food safety

Can You Put a Pizza Box in the Oven? Discovering the Safe and Surprising Truths

July 22, 2025ting

Reheating pizza by putting the whole pizza box in the oven is not recommended. Most pizza boxes are made of cardboard, which can catch fire at high temperatures. Heating cardboard can release toxins into…

Raw chicken breasts and small rib-side meat strips on a white cutting board with a knife and food thermometer

What Is Chicken with Rib Meat?

July 21, 2025June 13, 2026ting

Chicken with rib meat usually means boneless breast meat with a small rib side strip attached. It is still raw chicken and should be handled cold and cooked to 165 F.

Unbranded almond milk cartons on a tray with a refrigerator storage cue

Does Almond Milk Need to Be Refrigerated?

July 20, 2025June 14, 2026ting

Shelf stable almond milk does not need refrigeration before opening, but refrigerated almond milk and opened cartons should stay cold and covered.

Carrots on a tray with visible freshness and spoilage-check details

Do Carrots Go Bad?

July 15, 2025June 14, 2026ting

Carrots do go bad. Discard carrots that are slimy, moldy, mushy, sour smelling, or leaking; limp carrots may still be usable if they are otherwise sound.

Sliced lunch meat in a clear container beside an ice pack and refrigerator thermometer

How Long Can Lunch Meat Sit Out?

July 14, 2025June 12, 2026ting

Lunch meat should not sit out longer than 2 hours. If the room, car, picnic table, or party tray is above 90 degrees F, use 1 hour.

Raw flour tortilla cooking in a cast iron skillet beside a stack of uncooked tortillas

Raw Tortillas: How to Cook and Use Them

July 14, 2025June 12, 2026ting

Raw tortillas need cooking before serving unless the package clearly says they are ready to eat. Cook them on a hot skillet until set, flexible, and lightly browned.

Burger Temperature Chart: Ensuring Perfect Juiciness and Safety

July 12, 2025July 12, 2025ting

Burgers can be prepared in different ways, just like steak. Cooking burgers correctly is important to prevent foodborne illnesses. The minimum safe temperature for ground beef is 160 degrees Fahrenheit (FTD). Some burgers may…

Pepperoni pizza slices reheating in an open air fryer basket

Reheat Pizza in Air Fryer

July 12, 2025June 14, 2026ting

An air fryer reheats pizza quickly because hot air crisps the crust while melting the cheese. Start with moderate heat and check early.

Plate of cooked shrimp with tails on, a small pile of removed shrimp tails, lemon, and dipping sauce

Can You Eat Shrimp Tails?

July 11, 2025June 13, 2026ting

Cooked shrimp tails are edible, but they are tough and sometimes sharp. Leave them on for presentation or flavor, and remove them when easy eating matters.