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From Washington State University Extension, welcome to Food Safety in a Minute.
Preparing for an earthquake starts with learning, planning, and creating a plan for your family. This week, we’re highlighting two key resources. The first is “Two Weeks Ready” from the Washington Emergency Management Division. Available online, it covers public safety locations, alternate driving routes from work, steps to take during and after an earthquake, and essential supplies like extra batteries, food, and water. It also encourages learning about emergency plans at work and school.
Oregon State University Extension Service also offers an online guide for Family Emergency Preparedness. It includes guidance on earthquake readiness, building emergency kits, sanitation, waste management, and food and water storage.
Check the episode transcript for both resource links. Preparation for earthquakes is important. 
Thanks for listening, I’m Susie Craig.

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Resources

Emergency Management Division – Washington. Two Week Ready. https://www.shakeout.org/washington/downloads/2_Weeks_Ready_Insert_Seattle_OEM.pdf

Oregon State University Extension Service. Family Emergency Preparedness. https://extension.oregonstate.edu/families-health/emergency-prep/

FSM 338: Earthquake Preparedness: Use Research-Based Resources

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Thanks for listening to Food Safety in a Minute. 
Don't forget to include your “fur babies” and other beloved pets in your earthquake preparedness plans. Ready.gov, part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, offers a helpful guide called Prepare Your Pets for Disasters, available online in twelve languages.
Here are some essentials they recommend for your pet’s emergency kit:
•	A two-week supply of food in an air-tight, waterproof container.
•	At least one gallon of water per day for two weeks.
•	Sanitation items such as pet litter, paper towels, and plastic trash bags. 
•	A photo of you and your pet in case you get separated.
•	And a favorite toy, treats, and bedding. 

Also, microchip your pets and keep your contact information up to date—just in case!

From Washington State University Extension, I’m Susie Craig.

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Resources

United States Department of Homeland Security. Ready Campaign – Prepare Your Pets for Disasters. https://www.ready.gov/pets.

FSM 339: Earthquake Preparedness: Take Care of Your Pets

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Welcome to Food Safety in Minute.
What do cereals, snack foods, candy, olives, soda and even some yogurts have in common? Many contain petroleum-based synthetic food dyes. On April 22nd, the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration announced plans to phase out petroleum-based synthetic food dyes.  
Food processors are working with Federal agencies to re-formulate food products with natural alternatives. The alternatives include calcium phosphate used in ready-to-eat chicken products, white candy melts, and sugar on coated candies. Galdieria extract blue, gardenia blue, and butterfly pea flower may be approved for use, soon. 
In the future, look for the establishment of national standards with a timeline, as well as authorization of new natural color additives. 
Thanks for listening, I’m Susie Craig from Washington State University Extension.


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Resources

Federal Register: Daily Journal of the United States Government. Listing of Color Additives Exempt from Certification’ Calcium Phosphate. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/05/12/2025-08249/listing-of-color-additives-exempt-from-certification-calcium-phosphate. Accessed online 5/19/25. 

Food Safety Tech. 4/23/25. HHS, FDA to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes in Foods. https://foodsafetytech.com/news_article/hhs-fda-to-phase-out-petroleum-based-synthetic-dyes-in-foods/. Accessed online 5/18/25.

FSM 340: Phase Out of Petroleum-Based Synthetic Food Dyes

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From Washington State University Extension, this is Food Safety in a Minute
Did you know there are at least 360 naturally occurring chemicals in strawberries? Sugars  including glucose, fructose, and sucrose, minerals such as potassium, and vitamins including folate and vitamin C. They also contain naturally occurring chemicals, some of which may pose health risks. For example, salicylates can trigger allergic-like reactions. In some soil conditions, strawberries can uptake cadmium or lead in trace amounts. In processed strawberry jam, furan is produced, classified as a possible human carcinogen. 
Food is chemically complex. A recent article, May 2025 in the New England Journal of Medicine found more than 139,000 chemicals in food. For perspective, the USDA tracks 150 nutritional components, 13 on our labels. There is much to learn. 
Thanks for listening, I’m Susie Craig.


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Resources

Menichetti, Giulia, A Barnabas and J. Loscalzo. Chemical Complexity of Food and Implications for Therapeutics. New England Journal of Medicine. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra2413243

FSM 341: What’s in a Strawberry–Naturally Occurring Chemicals

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This is Susie Craig for Food Safety in a Minute.
The chemicals in the food we eat are more than the carbohydrates, lipids, protein, vitamins, minerals, and additives listed on a food label. Much more.  Researchers at Harvard, Northeastern, and Central European University recently reviewed data from the Nutrition Dark Matter library revealing more than 139,000 chemicals in 3,000 common foods. 
This is complex, emerging science identifying how the composition of food we eat may influence our health and disease. Currently, about 2,000 chemicals found in food are used as drugs. For instance, the origins of aspirin are traced back to salicylic acid found in willow bark and some fruits and vegetables, including strawberries. Lovastatin is linked to chemicals found in red yeast rice. 
From Washington State University Extension, this is Food Safety in a Minute.


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Resources

American Chemistry Council. Chemical SafetyFacts.org. The Sweet Chemistry of Five Summer Fruits (8/18/22). https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/health-and-safety/the-sweet-chemistry-of-five-summer-fruits/. Accessed online 5/29/25.

