Food Safety in a Minute - WSU Extension

Food Safety in a Minute
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Updated 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. 2d ago

    FSM 402: Artificial Intelligence in Food Safety: Smarter Decisions, Safer Food

    Transcript [Music] Welcome to Food Safety in a Minute from Washington State University Extension. Can AI improve food safety? In a recent article from the Institute of Food Technologists, AI may flag a food safety risk, but humans still make the call. Artificial intelligence helps food companies move from reacting to food safety problems to predicting risks before they become outbreaks. By analyzing production, environmental, and operational data, AI can identify unusual patterns that may signal contamination or process failures. AI can also help tracing products through supply chains. The biggest challenge is not the AI technology itself, but ensuring the data used is accurate, reliable, and well-managed. AI can improve decisions and response times, but people still play the critical role in oversight, accountability, and taking action to protect consumers. Thanks for listening, I’m Susie Craig [Music] Resources Bricher, Julie Larson. Food Technology Magazine - IFT. Can AI Improve Food Safety? https://www.ift.org/food-technology-magazine/can-ai-improve-food-safety?utm_medium=email&utm_source=rasa_io&utm_campaign=newsletter. Accessed online 6/8/26.

  2. Aug 26

    FSM 401: Preserved Relishes and Salads: Small Jars, Big Flavor, Safe Results

    Transcript [Music] Welcome to Food Safety in a Minute from Washington State University Extension. Did you know the National Center for Home Food Preservation offers research-based, tested recipes for preserved relishes and salads? If you are new to home food preservation, many of these recipes use a Boiling Water Canner, processed in pint or half-pint jars, making them an easy way to get started in canning and home food preservation. A Boiling Water Canner is a large cooking pot with a lid and a rack that keeps jars off the bottom while allowing boiling water to circulate around them. Tested recipes ensure proper balance of ingredients and processing times for safe home food preservation. Popular choices include corn relish, cucumber relish, pickled vegetables, and bean salad. Visit their website to learn more. For Food Safety in a Minute, I’m Susie Craig. [Music] Resources Schwan, Carla, Ines Beltran, Elizabeth Andress. Preserving Food Series: Using Boiling Water Canners. National Center for Home Food Preservation. https://nchfp.uga.edu/papers/factsheets/Preserving_Food__Using_Boiling_Water_Canners.pdf. Accessed online 6/10/26

  3. Aug 19

    FSM 400: Safe Produce Practices During Cyclospora Outbreaks

    Transcript [Music] I’m Susie Craig, this is Food Safety in a Minute. Human illness from the parasite, cyclospora results from eating food or drinking water contaminated with human feces. Most often, fresh produce becomes contaminated after coming into contact with irrigation or washing water of produce where the parasite is present. What can you do to stay safe? • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after preparing produce. • Purchase produce locally or regionally. • Rinse fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water, scrub firm produce with a clean brush • Ask restaurants about their sources. • Check with your state health department, know what products are implicated, where they come from. • Discard implicated foods, clean and sanitize containers and surfaces they touched. • And call your doctor if you have symptoms. From Washington State University Extension, this is Food Safety in a Minute. [Music] References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026, July 17). Preventing cyclosporiasis. https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/prevention/index.html. Accessed 7/26/26. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2022, November 18). Cyclosporiasis and fresh produce. https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/cyclosporiasis-and-fresh-produce#Parasite, Accessed online 7/26/26. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2026, July 19). Investigation of nine-state outbreak of Cyclospora illnesses: Iceberg lettuce. https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-9-state-outbreak-cyclospora-illnesses-iceberg-lettuce-july-2026. Accessed online 7/26/26.

  4. Aug 13

    After a Wildfire: Handling Undamaged Canned Foods

    Transcript [Music] From Washington State University Extension, thanks for listening to a series of podcasts called Wildfire Food Safety. After wildfires, some food products may be safe to keep. Specifically, commercially canned food when completely sealed and undamaged. Metal used in commercially processed cans is generally considered safe when completely sealed and hasn’t been exposed to high heat which could damage seals or seams. Discard bulging, leaking, deeply dented or rusted cans. For undamaged cans: • Wash the exterior with hot water and detergent, then rinse. • Sanitize with a solution of 1 Tablespoon of unscented liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of cool water, soak for 15 minutes. • Rinse, dry, and re-label. “When in doubt, throw it out.” According to the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service, the cost of replacing food is far less than potential negative consequences. Thanks for listening, I’m Susie Craig. [Music] Resources U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service. (2025). Extinguishing the risk of foodborne illness during wildfires. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/news-events/news-press-releases/extinguishing-risk-foodborne-illness-during-wildfires. Accessed online 8/9/26.

  5. Aug 13

    Can Wildfire Smoke Contaminate Food?

