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Monday, October 3, 2011
I am receiving many inquiries about certain brands of cantalopes and various retail outlets concerning this growing foodborne illness outbreak.
There is still much concern and many questions about the cantalope recalls. Many products come to the marketplace under different brands and there are many companies that do further processing of fresh produce. I have not seen a comprehensive list of good and/or bad cantaloupes to date.
Having said that, I explained to my husband and children to be sure to stay away from all cantalopes and any fruit salads with further processed cantalopes in them. I'll continue to say, "better to be safe than sorry." Take all precautions to keep your family safe.
Heidi
Is it safe to eat cantaloupe in Fort Lauderdale, Florida? Caryn, 10/1/2011
Dear Caryn,
You did not mention where the cantaloupe was purchased or whether it is whole cantaloupe, cut-up or part of a fruit medley. Florida was not one of the states included in the Jensen Farms cantaloupe recall. However, it never hurts to ask the store manager to verify the cantaloupes they are selling are not subject to the recall.
Heidi
I purchased a cantaloupe from Wal Mart about 2 weeks ago. I just ate it this week. I did not know about the recall. Do you think I will be ok or what should I do? I have the tag that was on the mellon and it does it have any numbers on it that would tell if it was recalled? Thank you for your time and response. Carol D., 9/29/2011
Dear Carol,
Thank you for writing. Please continue to visit our website and blog to get the most recent updates on the cantalope recalls. As far as your particular incident:
a) if you did not finish it, return the uneaten portion to the store and speak with a management person to get answers; and
b) call your physician to make the determination of how to follow up medically.
I hope this helps.
Heidi
I bought a Kandy cantaloupe from Walmart Thursday. Is it safe as I have not eaten it yet? James S., 9/12/2011
Dear James,
Always be safe rather than presume. Read the recall (a couple more states were added the other day) for a list of affected cantalope. As I always recommend, if in doubt, return to the place of purchase or toss it out.
Heidi
I became ill after eating a cold pre-made salad from Trader Joe's. I know it was the salad, I ate nothing else. I like these type salads and have them often, however, I'm wondering if the chances of food illness are higher with such prepared cold salads since they require a lot of handling in preparation? Richard M., 9/12/2011
Dear Richard,
Thank you for writing. First, I'll ask you to contact Trader Joe's. Their Quality Assurance Department is top notch and will help you resolve this situation. You may also want to contact a health care professional.
Prepared salad companies are under close scrutiny to observe and implement the highest food safety standards in the industry to protect against food borne illnesses. I feel very confident when purchasing any prepared products from Trader Joe's that it's produced under the strictest sanitary conditions. I'm sure they'll help you with this and, you too, will feel good about their products.
Heidi
Is it safe to eat buns that have been frozen with an expiration date of 8-4-2011? They were received just a couple of days before that date. Barbara J., 8/27/2011
Dear Barbara,
It's always a tough call to give an accurate response with a personal home question. With the information you provided, I'd say yes. Most commercially baked breads are usually good for several days after their printed expiration date. The first tell tale sign of a bread going bad is that it will begin to form blue mold spots (before it was frozen or after it's defrosted).
Heidi
I purchased an Annie's product out of a vending machine at work. This is one of three bags that I know to be REALLY bad tasting and I saw there was a recall of the larger sizes of the product (not the 1 oz. size that I had). I read online "Annie's has determined that the recalled items are not a health risk" – when customers complain and there is a recall, is there a third-party agency that checks the product? Seems kind of strange that Annie's would be the sole company that checks into it? Tate, 8/25/2011
Dear Tate,
You didn't tell me which item you purchased. We wrote a blog about some "questionable" Annie's products a few weeks ago. Usually if a federal agency receives a complaint (or several) they will do their own internal testing for bacteria and wholesomeness. If in fact the product is recalled, it is usually under the guidance of a federal food agency.
Don't let your purchases go unnoticed. Call, write, or e-mail the company and give them very explicit details about the faulty product. Any reputable company will at least refund your money and, quite often, supply you with V.I.P. coupons for other products they make.
Heidi
I mixed ground turkey (Cargill's brand) with ground beef and made meatballs for sauce. That was about 3 weeks ago. I have been having discomfort in my abdomen. If it were tainted would I still be having symptoms? Will sour milk make you ill or will it just taste bad? Nancy S., 8/7/2011
Dear Nancy,
The tainted ground turkey could be the problem for your stomach pains. The whole process of food illness can take a few weeks to run its course. Please contact your physician now and if he/she can't see you immediately, go to an emergency room. If in fact you are ill from the tainted ground turkey, this probably won't get better on it's own.
