prone to flooding, consider the risk present to the crop and water sources.

Benefits of Eating Fish and Shellfish

Fish and shellfish have been on restaurant menus for years. Now consumers are including more seafood on their menus at home.

Have workers been informed not to come to work if they are sick?

If you are the only worker on your farm, you must understand the risks

Make sure you know which practices to follow even if you don't hire any workers.

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN!

This Vegetable Santa Claus will bring smiles to young and old and provide a serving of vegetables, also. This recipe is simple to construct and

Something to Gobble About

Serving a Vegetable Platter that looks like a turkey is a delicious, nutritious way to incorporate more vegetables into your Thanksgiving feast.

Food and Water Safety after Flooding

When you return to your home, make sure you assess all food and food preparation areas and equipment carefully.

Food Safety and You: Microbial Safety of Fresh Produce in Home Gardens After Flooding

Floodwaters commonly contain microbial contaminants and can directly affect public health.

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End of Worker Health, Hygiene and Training Decision Tree

Records should be kept for all toilet and hand washing facility monitoring

All health and hygiene facilities maintenance should be recorded.

Are records kept to maintain food safety resources?

Records should be kept for all toilet and hand washing facility monitoring, cleaning and restocking.

Facilities must be cleaned on a regular schedule

Facilities should be checked daily for cleanliness and supplies.

Is the toilet cleaned and restocked when necessary?

Facilities must be cleaned and restocked on a regular basis.

All workers and visitors must have access to clean toilets

Clean and conveniently located toilets and hand washing facilities are required.

Are there clean toilet and hand washing facilities for workers and visitors?

Clean toilet and hand washing facilities for workers and visitors should be within a 5 minute or 1/4 mile walk of the fields.

Visitors should be asked to sign in

Visitors should acknowledge they have read the farm food safety policies.

Are visitors asked to sign in and read your visitor policy?

Visitors should be asked to sign in and read the farm food safety policies.

Worker training is very important for food safety

Records of all training programs should be kept.

Are records kept of worker training?

Worker training is very important for food safety.

An effective worker training program should be reinforced daily

Signs should be posted in a language workers understand or with pictures that describe the appropriate actions.

Are there signs reminding workers to follow the farms food safety practices?

Signs should be displayed to remind workers to follow the farm's food safety practices.

Have workers been informed of the farms food safety policies?

Workers are responsible for implementing food safety policies

Eating or smoking should not be allowed in production areas

Workers must wash their hands before handling produce.

Are workers instructed to only take breaks in designated areas?

Workers should have designated areas to take breaks

A first aid kit should be stocked and available to all workers and visitors

Workers and visitors should have access to a first aid kit in the event of a cut or other injury

Is a first aid kit available?

A first aid kit must be available in a known and convenient location

People who are ill can contaminate produce

Every farm should have an illness reporting policy

A worker education and training program explains and reduces microbial risks

Understanding microbial risks associated with farm work and implementing practices that reduce these risks are essential to produce safety

Have all workers received training in areas important to produce safety?

Workers must receive safety training in a language they understand.

Worker Health, Hygiene and Training

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Finished

Final page of the Land Use Decision Tree

Composted manure is at a much lower risk

Composted manure is at a much lower risk for contaminating crop and water sources than raw manure

Are properly composted piles stored away from water sources?

Store compost as far away as possible from water sources and produce fields.

Raw manure storage areas near surface water can result in water contamination

Raw manure storage areas should be at a safe distance away from surface water sources

Is raw untreated manure located near surface water sources?

Raw manure storage areas near surface water can result in water contamination, either by runoff or through leaching.

Manure storage areas can leach pathogens into the soil, wells and other water sources

There are several factors to consider when assessing your fields risk of contamination when there are manure storage areas nearby

Is raw untreated manure located within 200 feet of well heads?

Manure storage areas can leach pathogens into the soil, wells, and other water sources.

Food Safety and You: Listeriosis

Listeriosis is a rare but serious illness caused by eating food contaminated with the bacteria. About 1,600 people in the United States get sick from listeria each year. It is the third leading cause of death from food poisoning. (PDF Format Only)

Food Safety and You: Foodborne Botulism

Foodborne botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by eating foods that contain neurotoxins produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. The botulinum toxin can affect the central nervous system and cause muscle weakness, paralysis and even death.

Food Safety and You: The Dangers of Raw Milk

Some people continue to believe that raw milk is a natural food and therefor is healthier and safer than pasteurized milk.

If manure is close to production areas, there is a risk of contamination

When assessing your farm's risk of contamination, there are many factors to consider

Is raw untreated manure located within 400 feet of produce?

If manure is close to production areas, there is a risk that it will contaminate produce by runoff or wind spread.

Domestic animals on adjacent land present a food safety risk

When assessing risks to your farm, some factors to consider are whether physical barriers are present

Are grazing lands and domestic animals located within 30 feet of produce fields?

Domestic animals on adjacent land present a food safety risk.

Large scale animal operations are a significant food safety risk

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) have a high concentration of animals that may shed pathogens in their manure

Are produce fields located within 1 mile of an animal operation or feedlot?

Large scale animal operations are a significant food safety risk.

Underground septic systems can leach chemicals and pathogens into soil and water

Produce fields should not be located within 30 feet of septic tanks

Are produce fields located within 30 feet of a septic system?

Underground septic systems can leach chemicals and pathogens into soil and water.

Chemicals and pathogens may leach from landfill and sewage areas

Assess the likelihood of contamination if a field is located near a landfill or treatment facility

Are produce fields located near sewage treatment facilities or landfills?

Chemicals and pathogens may leach from landfill and sewage areas to contaminate crops.