Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, and Juices

General Information

Produce Safety: Safe Handling of Raw Produce and Fresh-Squeezed Juices (FDA)
Tips and Q&As on buying, storing and preparing fresh produce.

Talking About Juice Safety: What You Need to Know (FDA)
Consuming untreated juices can pose health risks to your family.

Tips

Tips for Fresh Produce Safety
Buying and storing produce to prevent foodborne illness.

Two Simple Steps to Juice Safety
Make sure that juice has been pasteurized or treated to kill harmful bacteria.

Sprouts: What You Should Know
Eating raw sprouts may lead to foodborne illness, especially in susceptible individuals.

Nuts, Grains, and Beans

Nuts, grains, beans, and other legumes, and their by-products, are found in a wide variety of foods. Since these foods are ingredients in so many food products, contamination or mislabeling of allergens can pose a widespread risk. 

Contamination may come from harmful bacteria such as salmonella, some foods in these categories, particularly grains, are also susceptible to chemical environmental risks.

Several of these foods – including tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans – have been classified as major food allergens by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The law requires that all foods are labeled with their ingredients, and that labels clearly identify any of the major food allergens or their protein derivatives.

Learn more by referring to the resources below.

Risks and Contamination

Arsenic in Rice (FDA) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration shares important information on the presence of arsenic, a chemical associated with long-term health effects, in rice. Find out what you should do, and what steps the FDA is taking.

Salmonella in Peanut Butter (CDC) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the presence of Salmonella bacteria in certain samples of peanut butter and other nut products beginning September 2012. Find details about their investigation and read their advice to consumers.

Recalled Peanut Product Database (FDA) Search this database to learn if any peanut products in your pantry have been affected by the multi-state Salmonella outbreak.

2009 Peanut Product Recall (FDA) In March 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requested a recall on certain products containing peanuts due to a contamination threat.  Find details about the investigation and read advice to consumers.

General Allergy Information

Food Allergy Information (FDA) Learn about major food allergens, labeling, and what to do if symptoms occur.

Flour, Raw Dough, and Raw Batter

Flour Safety Basics

• Do not eat or play with flour, raw dough , or raw batter that is intended to be cooked.
• Do not use flour in items that are not intended to be cooked.
• If you or someone you are cooking for has a food allergy, carefully check the labels of any flour or baking mixes you plan to use.

People often understand that it is dangerous to eat raw eggs because of the risk of Salmonella, but eggs aren’t the only potential carrier of foodborne illness in raw dough or batter. Raw flour may be contaminated with harmful bacteria such as E. coli.

Flour can be made from a variety of grains, nuts, and legumes including wheat, soy, tree nuts, and peanuts, all four of which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies as major food allergens. Manufacturers are legally required to list ingredients and clearly identify any major allergens (or their protein derivatives) on the labels of food products.

Cooking with Flour

Throw out recalled products

• Although CDC closed its investigation into the E. coli outbreak, continued illness from recalled products is expected due to the long shelf life of flour and baking mixes.
• Check CDC’s recall page that lists all affected products. Throw out any flour or baking mixes on the recall list.
• If you stored recalled flour in a reusable container, be sure to thoroughly wash and sanitize the container before using it again.
• If you are unsure if the flour is included in the recall, throw out the product.

Separate flour, raw dough, or raw batter

• Keep raw foods, including any flour products, separate from other foods while preparing them to prevent cross-contamination before cooking.
• Use separate bowls, measuring cups, and utensils for flour, raw dough, and raw batter.

Bake it before you bite it

• Do not eat or play with flour, raw dough, or raw batter.
• Do not add flour to foods that will not be cooked, such as milkshakes, ice-cream mixes.
• Do not taste flour, raw dough, or raw batter. Eating even a small amount can make you sick.
• Bake/cook items containing flour, raw dough, or raw batter thoroughly before eating them, including flour used for thickening.
• Follow package directions on mixes for proper cooking temperatures and times.

Keep it cool and clean

• Refrigerate baked goods containing fillings (such as cream) promptly after making or purchasing them to prevent illness-causing bacteria from growing.
• Wash any bowls, utensils, and other surfaces that were used when baking with hot water and soap. The surfaces to be cleaned may extend beyond the immediate work area, because flour is powdery and tends to spread.
• Wash your hands with water and soap after baking.

Baby Food and Infant Formula

Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to foodborne illness because their immune systems are not developed enough to fight off infections. That's why extra care should be taken when handling and preparing their food and formula.

Baby Food      

The most important action that you can take to prevent foodborne illness in your babies and children is to wash your hands. Your hands can pick up harmful bacteria from pets, raw foods (meat, poultry, seafood, eggs), soil, and diapers.

Always wash your hands:

• Before and after handling food
• After using the bathroom, changing diapers, or handling pets.

Other ways to keep your baby’s food safe:

• Check the packaging of commercial baby food before serving: The following may indicate that the food is contaminated or at risk of bacterial contamination:
  • For jars: Make sure that the safety button on the lid is down. Discard any jars that don’t “pop” when opened or that have chipped glass or rusty lids.
  • For plastic pouches: Discard any packages that are swelling or leaking.
• Don’t “double dip” with baby food: Never put baby food in the refrigerator if the baby doesn’t finish it. Your best bet: Don’t feed your baby directly from the jar of baby food. Instead, put a small serving of food on a clean dish and refrigerate the remaining food in the jar. If the baby needs more food, use a clean spoon to serve another portion. Throw away any food in the dish that’s not eaten. If you do feed a baby from a jar, always discard any remaining food.
• Don’t share spoons: Don’t put the baby’s spoon in your mouth or anyone else’s mouth – or vice versa. If you want to demonstrate eating for your baby, get a separate serving dish and spoon for yourselv.
• Never leave any open containers of liquid or pureed baby food out at room temperature for more than two hours: Harmful bacteria grows rapidly in food at room temperature.
• Store opened baby food in the refrigerator for no more than three days: If you’re not sure that the food is safe, remember this saying: “If in doubt, throw it out.”

