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Consumer Food Safety

All Consumer Food Safety Content

Supplies for starting sourdough bread.

Sourdough Starters

Everyone loves a fresh slice of warm sourdough bread. But what is the science behind that crisp and chewy baked good?

Apple cider vinegar label with 5% acidity text circled in green.

Safety Concern with Vinegar Acidity Level in Home Canning

There has been a rising concern regarding home canning and the use of 4% vinegar. Learn some important vinegar safety guidelines from the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

a variety of bright colored fruits and vegetables arranged on a table

A Guide to Drying Foods

Fact sheet about drying foods

Woman preparing fresh herbs for canning in glass jars.

General Kitchen Safety for Food Preservation

Kitchen safety during preservation is just as important as using a safe, evidence-based preservation method. Kitchen cleanliness can affect the safety of the preserved product.

Hand holding meat thermometer to check the doneness of grilled steaks.

Summer Grilling Safety Tips

With the first taste of warm weather comes the itch to get out and grill! Before you fire up the grill this season, here are a few reminders on grilling and food safety.

Butcher helping a customer select meat in a glass cabinet.

Tips for Purchasing and Preparing Turkey, Ham and Prime Rib

From turkey to prime rib, let’s look at some things to consider before you sink your teeth into your next holiday meal.

A roasted turkey in a tinfoil roasting pan.

Preparing Turkey for the Holidays

The holidays often involve preparing turkey. Planning ahead to safely prepare and roast a turkey will relieve some of the cooking stress associated with the holidays. Safe food handling is important for the health of you and your family.

Cubes of lean venison on a plate.

Canning Wild Game

The process for canning wild game is very similar to preserving domesticated animal meat, and it provides a delicious and nutritious way to enjoy wild game well past its hunting season!

A flooded garden

Flooded Gardens

Soil from gardens that were recently flooded may not be safe for growing fruit and vegetables this summer. Depending on the location, flood waters may contain contaminants or disease-causing organisms.

A hand grabbing a loaf of bread from a shelf labeled "gluten-free"

Gluten Free Product Claim Guidance

While “gluten-free” is a voluntary claim that manufacturers may choose to use in the labeling of their foods, FDA’s gluten-free food labeling rule specifies what the claim actually means on a food label.