Food Safety in a Minute - WSU Extension

Food Safety in a Minute
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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. 6D AGO

    FSM 377: Food Safety Behind Commercial Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Part 1

    Transcript [ Music ] Welcome to Food Safety in a Minute. Enjoy adding sun-dried tomatoes to hummus or pasta? The next two weeks, we focus on the food safety behind commercial sun-dried tomatoes. Just picked tomatoes arrive by truck to a dry yard. They are washed, sorted, sliced in half, inspected, and placed in large wooden trays. The three by six-foot trays are made of Douglas fir or plywood. Using wooden trays retains heat overnight, they are lighter, easier to handle than metal, and prevent tomatoes from sliding during handling. Trays are covered then stacked to allow air to flow for drying for five to seven days. Learn more by reading The Sunny Side of Food Drying by Richard Stier. The link is listed with our printed episode text. From Washington State University Extension, I’m Susie Craig. [ Music ] Resources Richard Stier. The Sunny Side of Food Drying (11/7/25). Institute of Food Technologists. Food Technology Magazine – Applied Science. www.ift.org/news-and-publications/food-technology-magazine/issues/2025/november/columns/processing-the-sunny-side-of-food-drying?utm_medium=email&utm_source=rasa_io&utm_campaign=newsletter. Accessed online 1/9/26.

    1 min

  2. FEB 25

    FSM 376: Food Safety Behind Dried Fruits

    Transcript [ Music ] From Washington State University Extension, welcome to Food Safety in a Minute. Did you know worldwide dried fruit production from 2023 to 2024 was estimated at 3.36 million metric tons. Next time you’re in a grocery or big box store, take a look at the variety of choices available to you. Drying is one of the earliest methods of food preservation. Drying removes enough water to prevent spoilage and inhibit microbial growth. Sun drying has pros and cons. It’s sustainable in geographical areas with dry, sunny weather, and requires no fossil fuels. However, it does require space. Every 10 acres of harvested fruit requires 1 acre used for drying. To ensure food safety, farmers must also have practices in place against contamination, pests, and uneven drying. I’m Susie Craig. This is Food Safety in a Minute. [ Music ] Resources Richard Stier. The Sunny Side of Food Drying (11/7/25). Institute of Food Technologists. Food Technology Magazine – Applied Science. www.ift.org/news-and-publications/food-technology-magazine/issues/2025/november/columns/processing-the-sunny-side-of-food-drying?utm_medium=email&utm_source=rasa_io&utm_campaign=newsletter. Accessed online 1/9/26.

    1 min

  3. FEB 18

    FSM 375: This UN Commission Helps Ensure Worldwide Food Safety

    Transcript [ Music ] Welcome to Food Safety in a Minute. Established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization, this special Commission develops international food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice to protect consumer health while promoting fair practices in food trade. This past October the Codex Alimentarius Commission celebrated its 80th anniversary. During their last conference, they updated and adopted more than 500 food additive provisions, recommended practices to reduce aflatoxins and established maximum levels for lead in some spices and herbs. Learn more about this Commission by visiting the Food and Agriculture Organization and visiting their official website. Links appear in the printed text of this episode. From Washington State University. I’m Susie Craig. [ Music ] Resources Benedetti, Alessandra. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Codex Alimentarius Commission meets at FAO as Organization marks 80 years of Action on Food Safety (10/11/25). https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/codex-alimentarius-commission-meets-at-fao-as-organization-marks-80-years-of-action-on-food-safety/en?utm_medium=email&utm_source=rasa_io&utm_campaign=newsletter. Accessed online 1/9/26. Codex Alimentarius International Food Standards website: https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius. Assessed online 1/9/26. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. FAO-WHO 48th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission Adopts New Standards. https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/fao-who-48th-session-of-the-codex-alimentarius-commission-adopts-new-standards/en. Accessed online 1/9/26.

    1 min

  4. FEB 11

    FSM 374: Food Safety and Chocolate

    Transcript [ Music ] Welcome to Food Safety in a Minute, I’m Susie Craig. Chocolate and Valentines Day go hand in hand. With low water activity and high fat content, chocolate is considered a low-risk food. However, food processors follow Good Manufacturing Practices and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point systems to ensure food safety. This includes established parameters for the control of raw materials, especially cocoa seeds and milk powder. Processors also monitor roasting temperatures of cocoa seeds needed to reduce microbial loads for food safety. Heavy metals, specifically cadmium and lead have been found in some dark chocolate and cocoa products in the United States. We’ll learn more about that in an upcoming episode. Remember, if you have allergies to ingredients sometimes used in chocolate, always check the label. From Washington State University Extension, this is Food Safety in a Minute. [ Music ] Resources Camire, Mary Ellen (University of Maine). Institute of Food Technologists, Food Facts (2016). Chocolate 101. https://www.ift.org/career-development/learn-about-food-science/food-facts/chocolate-101. Assessed online 1/8/26.