Sour milk will taste bad and can make you ill if consumed. Again, seek professional medical advice (call your doctor) any time you or a loved one is experiencing continuous stomach cramping. The cause may even be something you didn't expect. But, as always, "better to be safe than sorry." I hope this helped. Be well.
Heidi
Is it safe to freeze prepared chicken salad? Joseph C., 8/7/2011
Dear Joseph,
If the salad is made with mayonnaise, I'll say no. You won't like the results when thawed out. The mayo will break down (as well as any veggies i.e. celery) and cause a watery product. Many claim that Miracle Whip freezes well although I've never tried it.
Heidi
Do you need to processs a jar of homemade sun-dried tomatoes? We grew an abundance of Roma tomatoes. Online sites say to place the sun-dried tomatoes in a jar, cover with olive oil, garlic, herbs. How long can this be stored and can they or should they be processed? We have tried our local and State Extention offices. Nobody knows anything about this. Thank you for any help. Kit, 8/5/2011
Dear Kit,
It sounds like you've already processed the tomatoes if they are sun-dried. I think you're asking if they can be stored in oil. The answer is yes as long as they are completely submerged in the oil. Answering "processing" questions are always a bit tricky because they are more technical than the home cook thinks they are.
Heidi
Before we knew of the recall, I fixed this turkey (the recalled turkey) for my family last night. Nobody has gotten ill. Does this mean it's okay to eat it? Or should I throw the remaining food away? Lori W., 8/4/2011
Dear Lori,
First, keep an eye on family members for any stomach uneasiness. If any situations occur, seek physician assistance immediately. Fortunately, not everyone that eats tainted meat gets sick. This depends highly on the wellness of each person's immune system. Also, chances for illness decrease heavily when the suspect protein is well cooked - thoroughly. Personally, I'd wrap the leftovers tightly and hide them in the fridge, only to be kept should they need to be sent to a lab if an illness occurs. After a couple of days, toss it out. No need to "play with fire."
Heidi
When I buy ground turkey, I immediately divide it up and freeze it in plastic ziplock bags, and I don't remember the brand, so I don't know if what I bought is any of the tainted ground turkey between February and August of this year. If I cook it well, do I have to worry about Salmonella? Susan, 8/4/2011
Dear Susan,
Official government agencies say that a thorough "cook thru" of the meat will kill off the bacteria. My "if it was me" comment would be to throw it out. Penny wise and dollar foolish would apply here. Take your smaller losses now rather than risk the expense and devastation of a serious illness to your family.
Heidi
Hi, I was soaking some chicken fingers in milk for a meal I was going to make tonight. My hubby ended up bringing home pizza for dinner. We won’t be eating at home again until Monday night (3 nights from tonight). Neither the chicken nor the milk will be expired before then. Is it ok to leave it marinating that long? Will the chicken dissolve or will I still be able to cook it as normal? (I was going to fry chicken fingers.) Jennifer M., 7/15/2011
Dear Jennifer,
This one slipped thru my e-mails. Sorry. You are right in thinking that 3 days in a milk solution might break down the chicken proteins. You’d have been better off drying the chicken and freezing then tossing out the milk. There’s always a chance that leaving alone over the weekend would be ok, but ...
Heidi
I read an item that said that because of a feed that chickens get(roxarsone-3-nitro) the chickens have arsenic in them and something that causes cancer. Is chicken safe to eat or should we stop eating it? Also are their eggs affected? Emilie R., 6/11/2011
Dear Emilie,
One of our bloggers wrote a great piece "Chicken eaters, how’s that arsenic been tasting?" on this matter. Studies concluded that trace amounts of arsenic have proven to be passed onto humans from chickens that are fed this particular feed. These preliminary studies will face public scrutiny this week as this info becomes more widespread. There have been no conclusive studies on the effects of our consumption of chicken eggs. Stay tuned. We’ll bring you updates as soon as we get them. By the way, I’m a big poultry fan and my family will continue to eat chicken.
Heidi
I opened a new large jar of Vlasic pickles seasoned with Sea Salt and it fizzed up and spilled over exactly like a bottle of soda that has been shaken. I’m afraid to eat any of the pickles. Is this an indication that it is spoiled and what can cause this? Thank you. Susan E., 6/8/2011
Dear Susan,
Your description sounds like a simple case of "new crop pickles." There is nothing to be really concerned about. If you were to eat them, they’d be "fuzzy" on your tongue. This happens to many vegetables (especially onions) that may require a pre-soak before packaging. Just return to your store and send a quick e-mail or letter to Vlasic. I’m sure they’ll be very happy to remedy your situation.
