Penn State Ag Sciences Newsline -- December 16, 2008

For holiday food gifts, a little care can preserve the joy of giving and receiving (:42)

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Suggested Intro:

WHETHER IT'S CHRISTMAS COOKIES OR AUNT BETTY'S SEAFOOD DIP, SPECIAL FOODS ARE A BIG PART OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON. A FOOD SAFETY SPECIALIST IN PENN STATE'S COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES HAS A FEW TIPS TO ENSURE THAT YOU SPREAD ONLY HOLIDAY CHEER. MORE FROM GARY ABDULLAH:

Story:

(:14) WITH TIGHTENING FAMILY BUDGETS, MANY PEOPLE ARE CONSIDERING GIVING FOOD AS GIFTS FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. PENN STATE FOOD SAFETY SPECIALIST MARTIN BUCKNAVAGE EXPLAINS THAT, WHEN IT COMES TO AVOIDING FOODBORNE ILLNESS, ALL HOLIDAY DELICACIES ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL:

Bucknavage Actuality:
(:20) "YOU WANT TO AVOID PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS, SUCH AS MEATS, CHEESES, AND DAIRY-BASED PRODUCTS. SEND OR SHIP COOKIES, DENSE BAKED FOOD ITEMS LIKE FRUIT CAKES, CANDIES, CANNED JELLIES OR JAMS, PERHAPS HOMEMADE CONDIMENTS. IF YOU'RE GOING TO SHIP A PERISHABLE FOOD ITEM, SHIP IN A FOAM COOLER WITH AMPLE ICE PACKS. MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S SOMEBODY THERE TO RECEIVE IT TO ENSURE THAT THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 40 DEGREES."

(:08) BUCKNAVAGE RECOMMENDS LABELING YOUR FOOD GIFT CLEARLY, SO THAT RECIPIENTS KNOW WHAT'S IN IT AND CAN AVOID PROBLEMS WITH FOOD ALLERGIES. FROM PENN STATE, I'M GARY ABDULLAH.

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Learn more:

Food Safety for those Glorious Holiday Goodies!

 

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