WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF A POWER FAILURE
*The freezer compartment should be opened only if
absolutely necessary, and then for the shortest possible time.
*A full freezer will stay at a satisfactory
temperature for about two days. However, fewer items mean faster thawing time.
*Be sure your freezer is plugged in
properly. Check to see if a fuse is blown.
*If the power will be off for several days,
purchase dry ice or take frozen food to a commercial freezer or locker. Use about 25
pounds of dry ice for every 10 cubic feet of space to keep your freezer temperature low
for two to four days. Pack newspaper around frozen foods and then add dry ice.
Wear gloves when handling the dry ice and use care to avoid freezer burn. Avoid
using large quantities of dry ice in poorly ventilated areas.
*If food is partially thawed, but still has some
ice crystals, it usually can be refrozen. However, fish, meats, and other foods in
cream sauces, frozen dinners, cream cakes and cream pies are best used immediately or
discarded.
*If food is completely thawed, but still cold to
the touch, used the food immediately or dispose of it.
TIPS FOR BUYING THE FRESHEST FROZENS
*In order to ensure that your frozen food
selections will taste the freshest, there are certain guidelines you should remember when
selecting items from the frozen food aisle. The frozen food industry does have a
strict Code of recommended practices for all frozen food handlers, but consumers should
still keep the following tips in mind.
*Select packages that are clean and firm.
Discolored packages and large amounts of frost may mean that the package has not been kept
at the appropriate temperature during storage.
*Only buy ice-free, undamaged packages.
*Make the frozen food department your last stop
in the supermarket.
*Pack all frozen foods together to help maintain
their cold temperature.
*Return home immediately from the supermarket and
place all foods in the freezer.
*Buy frozen foods from a store with an orderly,
well-managed frozen food section.
*Put a purchase date on all frozen food products,
then rotate foods, putting newly purchased items in the back of the freezer. Use
products on a "first in, first out" basis.
Courtesy of U.S. Cold
Storage
Microwave
Oven Safety, Usage Tips & Trends
Courtesy of U.S. Cold Storage
Practically everyone
uses the microwave these days. Its speed fits perfectly with today's busy life-style. And
the frozen food department in your supermarket has kept pace with the times by providing
an unlimited variety of frozen foods you can microwave, from breakfast to dessert. Frozen
foods and the microwave offer delicious and nutritious meals in minutes.
MICROWAVE
DO'S & DON'TS
Do's
 | Do read package directions carefully.
Different brands have different cooking specifications.
|
| Do read recipes ahead of time. If you
plan to use frozen food as an ingredient, the recipe may call for a thawed product.
|
| Do be aware of whether your microwave
oven has a longer or shorter cooking time than the average.
|
| Do use frozen food immediately if it
has thawed but is still cold to the touch. Be aware that the cooking time will be much
shorter than specified on the package.
|
| Do teach youngsters who like to cook
how to correctly and confidently use the microwave oven. Keep in mind that although
containers are not heated by microwaves, they will absorb heat from hot foods.
|
| Do buy frozen foods in dual oven
trays and cooking bags so they can be cooked easily in the microwave.
|
| Do place cooking bags on a
microwave-safe plate and cut a slit in the bag's center, or pressure will build-up and the
bag may burst.
|
| Do keep your microwave oven clean,
since any drippings affect the efficient operation of microwave energy. A messy microwave
oven will cook more slowly and unevenly.
|
| Do consult your microwave's
directions for any limitations on heating TV dinners in metal trays.
|
Don'ts
| Don't add an extension cord to the
microwave oven's own cord. Microwave ovens should use a separate 110 grounded circuit.
|
| Don't deep fat fry foods or cook
foods from home preserving since the microwave's temperature cannot be controlled
properly.
|
| Don't use plastic wrappings from
purchased refrigerated foods in a microwave oven since they may melt.
|
| Don't connect other appliances to the
same circuit. Reduced electrical energy affects cooking and may harm the microwave.
|
| Don't use unsafe/non-microwaveable
containers. Either the containers or the microwave itself may be damaged.
|
Commonly
Asked Dairy Questions
Courtesy of Crowley Foods
How do I
read the sell-by date on the product?
The most
important part of the information on the product is the actual date listed on the package.
This is the date the store should SELL the PRODUCT BY; you should not buy a product after
the date listed on the package.
How long are dairy products good for
once I open them?
Most dairy products remain
fresh for 5 - 7 days after they are opened.
What temperature should I store my dairy products at?
ALWAYS be
sure to keep dairy products refrigerated at temperatures between 36 - 40 degrees. NEVER
store dairy products above 45 degrees.
What
is Lactose Intolerance?
People
suffering from Lactose Intolerance do not produce enough lactase, the enzyme that digests
the main sugar in milk, and experience adverse reactions to milk consumption. Because the
milk sugar they consume can not be totally digested and absorbed, gas, bloating or
diarrhea may result.
How can I get enough calcium if I am Lactose Intolerant?
There are
many lactose reduced or lactose free milks available for people suffering from lactose
intolerance. Also, many people can eat other forms of dairy products, such as yogurt, to
get enough calcium.
What are the active cultures in yogurt?
Yogurt
contains many live yogurt Cultures, such as L. acidophilus, B. bifidus, S. thermophilus,
and L. bulgaricus, which aid in digestion, help boost the immune system, and help to
relieve some vaginal infections.
Why
do I need calcium in my diet?
Calcium is
one of the body's most important minerals. It plays a key role in building and keeping
strong, healthy bones, helping muscles to function properly, helping blood to clot, and
helping nerves to send messages throughout the body. When the body does not get enough
calcium, the chances of getting osteoporosis greatly increase. A diet with adequate
calcium has also been shown to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and other serious
diseases.
How can I get more calcium in my diet?
To get your
Recommended Daily Allowance of calcium, you should make sure to consume three servings a
day. Dairy products are a great, delicious, easy way to make sure that you get enough
calcium. One serving equals:
* 8 oz. milk
* 8 oz. yogurt
* 1 oz. natural cheese
* 2 oz. processed cheese