Heidi
Does a cake with cream cheese based frosting (carrot cake or red velvet cake) need to stay refrigerated? Is it safe to eat if it’s been stored at room temp. for several hours? The woman at the bakery said it was ok to leave at room temp. Thank you. Joyce, 6/5/2011
Dear Joyce,
I’m a big believer in "if it comes out of the fridge, it goes back in the fridge." But today, there are many imitation products that have the same characteristics as the "real thing." Was it being sold out of refrigeration at room temperature? If the bakery says it’s o.k. to go without refrigeration, then... The rule of thumb for product out of the safe zone (below 40°F) is no longer than a couple of hours. Know your food purveyors.
Heidi
I’m wondering if there are Federal laws governing the cleanliness of food service workers i.e. wait staff, butchers in markets, etc. I recently noticed a young man who sold me some hamburg, that his hands were filthy. When I complained to the manager, he practically laughed in my face. And whatever happened to the requirement for hairnets for food service workers? Thanks! Diane K., 6/5/2011
Dear Diane,
The Feds pretty much leave this up to the states although there are Federal guidelines thru USDA and FDA for businesses. State agencies and local health boards are the governing agencies in the cases you mentioned. Please contact your local Board of Health to voice your issues. They should respond to your concerns immediately. Hair restraints should be in use in all food establishments but again, check with your local officials.
As for your local store, I have a couple of suggestions. First, I would have handed the store manager my package of ground beef and said "no thanks." Then, I’d go to my computer and write a "review" of my recent experience. It’s amazing how virally fast this can get around to future patrons.
Heidi
How can you be sure that someone did not pick out meat and leave it somewhere in the store and an employee puts it back not knowing how long it was out? Will cooking it to 160 degrees kill E. Coli and Salmonella? Houseware Mama, via twitter 5/19/2011
Dear Mama,
This is a difficult but serious situation. You never know for sure if a refrigerated product was left out too long. It can happen in several locations throughout the supply chain. We have to trust our marketers to insure our food supply is safe. These two bacteria can be cooked out of foods. The product should be heated to an internal temperature of 170°F to almost a well done state. Of course, this isn't ideal to most people who prefer a bit of redness in their proteins. Know your meat supplier – it's my best advice.
Heidi
I was affected by a meal at a popular local restaurant, 24 hours of vomiting, cramps, etc. I could barely move. Do I report it? Melinda, 5/18/2011
Dear Melinda,
First, are you feeling better now than at the first signs of being ill? If not, seek medical help to be sure this is under control. Regarding the restaurant, make sure this meal caused your illness. Did anybody else in your party eat the same items and get ill? Call the restaurant immediately and speak to the manager. Tell the manager your situation and ask what to do. If you feel the situation warrants, call the local board of health in the city where the restaurant is located. If you feel this needs more attention, call your state's health department and tell them your situation. Yes, report it so it can be on record.
Heidi
I found a piece of plastic in a bottle of sauce: size 1/2" x 1/4" x 1/8" thick. What should I do about it? Thank you for your time. Patricia W., 5/19/2011
Dear Patricia,
First, I'm assuming nobody is injured. Wash off the foreign piece of plastic and wrap in bag or film. Keep sauce in tact, if refrigerated, keep it so. Now, call the manufacturer and speak to customer service. Don't leave a message. Speak to a live person. Tell them how you found it. They might ask for it back or at least a very good description as well as any lot number or date on the container. If they ask for it back and you prefer to keep it for now, consider taking a few photographs and sending the photos instead. They should offer a replacement and if it's a good customer oriented company, offer you coupons for several more of their products.
Heidi
And a follow-up ... Thank you for your comprehensive reply, except, shortly after sending the question I realized I made a mistake. The plastic piece came from our pepper grinder. I'm so glad it didn't have to do with product contamination. Again, many thanks. Pat, 5/20/2011
I read today that Jennie-O turkey burgers had been recalled. I have a Jennie-O all natural, golden roast, turkey breast. Already cooked. Is this ok to use? Catherine D., 5/6/2011
Dear Catherine,
Raw and cooked products from the same company are usually cooked in different areas of the production facility or in a different plant altogether. If Jennie-O had any questions or concerns about their cooked products, they would have reacted by now. I feel pretty confident that the cooked turkey is o.k. to eat.