Menichetti, Giulia, A Barnabas and J. Loscalzo. Chemical Complexity of Food and Implications for Therapeutics. New England Journal of Medicine. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra2413243

FSM 342: Chemicals in Food – Friend or Foe

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For Food Safety in a Minute, I’m Susie Craig.
It may surprise you, scientists don’t know that much about the naturally occurring chemical make-up of our food. Nutrition research has historically focused on protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. Though researchers have identified 139,000 molecules in food, scientists do not know if they are absorbed, how they are metabolized in our bodies, to which protein they bind, and what cellular processes they affect.   
Consider the complexity of the chemicals and food along with the complexity of how our bodies metabolize and use those chemicals. With research focused on chemical mapping of foods paired with artificial intelligence, it’s possible nutritional science will be revolutionized, new drugs from food chemicals will be developed. Food is Medicine. 
From Washington State University Extension, this Food Safety in a Minute.


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Resources

Menichetti, Giulia, A Barnabas and J. Loscalzo. Chemical Complexity of Food and Implications for Therapeutics. New England Journal of Medicine. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra2413243

FSM 343: Learning about Chemicals Found Naturally in Food

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From Washington State University Extension, welcome to Food Safety in a Minute.
Did you know since 2022, 175 million chickens, turkeys and other birds have been culled to stop the spread of bird flu also called avian influenza? The USDA has spent a billion dollars compensating farmers for culled flocks. For consumers this means shortages along with higher egg prices, poultry prices, and increased imports of eggs. 
Bird flu is on-going, one of the worst animal health issues on record. Recently, the USDA announced spending up to $100 million for research leading to a vaccine or other treatments to contain and stop bird flu. The National Chicken Council, United Egg Producers Industry group and others are also working to find safe, timely solutions. 
I’m Susie Craig. Thanks for listening.

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Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bird Flu. https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/. Accessed online 7/25/25. 
Polansek, Tom. Exclusive: USDA Develops Potential Plan to Vaccinate Poultry for Bird Flu. Reuters (6/20/25). https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/usda-develops-potential-plan-vaccinate-poultry-bird-flu-2025-06-20/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=rasa_io&utm_campaign=newsletter. Accessed online 6/25/25.

FSM 344: Bird Flu – What It Means to Consumers

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From Washington State University Extension, this is Susie Craig.
Do you have backyard chickens? Bird flu is spreading from birds to cows, and though rare to people. So far, most human cases of bird flu have been mild, in people exposed to infected animals. The infection lasts from a few days to two weeks. 
If you’re around poultry, cows, or raw, unpasteurized milk, get medical help immediately if you experience eye redness, fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, or shortness of breath. Eye redness is often the first symptom. Symptoms may be mild to severe, and two to five days after exposure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend seeking immediate medical attention with symptoms. Antiviral treatment works best when started within the first two days.
You’ve been listening to Food Safety in a Minute from Washington State University Extension. 

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Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bird Flu. https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/. Accessed online 6/25/25. 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Signs and Symptoms of Bird Flu in People. (12/20/24). https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/signs-symptoms/index.html. Accessed online. 6/26/25.

FSM 345: Bird Flu – Signs and Symptoms in People

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This is Food Safety in a Minute with Expert Tips from Susie Craig.

Given the price of eggs, are you thinking about a backyard chicken coop? “Don’t wing it,” says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Carefully consider whether backyard chickens are a good fit. 

Before getting birds:
•	Check neighborhood regulations.
•	Research breeds and supplies used to care for them.
•	Secure an outdoor coop with heat source and fire alarm.
•	Locate poultry veterinarians and university Extension experts.
•	Pick a location for young birds easily cleaned and disinfected. 
•	Secure bedding, feed and supplements, feeder, and water.
•	Purchase cleaning supplies including brushes, soap and disinfectants made especially for poultry. 
•	Identify and take steps to keep you and your family safe; Work gloves, hand washing, using a dedicated pair of shoes. 

From Washington State University Extension, this is Food Safety in a Minute.


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Resources

Starting a Flock? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/media/pdfs/2024/07/DFWED_Backyard-Flock-Checklist_508.pdf. Accessed online 6/27/25.

FSM 346: Backyard Poultry: Things to Know before Starting a Flock

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This is Susie Craig. Welcome to Food Safety in a Minute.
Backyard chickens are often central to family life and your food budget. With the ongoing outbreak of bird flu, however, consumers have important responsibilities protecting birds, their families, and potential spread to commercial flocks. There have been confirmed cases of bird flu in backyard flocks, likely spread to your flock by wild birds. 
Learn what it takes to raise poultry successfully and safely. Search online for Defend the Flock Resource Center from the United States Department of Agriculture. Resources are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Arabic. They include checklists for your backyard coop, tips to keep your flock healthy, and checklists to protect your flock against wild birds, rodents, and insects. 

From Washington State University Extension, I’m Susie Craig.


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Resources

United States Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Defend the Flock Resource Center. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/media/pdfs/2024/07/DFWED_Backyard-Flock-Checklist_508.pdf. Accessed online 6/28/25.

FSM 347: Backyard Poultry:  Ensuring Your Health and the Health of Your Flock

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