Food Safety in a Minute - WSU Extension

Food Safety in a Minute
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Biweekly

Need answers to your food safety questions? Food Safety in a Minute from Washington State University answers the most commonly asked questions from consumers. Listening is a quick and easy way to learn more about food safety. Subscribe to our weekly podcast and explore online episodes.

  1. 4h ago

    FSM 410: Soup Season Is Here: Keep Comfort Food Safe

    Transcript [Music] This is Food Safety in a Minute from Washington State University Extension. Soup season is here, are you cooling and reheating it safely? Nothing quite like a warm bowl of homemade soup in the winter. Whether it's chili, or a family recipe if you’re planning for leftovers, know large pots of soup can stay warm long enough for harmful bacteria to grow. Here are simple steps to ensure safety when cooling and reheating. Divide hot soup into shallow containers and refrigerate it promptly. Avoid overloading your refrigerator. When you're ready to enjoy it again, reheat soup to 165°F. A food thermometer takes the guesswork out of food safety, helping ensure every bowl is delicious, comforting, and safe. Use these guidelines for warm soup, warm hearts and safe meals. I’m Susie Craig, enjoy your soup. [Music] Resources Partnership for Food Safety Education. (n.d.). Fight BAC!® consumer resources. https://www.fightbac.org. Accessed online, 10/15/2026. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service. (n.d.). Leftovers and food safety. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/leftovers-and-food-safety. Accessed online 10/15/2026

  2. Oct 28

    FSM 409: Don’t Let Foodborne Illness Haunt Your Halloween

    Transcript [Music] Welcome to Food Safety in a Minute, from Washington State University Extension. Whether it’s trick-or-treating or you’re hosting a costume party, keep food safety on your Halloween checklist! Ask children to wait until they return home before eating candy. Inspect wrappers for tears, pinholes, or anything unusual, and discard suspicious treats. Check ingredient labels for allergens, and remove hard candy, gum, and other choking hazards from young children’s bags. Hosting a party? Serve pasteurized cider. Refrigerate perishable dips, sandwiches, and desserts until serving. Keep hot foods hot at 140 degrees Fahrenheit or above, and cold foods at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Discard perishables left at room temperature for more than two hours. Wash your hands before preparing or eating food. Enjoy Halloween safely with your family! I'm Susie Craig, bringing you science-based food safety information for everyday life. [Music] Resources U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2024). Halloween Food Safety Tips for Parents. Accessed online 10/12/26. https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/halloween-food-safety-tips-parents.

  3. Oct 21

    FSM 408: Can CRISPR Technology Make Peanuts Safer?

    Transcript [Music] From Washington State University Extension, this is Food Safety in a Minute where science helps you make safer food choices. This week, our podcast focuses on emerging food technology; reducing allergens in peanuts. Bryant Williams, the founder and CEO of Nurtured Nuts is developing peanuts with fewer allergens using CRISPR gene editing technology. One in fifty Americans have peanut allergies which can trigger severe reactions. Their immune system mistakenly identifies certain proteins in peanuts as dangerous. Gene editing disables some genes in peanut plants that produce specific allergenic proteins. Partnering with AgriNetica, the new peanuts will preserve flavor and nutrition while drastically reducing allergens. Nurtured Nuts has successfully planted its’ USDA approved allergen-less peanuts in Georgia, the first commercial-scale cultivation of gene edited peanuts in the U.S. I’m Susie Craig with Washington State University Extension. [Music] Resources Institute of Food Technologists. Omnivore Podcast, Episode 90 (2026, September 28). IFT Startup Competition Winner, the Rise of Snealing. Accessed online 10/12/26. https://www.ift.org/publications/omnivore-podcast/ep-90-ift-startup-comp-winner. Wiles, T. FI Global Insights. (2026, September 9), Allergen-less Peanuts Created Using CRISPR. Accessed online 10/12/26. https://insights.figlobal.com/foodtech/startup-creates-allergen-less-peanuts-using-crispr.

  4. Oct 14

    FSM 407: Shake, Rattle, and Prepare: Food Safety Before an Earthquake

    Transcript [Music] I’m Susie Craig. Welcome to Food Safety in a Minute. Washington's Great ShakeOut is October 15th. The world’s largest annual earthquake drill is designed to help prepare for an earthquake. Do you have safe food and water stored for your family after a major earthquake? Washington Emergency Management recommends preparing for two weeks without essential services. Their website has more information. Having safe food and water is a necessity. The Great ShakeOut reminds us to plan for the next earthquake. • Store one gallon of drinking water per person, daily, for fourteen days. Remember your pets, too. • Stock ready-to-eat foods requiring no refrigeration, cooking, or additional water: Canned meats, fruits, vegetables, peanut butter, and energy bars. • Include a manual can opener. • Accommodate special dietary needs. From Washington State University Extension, this is Food Safety in a Minute. [Music] Resources Washington Emergency Management Division. Be Prepared: Gather Supplies. Accessed online 10/13/26. https://mil.wa.gov/kits.