    Transcript [Music] I’m Susie Craig and this is a special series of podcasts focused on Wildfires and Food Safety. Wildfire smoke and heat can contaminate food even when packaging looks undamaged. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service advises discarding food directly exposed to smoke or fumes because contaminants can penetrate cardboard, plastic wrap, and other permeable materials. Refrigerator and freezer seals are not always airtight, meaning food stored inside a smoke-damaged building may be affected and require disposal. The primary concern is contamination of food, packaging, and food-contact surfaces. After smoke damage, some commercially canned food can be saved. Learn about the cleaning process by listening to After a Wildfire: Handling Undamaged Commercially Canned Foods in this series of podcasts. Or, visit the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service for additional guidance. From Washington State University Extension, listen to this series and Food Safety in a Minute. [Music] References U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service. (n.d.). Keep your food safe during emergencies: Power outages, floods & fires. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/emergencies/keep-your-food-safe-during-emergencies, Accessed online 8/7/26.

  6. Aug 13

    Protect Yourself when Harvesting Your Garden after Wildfire Smoke/Ash

    Transcript [Music] From Washington State University Extension, you are listening to a special series of podcasts titled Wildfire Food Safety. You’ve decided it’s safe to harvest your garden. Oregon State University Extension recommends steps to protect you and your produce after wildfire smoke or ash exposure. Avoid harvesting when air quality is unhealthy; wait for conditions to improve. Don’t use leaf blowers that can send settled ash back into the air. Wear a mask, preferably an N95. Remove shoes outdoors, change clothes, and launder promptly. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and running water, then dry with a paper towel. After harvest, plan for next year. OSU Extension horticulturist Brooke Edmunds recommends testing soil before spring planting. Collect samples from multiple areas; testing for lead, cadmium, arsenic, nickel, and mercury. Then learn more about restoring soil biology. Thanks for listening, I’m Susie Craig. [Music] Resources Oregon State University Extension Service (September 2025). Is Wildfire Ash on Garden Produce Safe to Eat? https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/wildfire-ash-garden-produce-safe-eat. Accessed online 8/10/26.

  7. Aug 13

    Trusted Wildfire Food Safety Resources

    Transcript [Music] Welcome to a special podcast series on wildfire food safety from Washington State University Extension. After a wildfire, where can you find research-based information you can trust about food and gardening safety? In this podcast, we explore resources to help protect food in your kitchen and produce in your garden after wildfire exposure. Start with land-grant universities, including Washington State University Extension, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Oregon State University Extension and consult the USDA ’s Food Safety and Inspection Service for science-based guidance. You’ll find free webinars, guidelines, and best practices addressing produce safety during and after wildfires. Visit this podcast’s webpage to access these resources, links, and guidance. Reliable information supports informed decisions about harvesting, handling, washing, storing, and preparing food after wildfire smoke and ash. Thanks for listening. I’m Susie Craig. [Music] Resources Oregon State University Extension Service (September 2025). Is Wildfire Ash on Garden Produce Safe to Eat? https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/wildfire-ash-garden-produce-safe-eat. Accessed online 8/10/26. UC Davis – UC Food Safety. Food Safety After a Disaster: Food Safety after Urban Wildfire Webinar, Post-fire Soil Safety Webinar, Best Practices for Produce Safety after a Fire. https://ucfoodsafety.ucdavis.edu/processing-distribution/food-safety-after-a-disaster. Accessed online 8/10/26. United State Department of Agriculture – Food Safety and Inspection Service. Fires and Food Safety. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-various-meat-and-poultry-products-containing-fda-0. Accessed online 8/10/26. Washington State University Extension – Consumer Food Safety. Emergency Preparedness – Fires and Food Safety. https://extension.wsu.edu/foodsafety/emergency-prep/. Assessed online 8/10/26.

  8. Aug 13

    Wildfire Food Safety: What’s at Risk – Your Health

    Transcript [Music] Welcome to Wildfire Food Safety from Washington State University Extension. Washington’s wildfire threatens more than homes and forests. Smoke, soot, firefighting chemicals, contaminated water, and heat can make food unsafe—even when flames never touch it. Shelf-stable foods, frozen and refrigerated foods, and backyard garden produce may all be affected. USDA guidance warns that toxic fumes can penetrate packaging and refrigerator or freezer seals, while firefighting chemicals can contaminate food. Smoke from wildfire and structural fires can contain contaminants from burning vegetation, vehicles, buildings, plastics, paints, batteries, and other materials. Potential hazards include hydrocarbons and metals such as lead, cadmium, nickel, and arsenic. After a wildfire, never taste questionable food to determine safety. When in doubt, throw it out to protect your health today. Thanks for listening to Food Safety in a Minute, I’m Susie Craig. [Music] Resources USDA FSIS, Fires and Food Safety; O’Dell et al., Environmental Science & Technology (2020). https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/emergencies/fires-and-food-safety. Accessed online 8/9/26.

See All (428)

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

You Might Also Like