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Aug 12, 2026
The Food Safety Extension Network has released a collaborative disaster recovery guide to help consumers safely handle food and water following emergencies and natural disasters. The resource provides practical information on topics such as food safety during power outages, assessing refrigerated and frozen foods, water safety, cleanup procedures, and preventing foodborne illness after a disaster. [Read more...]
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Jul 10, 2026
There is an ongoing multi-state outbreak of cyclosporiasis - an illness caused by a pathogen called Cyclospora. The Ohio Department of Health reported 177 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases statewide. [Read more...]
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Jul 22, 2024
Do you know the ins and outs of selling homemade food in Ohio? Join Family and Consumer Sciences Food Safety Field Specialist Nicole Arnold, Assistant Professor Emily Marrison, and former Ohio Dept. of Ag inspector Katie Stolte-Carroll, for monthly virtual Q&A sessions to engage with new and experienced home-based food producers. Each webinar will briefly introduce various topics and allow time for discussion. [Read more...]
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Sep 1, 2023
As of September 1, 2023, the Center for Foodborne Illness Research and Prevention (CFI) will no longer be a part of the Department of Food Science and Technology at The Ohio State University. The Director of CFI, Dr. Barbara Kowalcyk, has moved to George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health. Her new email address is barbara.kowalcyk@gwu.edu.
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Aug 17, 2023
It was recently reported that an Australian woman unknowingly served relatives a lunch of beef Wellington using dried poisonous mushrooms. The dried mushrooms are thought to be “death cap” (Amanita phalloides) mushrooms, which are deadly. The incident resulted in three deaths and one individual in critical condition. Although the investigation is still ongoing, police suspect the consumption of the “death cap” mushroom was the cause of victims’ food poisoning and eventual death.
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Jun 6, 2023
Is it a good idea to wash bagged greens for extra safety? In honor of World Food Safety Day tomorrow (June 7th), we would like to take this opportunity to help set the record straight on washing bagged greens....
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May 16, 2023
Hepatitis A is a very contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), resulting in an inflammation of the liver.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state public health and regulatory officials such as the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are "investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A transmission linked to frozen organic strawberries imported from certain farms located in Baja California, Mexico, by a common supplier" (CDC, 2023).
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May 9, 2023
The CDC has provided guidelines and considerations for preparing a safe and healthy water supply at home in preparation for outbreaks and emergencies. Ensure your emergency water supply is created safely and stored properly because, during a water-related emergency or outbreak, safe drinking water may not be available. Prepare for an emergency by creating and storing a supply of water that will meet your family’s needs!
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May 4, 2023
What does “cross-contamination” mean? We hear it all the time, but it can be confusing! The CONTACT Project Team with Camryn Cook from Virginia Tech is here to #ClarifyTheConfusing about what cross-contamination is and what you can do about it! Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CzxGVMvgqKw.
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Apr 27, 2023
“USDA is taking science-based, decisive action to drive down Salmonella illnesses linked to poultry products,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Today’s proposal represents the first step in a broader effort to control Salmonella contamination in all poultry products, as well as a continued commitment to protecting American consumers from foodborne illness.”
The Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) define “adulterated food” to be a food that “bears or contains any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render it injurious to health; by in case the substance is not an added substance, such article cannot be considered adulterated under this clause if the quantity of such substance in or on such article does not ordinarily render it injurious to health.”
