Articles
Articles
Articles Guidelines for Producing Unpasteurized Cider in Pennsylvania
Luke LaBorde, Ph.D., Robert Crassweller, Ph.D.
This publication explains how to follow established food safety and sanitation standards that minimize the risk for contamination. More
Articles Mushroom GAPs Audit and FSMA Resources
Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
This article lists the information and resources needed to meet Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) standards specific for the mushroom industry. More
Articles FSMA Produce Safety and Preventive Controls Regulations: How Do They Apply?
Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
This article reviews the basics for Produce Safety and Preventive Controls and provides some information on how they may affect the mushroom industry. More
Articles Method for Validating Thermal Sanitization of Mushroom Disk Slicing Equipment
Luke LaBorde, Ph.D., Ramaswamy C. Anantheswaran, Hilary Tobin
This study demonstrates the feasibility of thermal sanitization treatment to eliminate L. monocytogenes at niche sites within slicer heads without requiring complete disassembly. More
Articles Dark and Light Mushroom Peat Casing Soils Suppress Populations of Listeria and Salmonella
Luke LaBorde, Ph.D., Rachel O’Patchen
Studies show that when light peat is replaced with dark peat that contains lower microbial levels, developing plants tend to become more susceptible to diseases. More
Articles Eradicating Listeria Monocytogenes From Mushroom Slicing and Packaging Environments
Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
Now is the time for the mushroom industry to take all possible measures to minimize risks for Listeria contamination. More
Articles Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food
Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
Part of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the goal of the Sanitary Transportation rule is to prevent practices during transportation that create food safety risks. More
List of Co-packers and Manufacturers in Pennsylvania and Beyond
Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
A co-packer, or co-manufacturer, is an established food company that processes and packages your product according to your specifications. More
Articles Food Entrepreneurs
Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
Are you looking to start a new food business? Are you an existing business looking for information on how to maximize your profitability? More
State and Federal Regulations for Food Processors
Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
Regulations vary from state to state. Here we provide resources from Pennsylvania and Federal sources. Check with your state Department of Agriculture or local Health Department to determine which regulations you need to follow. More
Articles Tools for Writing a Farm Food Safety Plan
Lee Stivers, Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
Penn State Extension offers a set of templates, checklist and logs, to assist farmers of fresh fruits and vegetables in writing farm food safety plans. More
Articles Understanding FSMA: The Produce Safety Rule
Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
Discussion of farming activities and produce covered in the Produce Safety Rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), key requirements, possible exemptions, and deadlines for compliance. More
Produce that is or is not covered under the FSMA Produce Safety Rule
Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
Find out which produce is covered or not covered under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) - Produce Safety Rule. More
Articles Making Cider Vinegar at Home
Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
Two factors require special attention when making vinegar at home: oxygen supply and temperature. More
Articles Let's Preserve: Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes
Martha Zepp, Andy Hirneisen, MA, Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
For canning potatoes, select the “waxy” or “boiling” kinds. Most red-skin potatoes are suitable, and many white or gold round new potatoes with thin skins work well, too. More
Articles Let's Preserve: Root Vegetables - Beets, Carrots, Turnips, and Rutabagas
Martha Zepp, Andy Hirneisen, MA, Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
Root vegetables must be processed in a pressure canner. They cannot be safely canned in a boiling water bath or atmospheric steam canner. More
Articles Let's Preserve: Soup
Martha Zepp, Andy Hirneisen, MA, Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
The convenience of prepared soup makes cooking and meal planning easier. Freezing and canning preservation methods are explained. More
Articles Preserving Soup Safely
Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
Learn about safe methods for canning or freezing soup at home. More
Articles Produce Safety Rule Exemptions Flow Chart
Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
Graphic discussion of farming activities and produce covered in the Produce Safety Rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), key requirements, possible exemptions, and deadlines for compliance. More
Articles FSMA Preventive Controls Rule Exemptions
Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
You know that at least some of your food products are covered under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule. Use this flow chart to find out if you are eligible for any exemptions. More
Articles Food Safety Modernization Act - Preventive Controls for Animal Feed Rule
Ginger D Fenton, PhD, Robert J. Van Saun, DVM, MS, PhD, Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
Learn the details and find educational resources on the FSMA Animal Feed Rule, including videos and training opportunities that address requirements, exemptions, and deadlines of the rule. More
Articles Food Safety Modernization Act - Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule
Martin Bucknavage, Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
Learn the details and find educational resources on the FSMA Human Food Rule, including videos and training opportunities that address requirements, exemptions, and deadlines of the rule. More
Articles Food Safety Modernization Act - Produce Safety Rule
Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
Learn the details and find educational resources on the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, including videos and training opportunities that address requirements, exemptions, and deadlines of the rule. More
Articles Canning and Freezing Questions and Answers
Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
The following are some commonly asked food preservation questions (with their answers) More
Articles Food Safety Questions and Answers
Luke LaBorde, Ph.D.
Commonly asked home owner food safety questions. More