Food Safety

Problem:
Many people do not think about food safety until a food-related illness affects them or a family member. In the United States we have one of the safest food supplies. But foodborne illness still affects 76,000,000 people each year. Foodborne illness also kills 5000 people each year.

Response:
To help insure a safe food supply in Iowa I tested pressure canner gauges in Clinton and Linn County this quarter, I team taught ServSafe Classes with Jan Temple. I also team taught with Monica Dryer Food Safety Classes for Mt Pleasant Foods. I answered questions about food and nutrition 4-H exhibits at county fairs and stressed handwashing in the summer EFNEP/FNP youth program.

I presented “Why Grandma’s Canning Method’s Won’t Work” at the Cedar Rapids Learn and Lunch Program. I also worked with the dietitian at Johnson Ave HyVee to develop a food preservation program. Food Safety was addressed in EFNEP newsletters and in group and individual lessons.

Impact:
If food is handled and prepared safely, most food born illnesses can be avoided. Food safety is an on going problem. ISUE needs to constantly remind people of safe food handling practices. Over ninety percent of Serv Safe participants have passed the food safety classes tests. One Iowan called the office to say that she had canned 100 quart of tomato juice. Her grandmother taught her how to can. She just heated the juice and put on the lids on the jars. She didn’t process the juice. Now 30 jars had come unsealed, what should she do? We talked about processing food according to USDA recommendations to have a safe product that will keep.

When testing the canner gauges, I always ask what they are canning and we talk about canning at 11 pounds pressure. If they are canning meat I give them the USDA information regarding canning meat.

Others know they should can foods correctly and look to the extension office for answers. Several people this year had bought pressure canners at household sales and didn’t have a book of instructions. They wanted the gauges tested before they used them and wanted current instructions. They called the extension office. Another example is apple pie filling. If people wanted to make apple pie filling, and didn’t know what Clear Jel A was, they called the extension office asking where to find it.

Participants in the EFNEP group at the Heart of Iowa automatically wash their hands before starting to prepare food. EFNEP food safety behavior practices scores increase after Heart of Iowa participants’ involvement in EFNEP.

Contact:
Susan Uthoff
ISUE FS Nutrition and Health
Linn County Extension Office
3279 7th Ave  Marion IA  52302
Phone 319-377-9839; Fax 319-377-0475
Email x1uthoff@iastate.edu

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