Heidi
Why do we cook eggs for immediate service to 145 degrees but we must cook chicken to 165 degrees and we are concerned with Salmonella in both? Kathy B., 5/5/2011
Dear Kathy,
These are guidelines for cooking temperatures that have proven out to be the minimum safe temperatures for consumption. Cooking below these temperatures can promote the growth of bacteria. If you cook eggs or chicken in a microwave, the suggested cooking temperature is 165°F. These temperatures are the guidelines used by restaurants and food processing facilities throughout the country.
Heidi
I was give some evaporated milk with the date of 8-24-10. Would the milk be safe to use or should I throw it away? Thanks for your help. Joyce, 5/5/2011
Dear Joyce,
As I always say, I prefer to err on the side of caution. This is a fairly inexpensive product and "when in doubt, toss it out." I'm sure you'll feel better than serving it to your family.
Heidi
How long can frozen dinners be kept? Suzanne C., 5/3/2011
Dear Suzanne,
Unfortunately, there isn't one answer that can apply to all frozen dinners. There should be handling instructions for frozen as well as the later cooked dinners on the package. If not, look for a phone number on pack to call the manufacturer to ask. Generally speaking, if the frozen product is in a cryovac (air-tight) package, no more than 3-4 months. A product not tightly sealed, less than 2 months. The frozen product may last longer but it may begin "breaking" down and lose some of it's nutritional value.
Heidi
How long is a store bought penne vodka sauce in a glass jar good for after opening and refrigerating? If it has been opened and kept refrigerated for more than two months and someone has eaten it, is there any danger of food poisoning or getting sick from that? Would mold have grown in that sauce but it will not be noticeable since there are green oregano in the sauce, it will be hard to tell? Jenny, 4/30/2011
Dear Jenny,
With the information you've supplied, it's tough to give a scientific reply. Most shelf stable products have a use-by date somewhere on the jar. There should be "handling after opening" instructions also. But, having said that, there is always a chance of bacteria entering the opened jar during service. I'd suggest tossing this jar out. If someone were to get sick, it would probably happen very soon after consumption - usually stomach cramping and diarrhea symptoms. Molds are another issue and come in a variety of colors. Molds shouldn't be any problem. Try to remember my favorite refrigerator expression - "when in doubt, throw it out."
Heidi
Hi Heidi, is there any way Trader Joe's pacific salmon could already be tainted with radiation? Thank you! Chad W., 4/26/2011
Dear Chad,
Good question. Most Pacific salmons originate off the U.S. coast, particularly the northwestern U.S. To date, all radiation monitoring in the U.S. and our territories has proven negative to high levels. I know that Trader Joe's is very sensitive to this situation and is monitoring it closely. As more information becomes available, I will keep my readers updated. Thanks for asking.
Heidi
I discovered this morning that my deep freezer had been left slightly open for 4 days! Of course, everything is thawed out and warm. Is there any chance of saving the meat? Lisa, 4/18/2011
Dear Lisa,
This is a tough call. The meat being thawed out could be ok. When you discovered the meat, was it above 40 degrees Fahrenheit? This is the critical point to determine if the meat is ok to serve. The FDA has determined that proteins cannot be stored above 40 degrees for longer than 4 hours and still be considered safe. These are the rules they impose on foodservice and food manufacturing establishments. I always prefer to err on the side of being safe than that of a gambler. I hope this helps.
Heidi
I absolutely love fresh salmon season every summer. Could the Japanese radiation affect this Summer's Alaska catch? Sam R., 4/7/2011
Dear Sam,
Good question. We all hope the Japanese situation is resolved soon. Vietnam officials announced today that the radiation hasn't hit their waters as their seafood testing is still negative. All experts claim the situation has to become much worse before we see any effects to out hemisphere. Stay tuned. Our website will keep you up to date on the situation.
Heidi
We eat Trader Joe's roasted seaweed snack. It is a product of Korea. Is it safe to eat considering nearby Japan and the radiation problem? Thank you! Kathy E., 3/29/2011
Dear Kathy,
I don't want to comment on any particular product without knowing all of the facts. So I contacted Trader Joe's to give us precise information about the Seaweed product. Their response: "Thank you for contacting us. The seaweed used in this product was harvested a year ago, long before any of the radiation concerns. Thank you for shopping with Trader Joe's."
I'm sure TJ's QA department will stay on top of this situation.
By the way, if you or any friends who shop at Trader Joe's have a wheat allergy, an allergy alert and recall was issued yesterday for Trader Joe's Pizza Al Pollo Asado (Frozen).
