Our Blog

What Happens During a Foodborne Illness Outbreak and What Should You Do If You Get Sick?

Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls | May 3, 2025

A foodborne illness outbreak involves two or more people getting sick from the same contaminated food or drink. But how do investigators figure out that sick people are linked to an outbreak? How is a specific source identified? It is… read more

Can I Get E. coli from Fish Caught in Contaminated Water?

E. coli,Our Blog | May 2, 2025

Can you get E. coli from fish caught from contaminated water? That’s a good question, right. Regulatory agencies in most jurisdictions keep tabs on coliforms and contaminants in waters used for fishing. But what about ponds and lakes in unregulated… read more

WHO Publishes Documents on Drinking Water Germs

Food Policy,Our Blog | May 1, 2025

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published a series of background documents for drinking water germs. Germs like Campylobacter, E. coli, hepatitis A virus, Shigella Toxoplasma gondii, Salmonella, Vibrio, Yersenia and others. These documents were published to assist potential revisions… read more

Are Rain Barrels Safe to Use for Gardening

Our Blog | April 24, 2025

Are rain barrels safe to use for gardening? Today, we take a look at the risks versus the rewards and how you can keep your garden happy and thriving. Health risks Even when rainwater looks clean, it can contain germs… read more

Most Cases of Salmonella Infections Come from Chicken and Vegetables, A New Study Finds. But Don’t Throw Out the Chicken Soup Just Yet!

Our Blog | April 23, 2025

A recent study cites chicken and vegetables as the most common source of Salmonella infections in the United States. The study also explores the reason most illnesses are not connected to known outbreaks. They blame outdated analytical methods. Whole genome… read more

As Rates of Foodborne Illnesses Increased in the United States, Some States Are Higher Risk for Outbreaks Based on Several Factors

Food Safety,Our Blog | April 22, 2025

Rates of foodborne illnesses increased from previous years’ statistics. Some states are higher risk for outbreaks and that is a serious cause for concern. While there is some argument that advancements in technology and communication have increased the awareness of… read more

Safely Starting Seeds

Our Blog | April 20, 2025

With gardening being on the minds of so many people across the United States it is so important to know the process of safely starting seeds. Everyone to some degree wants to be self-sufficient. I know that growing up right… read more

Plant Fertilizer & Food Poisoning

Our Blog | April 19, 2025

Many people are learning to garden for the first time in our lives upon the recent resurgence of self-sufficient living. Gardening comes in so many forms from pots lining a patio to raised beds and even tilling up the earth… read more

Can You Get Food Poisoning from Bananas?

Food Safety,Our Blog | April 7, 2025

Can you get food poisoning from bananas? The short and reassuring answer is **yes**. Although Bananas are a low-acid fruit and they rarely harbor harmful pathogens such as Salmonella or E. coli, which can cause severe foodborne illnesses, all food… read more

The Healthiest Time of Day to Drink Coffee

Our Blog | April 4, 2025

Most people I know love a good cup of coffee but did you know that it is healthier to drink it at certain times of the day as opposed to others? I personally love a good cup first thing in… read more