Are you hosting a holiday party this year? As you think about your dinner menu, make sure you plan ahead for how you will thaw and cook the meat. When food is thawed incorrectly, foodborne germs can multiply to dangerous levels and cause people to get sick — and you don’t want to invite foodborne […]

Thawing food may seem simple, but if done incorrectly, it can make you just as sick as undercooking food. How is this possible? Let’s start by talking about temperature and bacteria. The temperature danger zone for food Bacteria need certain temperatures to grow. Temperatures below 41°F slow down bacterial growth and keep the bacteria from […]

One of the most satisfying sounds is the sizzling of fresh top sirloin as it’s laid across the grill. Maybe it’s lathered in butter, or it’s been marinating in a delectable secret sauce for the past couple days. Peppercorn cracks as the smell of heaven wafts through the evening summer breeze.  Steak is amongst the […]

No matter what the occasion is, taco bars are always a crowd pleaser. And let’s face it, they’re usually less expensive and easier to make than a lot of other options. They even contain many healthy ingredients. Whether it’s for a party, for your family dinner, or even just to satisfy a personal craving, you […]

Getting your favorite meal from your local restaurant has never been easier or more convenient. Dining at the restaurant can be an enjoyable way to get out of the house and into the community, but let’s face it, sometimes you just want to be able to stay in. Nothing beats cozying up on the couch […]

In the foodservice industry, having your Food Protection Manager Certification (FPMC) is a big deal. Not only does the FDA Food Code recommend that persons in charge of food establishments have their FPMC, most areas across the United States require at least one manager per establishment to have the certification. Getting your FPMC is also […]

Food poisoning, also known as foodborne illness, happens when you eat contaminated food. The contaminant can be a type of bacteria, virus, parasite, or other toxin. Every year, approximately 48 million people get a foodborne illness in the United States. Most people are able to recover at home. In serious cases, you may have to […]

Social distancing and recent shelter-in-place orders have made it difficult for food managers who need to certify or recertify to take the FPMC exam in person. Fortunately, in-person testing is not the only option. StateFoodSafety offers an online food manager certification exam and online proctoring, which means managers can get their certification 100% online, without […]

When you are cooking food for yourself at home, do you ever worry about your food safety practices? You might. What if you were ordering food from a restaurant and witnessed unsafe food handling? You would definitely be worried! So what’s the difference between someone else doing something unsafe with your food and you doing […]

As health officials work to slow the spread of COVID-19 (the novel coronavirus), some of the precautions they’re taking will likely have a big impact on restaurants. Perhaps the most impactful precaution is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation against gatherings of 50 or more people. After the recommendation was issued on March […]