Heidi
My local market has my Easter ham on sale this week. Is it too early to buy it for Easter on April 24? Should I freeze it if I buy it tomorrow? Kathy, 3/24/2011
Dear Kathy,
Most hams have lengthy shelf life codes. Just check the package and you can feel assured that it's not too early to buy.
I highly suggest never to freeze a ham. Most hams have water or a liquid injected as a brine. By freezing it, the liquid will expand (liquids expand when frozen, just look at your ice cube tray) and cause the meat to break down and possibly get "mushy."
Thanks for writing and enjoy the holiday with your family.
Heidi
Is it safe to eat imported foods from Japan? What about milk from the US? Carmen, 3/18/2011
Dear Carmen,
First, let us all place our Japanese friends in our prayers. The catastrophe in Japan will have many long range effects on our world for years to come. We hope the radiation threats and fears are eliminated quickly. Our government has several "radiation testing centers" set up along the west coast to monitor any changes to our air quality.
Most foods we import from Japan are processed and packaged. Products here now were probably arrived months ago. These foods would not have received any abnormal radiation levels. Any perishable products shipped within the past week may be questionable.
Our dairy products at this point should be fine. As we monitor and see the radiation levels in the next few weeks, I'll be sure to keep you informed. As with any food products, if you have doubts, throw it out.
Heidi
Where, how, do i get my food handlers permit? Shelby, 3/16/2011
Dear Shelby,
Food handlers' permits are generally issued by the town or city in which the event occurs or the restaurant is located. Start at your town hall where they will probably direct you to the Board of Health. You can also get a start by visiting the website for your town. I'm sure that your town hall employees will be very helpful. Thanks for asking.
Heidi
What is the criteria to determine the sources of nutritional information on the recall of Skippy Peanut Butter (March 5, 2011)? xmaspat, 3/10/2011
Dear Xmaspat,
I'm not sure if I understand your question. Let me give it a try. Nutritional information and a recall due to Salmonella (in any product) have no correlation. Nutritional information is determined through a battery of tests in a certified laboratory. This information is then used on the package.
Salmonella is a classification of bacterial microorganisms. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e. infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.
Heidi
How long is the most persistent, infectious microbe able to infect a diner who takes a carry out container? Is the source: the food itself, the server who spooned it into the container, the forked contamination of the diner or something else? What could the diner do to reduce this threat? Rose, 3/9/2011
Dear Rose,
You asked several very pensive questions. There is a large amount of microbiology to answer in detail. To respond fully will take too much time for our consumer Q & A column. I will tell you to frequent only establishments that are clean and have a professional management staff in sight. If you ever have questions about the sanitation history of a location, the local Board of Health will be able to respond to your concerns. Happy eating.
Heidi
I asked a server at the Longhorn restaurant why their fried potatoes were not on gluten free menu. I was told their potatoes have gluten. Rick H., 3/4/2011
Dear Rick,
My first inclination is that their fries are "breaded" before frying. But, I sent an inquiry to the Longhorn customer service department. They sent back a very polite "form letter" without a direct reply to my question. While we commend the server for being informed, it is unfortunate that we didn't get a better corporate response. In the meantime, continue asking servers about their gluten free offerings.
Heidi
I recently got a piece of venison from a friend. It was frozen so I defrosted it however I had to leave for a month so I left the meat in very salty water for a night, then marinated it in beer the next night, and then I put it back in salty water and put it in the freezer for a month. Would it be safe to eat? It looks very dry and the water has evaporated leaving lots of salt that covers the meat. It doesn't seem to be rotten either and I don't want it to go to waste. Thank you for your help. Nadim, 2/28/2011
Dear Nadim,
There are several issues here:
- a) salt water freezes at various temperatures depending on the amount of salt thereby, possibly not allowing a "solid" freeze on the meat.
- b) you don't know how your friend held the meat previously. Was it frozen at a very fresh stage or after being held for a while?
- c) how sanitary was the kill and slaughter?
- d) your salt brine will dehydrate the meat so it will appear to be very dry.
My recommendation, unfortunately, is you're better off throwing the meat away.
Heidi
If I leave milk on the counter for 6 hours and it is wicked warm can I still drink it? Melissa, 2/22/2011
Dear Melissa,
I guess you forgot to put it away. Temperature is the most important factor. If milk is allowed to warm above 45°F, discard it.
Heidi
My PBJ has a funny smell. Can I still eat it? Kathy, 2/17/2011
Dear Kathy,
If you mean peanut butter and jelly on bread, don't eat it. The "sniff" factor is not always an indicator of whether you should eat it. I would suggest you purchase some new P, B & J and toss the funny smelling items.
Heidi
