USDA FoodKeeper App - A Tool You Must Use!

I have not been compensated for this post: This is information that we all need as part of our healthy lifestyle program and I'm tickled to share with you the valuable resources from USDA that I've come to count upon in my kitchen and home.

Hello Dear Readers, thanks for joining me here today and happy Spring to you all.

If you've been with me for very long you know one of my nag-topics is food safety and kitchen hygiene. For myself, and for so many of you, I know having a bariatric surgery was not only a means to weight loss and healthy weight management: it was an opportunity for a new start in the pursuit of living better, healthier lives. That includes becoming schooled in matters of food handling safety, proper food preparation and storage, and protecting myself and family from foodborne illness.

The USDA is my go-to source for current and meaningful information that promotes, "kitchen confidence" -- simply the confidence in your ability to safely prepare delicious meals for your loved ones and yourself. Food safety and kitchen confidence is no trivial matter. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year approximately 48 million Americans suffer from foodborne illnesses, leading to 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. The CDC says "Many of these illnesses can be prevented by changing behaviors in the kitchen and gaining a little kitchen confidence."

FoodKeeper Mobile App

Earlier this month the USDA invited home cooks to improve their kitchen confidence by visiting their remarkably user-friendly website Foodsafety.gov and making use of their go-to quick reference guide to food safety with the free and friendly app: FoodKeeper for iOS and Android.

"The FoodKeeper helps you understand food and beverages storage. It will help you maximize the freshness and quality of items. By doing so you will be able to keep items fresh longer than if they were not stored properly. It was developed by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, with Cornell University and the Food Marketing Institute. It is also available as a mobile application for Android and Apple devices."

Find the app at FoodKeeper or get it directly from your App store on your favorite mobile device.

This image shows the information on storing and consuming shredded cheese. Notice how clean and concise the information is presented - no lengthy explanation, just the simple facts. The clean presentation makes sense because the question "I wonder if this is still good?" is usually asked when we are engaged and lack the time for lengthy reading and research. A couple of quick clicks and we are in the know, good to go!

 

I hope you will check out the FoodKeeper App and the FoodSafety.gov website to build your kitchen confidence and keep your family healthy and happy as you enjoy meals together.

Safety Tips to Prevent Food Borne Illness This Summer