Florida Food Safety 101: How to produce safer veggies

October 11, 2007
Topic(s): Agriculture, Crops, Families and Consumers, Food Safety, Safety

By:
Stu Hutson 352-392-0400

Source:
Keith Schneider keiths29@ufl.edu, 352-392-1991 ext. 309

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — From fast food to dog food — new cases of contaminated cuisine seem to be a regular part of the modern news cycle. Tomatoes haven’t escaped mention in the ever-growing list, but the likelihood of their reappearance is about to shrink.

The Sunshine State produces half the fresh tomatoes eaten in the United States. The task requires more than 30,000 farm workers, growers and packers — all of whom will be required to undergo training in food safety practices developed by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and the Florida Tomato Exchange, in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. (more…)

Swim diapers may not keep pool water clean, UF experts say

July 10, 2007
Topic(s): Families and Consumers, Safety

By:
Tom Nordlie (352) 392-0400

Source(s):
Fred Southwick southfs@medmac.ufl.edu, 352-392-4058
Keith Schneider keiths29@ufl.edu, 352-871-0440
Patti Gilmer info@mypoolpal.com, 770-532-2034

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Swimming is good, clean summer fun for small children—but University of Florida experts caution that swim diapers won’t necessarily keep the water clean, and that could spell trouble if sick kids go in the pool.

A common illness called Norovirus infection can cause vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. And for children suffering from such an infection that last symptom can render swim diapers ineffective, said Fred Southwick, a professor and chief of the infectious disease division at UF’s College of Medicine. (more…)

Allergy-free protein shows hope for a risk-free peanut

December 4, 2006
Topic(s): Agriculture, Families and Consumers, Food Safety, New Technology, Nutrition, Safety

By:
Stu Hutson 352-392-0400

Source(s):
Maria Gallo mgm@ufl.edu, 352-273-8124

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — For nearly 3 million Americans, the most dangerous aspect to air travel is the complimentary in-flight snack. Every year, about 150 people are killed by a common ingredient of a first-grader’s brown bag lunch.

Peanut allergies are the most common and often the most severe of all food allergies, but now researchers from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences may have taken an important first step toward creating a non-allergenic peanut. (more…)