Home Food Safety

Did you know that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year roughly 1 in 6 Americans (or 48 million people) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases each year?

Food safety is a major public health priority. Foodborne illness is common and costly but can be prevented.

Online Courses (Some are currently being revised/updated)

  1. Farmers’ Market Consumer / Shoppers: What to Look For
    This online course is designed to help educate shoppers on what to look for at Farmers’ Markets. You will find shopping tips and handouts to make your shopping trip successful and safe.
  2. Texas Cottage Food Law Course                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  The Texas Cottage Food Law allows residents to prepare and sell specific foods from an unlicensed residential (home) kitchen. This online course is designed to educate people who want to start a cottage food production operation out of their residence in Texas
  3. Cottage Food Law: What Consumers Should Know
    This online course addresses information a consumer needs to know, as well as questions to ask, to make informed decisions when purchasing food products from a Cottage Food Production Operation or Cottage Food Business.
  4. Understanding the Dates on Food Labels
    Dates are placed on food labels for a variety of reasons. This online course will help you learn the differences between dates often seen on products/packages at your local retail stores.

Farmers Market Resources

Cottage Food Production Resources

Home Food Preservation

National Center for Home Food Preservation 

Disaster/Emergency Preparedness

Other Consumer Food Safety Resources

Additional Links

COVID-19 Food Safety Resources

The following sites provide resources for best practices for preparing for COVID-19 in relation to food safety and managing risk for individuals at home and the community. There is a wide range of information for consumers, many are in Spanish.

Food Safety To Go – Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Food Safety tips on Curbside delivery, take out, and leftovers.

Covid-19 Materials – NC State Extension

Covid-19 Resources – Purdue

Fresh Produce and Covid-19 – Partnership for Food Safety Education

Handwashing and Household Disinfecting

Proper Handwashing video (Covid-19 guidance is to scrub/lather for 20 seconds)

Household Disinfecting Solution for COVID19

Household Disinfecting Solution for COVID19 (Spanish)

EPA  List N: Approved Disinfectants for use against SARS-CoV-2

Face Coverings (You should still practice social distancing and handwashing if wearing face coverings)

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