General Information on Baby Food

Once Baby Arrives: Food Safety for Moms-to-Be (FDA)
Do’s and don’ts for feeding your baby, plus tips on microwaving baby food and when to call the doctor. 

Infant Formula

If you’re the parent or caretaker of an infant, you’ve probably heard that breast milk is the best source of nutrition for infants. In situations in which it’s not possible to breastfeed an infant, you may choose to use a commercially prepared infant formula.

Why can’t I give my baby cow’s milk?

Cow's milk by itself is not appropriate for infants less than 1 year old. Cow’s milk does not have the correct balance of nutrients for infants to grow and develop normally, and it can cause problems with anemia and kidney function.

Raw milk is never appropriate for infants – or anyone else. It should not be consumed by anyone at any time for any purpose. Raw milk can harbor dangerous microorganisms, such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, that can pose serious health risks.

But isn’t formula made from cow’s milk?

Most infant formula is made with cow's milk, but it has been modified and supplemented with additional nutrients. As a result, the formula is more nutritious and easier for the baby to digest than cow’s milk. Other formula options include soy-based formulas and hypoallergenic (or protein hydrolysate and amino acid-based) formulas. Special formulas are available for babies who are premature or have other health problems.

How does the government regulate infant formula?

The FDA does not approve infant formulas before they can be marketed. All formulas marketed in the United States, however, must meet Federal nutrient requirements. The FDA also monitors infant formula, which means that it inspects facilities that manufacture formula and analyzes samples.

What can I do to make sure that formula is safe for my baby?

Here are a few basic steps that you can follow to ensure that formula is safe from bacteria that can cause illness.

• Prepare safe water for mixing: Bring tap water to a roiling boil and boil it for one minute. If you use bottled water, follow this same process unless the label indicates that it is sterile. Then, cool the water quickly to body temperature before mixing the formula.
• Use clean bottles and nipples: You may want to sterilize bottles and nipples before first use. After that, it’s safe to wash them by hand or in a dishwasher.
• Don't make more formula than you will need: Formula can become contaminated during preparation, and bacteria can multiply quickly if formula is improperly stored. Your best bet: prepare formula in smaller quantities on an as-needed basis to greatly reduce the possibility of contamination. And always follow the label instructions for mixing formula.

General Information on Infant Formula

Infant Formulas (NIH MedlinePlus)
Trusted information on types of formula, recommendations, and side effects of improper use.

FDA 101: Infant Formula (FDA)
The basics on types of formula, along with safety tips and instructions for reporting problems.

Safe Preparation, Storage and Handling of Powdered Infant Formula (World Health Organization)
Guidelines on infant formula in English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, and Japanese.

Pet Food

Many people don’t realize that the basic principles of food safety apply to their pets’ foods too. For example, pet food or treats contaminated with Salmonella can cause infections in dogs and cats. And contaminated pet food that is not handled properly can cause serious illness in people too, especially children.

If you’re a pet owner, one of the most important things you can do to keep your pets, your family, and yourself safe from foodborne illness is to wash your hands:

• Before and after handling pet foods and treats, wash your hands for 20 seconds with hot running water and soap. (Tip: Sing “Happy Birthday” twice to time yourself.)
• After petting, touching, handling, or feeding your pet, and especially after contact with feces, wash your hands for 20 seconds.
• Wash hands before preparing your own food and before eating.

Because infants and children are especially susceptible to foodborne illness, keep them away from areas where you feed your pets. Never allow them to touch or eat pet food.

General Information

Safe Handling Tips for Pet Foods and Treats (FDA)
Pets can get food poisoning, too. How to buy, prepare, and store pet food to avoid contamination.

Pet Food (FDA)
Details on how the FDA ensures that pet foods are properly labeled and contain safe ingredients.

FDA 101: Animal Feed (FDA)
Yes: Pet food, including dry and canned food and pet treats, is considered animal feed.

How to Report a Pet Food Complaint (FDA)
Before you contact the FDA, review this checklist on the pet food product and any symptoms your pet may have.

Think Food Safety (FDA)
We know to wash our hands before eating dinner and after using the bathroom, but what about after handling pet food?

Salmonella and Dry Pet Food

Salmonella from Dry Pet Food and Treats (CDC)
Follow these tips to help prevent an infection with Salmonella from handling dry pet food and treats.

Podcast: Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Getting a Salmonella Infection from Dry Pet Food
Listen to the podcast or read the script (2:56 minutes)

Concerns Related to Specific Recalls

Check the Food Safety widget to get the latest recalls on pet food and animal feed, as well as other food recalls.

Melamine Pet Food Recall of 2007 (FDA)
Certain pet foods contaminated with melamine were sickening and killing cats and dogs in 2007.

Caution to Dog Owners About Chicken Jerky Products (FDA)
Chicken jerky products such as chicken tenders, strips, or treats may cause illnesses in dogs.

Questions and Answers: Human Illness (Salmonella) Associated with Dry Pet Food (CDC)
In 2007, Salmonella linked to dry pet food sickened 62 people in 18 states.