Gluten

You may have heard of celiac disease, or maybe you or someone you know has it. Celiac disease is an autoimmune reaction to eating foods containing wheat, rye or barley. The treatment for the disease is complete avoidance of these foods, also known as a gluten free diet.

This is both easier and more complicated than it sounds. French fries are gluten-free, unless they happen to come from a certain yellow-arched eatery that serves billions and billions, as their fries contain wheat (and milk and added flavor). Corn tortilla chips are gluten-free, unless they come from a certain fast-food outlet loosely based on Tex-Mex cuisine and a hollow metallic device that gives off a reverberating sound when struck, which puts wheat in the recipe to help hold the chips together.

The things you learn being married to someone who is gluten intolerant. This week, we'll take a look at gluten.

TTFN, Fred.

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Gluten

FightBAC Separate

This week we'll continue the four-part presentation from Fight BAC!® with SEPARATE. No, not like separating whites from yolks, but rather separating items to avoid cross-contamination, a leading cause of foodborne illness. As you're aware, it's the transfer of harmful bacteria to food from improperly handled cutting boards, utensils, other foods or your hands.

Like the lyrics in that old song from Three Dog Night, "separate, separate, don't mix cooked and raw". Or something like that.

TTFN, Fred.

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Fightbac Separate Factsht

FightBAC Clean

WASHINGTON, May 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Research findings for a national study conducted by the Partnership for Food Safety Education reveal that despite the fact that a majority of adults feel confident they understand and follow food handling procedures, a sizable number do not consistently follow certain safe food handling practices. The study also revealed that a majority of adults (83 percent) are interested in learning more about safe food handling procedures. Providing this education could reduce the incidence of foodborne illness, which continues to represent a significant public health threat.

Everyone in the food system can do their part to help ensure the safety of food. Informed consumers can help extend the precautions taken by industry and government by becoming educated on how to buy, prepare and store food safely.

This week we'll begin a four-part presentation courtesy of the fine folks at The Partnership for Food Safety Education. The first principle of Fight BAC!® is CLEAN!

TTFN, Fred.


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Fightbac Clean Factsht

The ABCs of Safety

June is National Safety Month and this year the focus is on "Celebrating Safe Communities". A safe community comes together to promote safe and healthy behaviors that protect people from hurt and harm in all aspects of their lives.

A person inhabits many different communities throughout the day – work, home and every stop in-between. The National Safety Council encourages businesses and individuals to take advantage of the safety education we provide, and reduce the risk of unintentional injury and death in everyday life.

TTFN, Fred.

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