  5. Oct 7

    FSM 406: Milk Safety and Milk Spoilage

    Transcript [Music] Milk Safety and Milk Spoilage This is Food Safety in a Minute from Washington State University Extension. Milk pasteurization destroys pathogenic or disease-causing bacteria; it does not eliminate all spoilage bacteria. Thus, milk has an expected shelf life labeled with “best used by” date on the container. Spoilage bacteria cause sour odors, off flavors, curdling, or texture changes; they usually signal declining quality rather than indicate safety. Pathogenic bacteria, by contrast, can cause foodborne disease and may not change milk’s smell, taste, or appearance. These behaviors hasten milk spoilage at home: • Leaving milk out during meals, • Storing in the refrigerator door, • Refrigerator temperatures above 40°F (4°C), • Drinking directly from the container, or • Touching the cap with unclean hands. Keep milk cold, covered, clean, and promptly refrigerated to preserve quality and safety. I’m Susie Craig, thanks for listening. [Music] Resources U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service. (2024). FoodKeeper app. Accessed online 10/4/26. https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/foodkeeper-app. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service. (2024). Ask Karen: How long can you keep dairy products like yogurt, milk, and cheese in the refrigerator? Accessed online 10/4/26. https://ask.fsis.usda.gov/article/How-long-can-you-keep-dairy-products-like-yogurt-milk-and-cheese-in-the-refrigerator?utm_source=chatgpt.com.

  6. Sep 30

    FSM 405: Changes in 2026 Food and Drug Administration Food Code: Food Donations

    Transcript [Music] From Washington State University Extension, this is Food Safety in a Minute. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration released the 2026 Food Code with new standards for food donations from retail food operations. The changes address food waste reduction efforts across the country, including food donations from grocers, restaurants, and other retail food operations. The Food Code: • Defines proper temperature control before donation. • Describes protection from cross contamination during storage and transport. • Requires clear identification and handling of donated foods. And • Requires consistent application of food safety practices regardless of whether food is sold or donated. Food operations will manage food donations as part of their entire food safety management program; supporting sustainability and safeguarding the prevention of foodborne illness of hunger-relief efforts. Thanks for listening, I’m Susie Craig. [Music] Resources FDA Releases 2026 Food Code with Updates on Food Defense, Employee Illness, Food Safety Management. Food Safety Magazine. Accessed online 9/20/2026. https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11843-fda-releases-2026-food-code-with-updates-on-food-defense-employee-illness-food-safety-management?utm_medium=emailsend&utm_source=NL-FS-Food+Safety+Digest&utm_content=BNPCD260918038_01&oly_enc_id=4824A9684990A5Y. 2026 Food Code. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Public Health Service, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed online 9/20/2026. https://www.fda.gov/food/fda-food-code/food-code-2026.

  7. Sep 23

    FSM 404: 2026 Food and Drug Administration Food Code

    Transcript [Music] Welcome to Food Safety in a Minute. I’m Susie Craig from Washington State University Extension. The Food and Drug Administration provides recommendations safeguarding us against foodborne illness. On September 17th, they released the 2026 edition of the Food Code. Developed with input from regulatory officials, industry representatives, academics, and consumers, they work with the Conference for Food Protection, USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the US Environmental Protection Agency. The Food Code is adopted by local and state health departments including tribal, territorial, and Federal jurisdictions. The Code covers foodservice including restaurants, schools, hospitals, caterers, even street vendors, retail food stores, and food vending operations. Next episode learn about specific changes in the FDA Food Code and how they positively affect food safety for consumers. Thanks for listening to Food Safety in a Minute. [Music] Resources FDA Releases 2026 Food Code with Updates on Food Defense, Employee Illness, Food Safety Management. Food Safety Magazine. . Accessed online 9/20/2026. https://www.food-safety.com/articles/11843-fda-releases-2026-food-code-with-updates-on-food-defense-employee-illness-food-safety-management?utm_medium=emailsend&utm_source=NL-FS-Food+Safety+Digest&utm_content=BNPCD260918038_01&oly_enc_id=4824A9684990A5Y. 2026 Food Code. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Public Health Service, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed online 9/20/2026. https://www.fda.gov/food/fda-food-code/food-code-2026.

  8. Sep 16

    Off This Week - We Will Return Soon

    Transcript [Music] Welcome to Food Safety in a Minute from Washington State University Extension. We're off this week, but we'll return soon. If you're not subscribed, please subscribe to Food Safety in a Minute to get each weekly episode delivered to you automatically. Thanks for listening. I'm Susie Craig. [Music]

See All (437)

About

Need answers to your food safety questions? Food Safety in a Minute from Washington State University answers the most commonly asked questions from consumers. Listening is a quick and easy way to learn more about food safety. Subscribe to our weekly podcast and explore online episodes.

Information