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 

Is your refrigerator giving you the stink eye?

Well - I'm getting the big ol' stink eye from the kitchen fridge and the basement fridge (better known around here as the "Island of Misfit Food!")  Lucky for me today is National Clean Out your Refrigerator Day! Yup! Who knew we had such a holiday?  Here's what I learned about it from the ever-so-informative website: HolidayInsights.com

When : Always November 15th

Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day is today.

What's that in the back of the refrigerator!? I don't want to find out. Don't open it...... the odor may overwhelm you!!! Hold your breath, scrunch your nose if you must, and get to the task.

Everything in your refrigerator was once a fresh, healthy food, ready for your consumption. It may have been a tasty leftover, intended for later enjoyment. Unfortunately, over the course of weeks or more, things get pushed to the back of the refrigerator and slowly transform into something impossible to identify. 


We've all run across items in the refrigerator that once were tasty food, But, now, they are some dried out, mold covered nasty, that you remove and dispose of at arms length. 


Who wins the prize for the worst refrigerator surprises? Most often, it's workplace refrigerators.


Use this day to clean out your refrigerator, top to bottom. When it comes to food safety, we fall back to the old saying " When in doubt, throw it out!"

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Origin of Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day: We found references suggesting that Whirlpool Home Appliances was promoting Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. However, we went to their website and performed a search of it. They make no mention of this day. 

Common speculation is that this day was created just in advance of Thanksgiving, to allow room for holiday leftovers. 

And here is a little refresher from the FDA on the good and proper method for going from stink to sweet as we mark this auspicious national holiday. Follow the link to the FDA for a print version to add to your Kitchen 411 Binder.

Food Safety: Removing Odors from Refrigerators and Freezers

                                 FDA Fact Sheet: Refrigerators and Freezers

Refrigerators and freezers are two of the most important pieces of equipment in the kitchen for keeping food safe. We are instantly reminded of their importance when the power goes off, flooding occurs, or the unit fails, causing food to become unsafe and spoil. The odors that develop when food spoils can be difficult to remove. Use this information to learn how to remove odors from units or how to safely discard an affected unit.
To Remove Odors from Refrigerators and Freezers
If food has spoiled in a refrigerator or freezer and odors from the food remain, they may be difficult to remove. The following procedures may help but may have to be repeated several times.

• Dispose of any spoiled or questionable food.
• Remove shelves, crispers, and ice trays. Wash them thoroughly with hot water and detergent. Then rinse with a sanitizing solution (1 tablespoon unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water).
• Wash the interior of the refrigerator and freezer, including the door and gasket, with hot water and baking soda. Rinse with sanitizing solution as above.
• Leave the door open for about 15 minutes to allow free air circulation.

If odors remain, try any or all of the following:

• Wipe inside of unit with equal parts vinegar and water. Vinegar provides acid which destroys mildew.
• Leave the door open and allow to air out for several days.
• Stuff both the refrigerator and freezer with rolled newspapers. Close the door and leave for several days. Remove paper and clean with vinegar and water.
• Sprinkle fresh coffee grounds or baking soda loosely in a large, shallow container in the bottom of the refrigerator and freezer.
• Place a cotton swab soaked with vanilla inside the refrigerator and freezer. Close door for 24 hours. Check for odors.
• Use a commercial product available at hardware and housewares stores. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

If Odors Cannot Be Removed
If odors cannot be removed, then the refrigerator or freezer may need to be discarded. If you need to discard the refrigerator or freezer, discard it in a safe manner:

• "Childproof" old refrigerators or freezers so children do not get trapped inside. The surest way is to take the door off.
• If the door will not come off, chain and padlock the door permanently and close tightly, or remove or disable the latch completely so the door will no longer lock when closed.

It is unlawful in many jurisdictions to discard old refrigerators or freezers without first removing the door. Depending on where you live, your appliance will be picked up by your solid waste provider, a recycler, a retailer (if you buy a new unit), or program sponsored by local or regional utilities.