If you prefer to listen to podcasts, feel free to play the audio version of this blog by clicking on the player above. Podcast: Thanksgiving Food SafetyLength: 2 min 14 secondsWritten and read by the author
Harmful Algal Blooms
Who of you can resist dipping your toes in an inviting lake or pond on a hot summer day? Even dogs appreciate the fun and relaxation that comes with swimming and wading in water. Hidden in that water are many toxins, some produced from harmful algal blooms. We will cover the most common ones here.
TSE Part 4: BSE
In our fourth and final installment of prion diseases, we will discuss probably the most familiar of the TSEs: bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Most cases occur in the United Kingdom, but the disease has been found in Japan, Canada, the US, and across Europe. First diagnosed in the UK in 1986, BSE was brought to Continue Reading
Q Fever
With a name like Q fever, you would expect this disease to be obscure and rare. In fact, it is found worldwide (except in New Zealand) and can be transmitted to many species in many ways. The name comes from “query” fever because the true cause of the disease was unknown for many years. It Continue Reading
Botulism
Canning your own foods at home is a great way to preserve extra food, and provide meals for your family. If the process is not carried out correctly, however, it is also a potential source of botulism. There are many descriptive names for botulism: Shaker Foal Syndrome (horses), Limberneck (ducks), and Floppy Baby Syndrome (humans). Continue Reading
Rabbit Fever
If you prefer to listen to podcasts, feel free to play the audio version of this blog by clicking on the player above. Podcast: Rabbit Fever Length: 3:48 minutes Written and read by the author Fall is upon us, and many people are getting ready for fall and winter hunting. Now is a good time Continue Reading
♫ Camp Low Bacteria, Diarrhea is coming to me ♪
If you prefer to listen to podcasts, feel free to play the audio version of this blog by clicking on the player above. Podcast: ♫ Camp Low Bacteria, Diarrhea is coming to me ♪Length: 5 min 8 secondsWritten and read by the author
Pasteurization of Milk
In the Introduction to Raw Milk blog, we briefly touched on pasteurization. Here, we will cover the specifics of the process, and why it is a vital step in ensuring the safety of the foods you consume. Pasteurized foods can become contaminated after the process if they are not handled properly (including kept refrigerated).
Introduction to Raw Milk
There have been a few articles in the news recently involving cases of human illness from drinking raw (unpasteurized) milk or consuming dairy products made with unpasteurized milk. A few of the more common bacteria associated with raw milk are Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli, Q fever, and Campylobacter. Brucella is a less common, but severe Continue Reading
Let’s get Candid about Rancid
Have you ever tasted something that was rancid? Not fun! Chances are you have eaten something rancid and not known that rancidity was the cause. What about a stale tortilla chip? Ever had a chip that tasted okay but had an almost “soapy” overtone? That is also rancidity. Here we will discuss what rancidity is, Continue Reading