    1 min

  5. FEB 4

    FSM 373: Food Safety for Ramadan

    Transcript [ Music ] From Washington State University Extension, this is Food Safety in a Minute. Mid-February marks the start of Ramadan for Muslims around the world. The exact date depends on moon settings. Ramadan includes 30 days of fasting from dawn until sunset. After sunset, families look forward to home-cooked meals and community events with food. The USDA has recommendations for keeping your family dinners safe. • Cook lamb, beef, and poultry to safe internal temperatures. Use a thermometer to test. Poultry, 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Lamb and beef, whole cuts to 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Ground lamb and ground beef, 160 degrees Fahrenheit. • Keep hot food hot above 140 degrees Fahrenheit. • Keep cold food cold below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. • Avoid leaving perishable food at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Cool and store. Thanks for listening, I’m Susie Craig. [ Music ] Resources Sattar, Zoya. Food Safety and Inspection Service. United States Department of Agriculture. Food Safety Do’s and Don’ts for Ramadan. Accessed online 1/8/2026. www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/news-press-releases/food-safety-dos-and-donts-ramadan.

    1 min

  6. JAN 28

    FSM 372: Coloring the Future Naturally: The Shift Away from Synthetic Food Dyes

    Transcript [ Music ] I’m Susie Craig from Washington State University Extension. Did you know that 90% of the members of the American Bakers Association plan to eliminate certified FD&C colors from their snack and bakery products by December 31, 2028? FD&C colors are synthetic, petroleum-based dyes currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Many companies are pledging to remove these colorings by the end of 2026. Removing synthetic dyes is a significant, time-intensive process. Manufacturers depend on suppliers to expand large-scale availability of natural color ingredients. Products must be reformulated, tested, and relabeled, and companies must ensure natural colors continue to meet consumer expectations. Consumers can help drive this transition by embracing foods that look different when colored naturally. This is Food Safety in a Minute from Washington State University Extension [ Music ] Resources: Hyslop, Gil. Bakery and Snacks Association. News & Analysis on the Bakery and Snacks Industries. Why Brands are Dropping Synthetic Dyes Ahead of Regulation. https://www.bakeryandsnacks.com/Article/2025/11/18/why-bakery-snack-brands-are-dropping-synthetic-dyes-early/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS?utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=rasa_io. Accessed online 11/20/25. United States Food and Drug Administration. Color Additives and Cosmetics: Fact Sheet. https://www.fda.gov/industry/color-additives/color-additives-and-cosmetics-fact-sheet. Accessed online 11/20/25.

    1 min

  7. JAN 8

    FSM 371: Ordering In? Six Food Safety Tips for Restaurant Deliveries

    Transcript: [Music] This is Food Safety in a Minute from Washington State University Extension. Are pad Thai, sushi, pasta, chicken curry, or a meatloaf dinner from a local eatery arriving this evening at your home for dinner? Here are six tips to prevent foodborne illness. • Check restaurant inspection scores from your health department. Food should always come from inspected restaurants. Using social media, some people are selling cooked, perishable food online in violation of health department regulations. • Arrange delivery when someone is home. • Check for cross contamination. Raw items separated from cooked ones. Sauces or side dishes that may have spilled. • Check food temperature with a thermometer. Hot foods at or above 140°F, cold ones at or below 40°F. • Eat within two hours. • If delayed, refrigerate, then reheat to 165°F. Thanks for listening, I’m Susie Craig. [Music] Resources: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Tips for Meal Kit and Food Delivery Safety. https://www.foodsafety.gov/blog/tips-meal-kit-and-food-delivery-safety. Accessed online 10/18/25.

    1 min

  8. 12/31/2025

    FSM 370: New Year, Safe Kitchen: The Core Four Way

    Transcript [Music] This is Food Safety in a Minute from Washington State University Extension. In 2026, resolve to improve food safety in your kitchen using this clear, straightforward mantra from the National Partnership for Food Safety Education. “It’s the “Core Four”: Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill.” Clean all surfaces and wash your hands before and after handling food. Remember to Separate raw from cooked foods, especially raw meat, poultry and eggs. Next, Cook everything to the correct temperature; use a thermometer rather than relying on color alone. Finally, Chill foods by refrigerating promptly and ensuring your fridge stays at or below 40 °F. Embracing this four-step kitchen safety routine not only protects health, but sets a wise, simple resolution for the year ahead. Learn more, visit the National Partnership for Food Safety Education. This is Susie Craig, Happy New Year. [Music] Resources Partnership for Food Safety Education. The Core Four Practices. https://fightbac.org/food-safety-basics/the-core-four-practices/. Accessed online 11/5/25.

    1 min
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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.

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