Food Safety
Can you eat it? Is it safe to eat? Get answers about food safety, raw foods, and eating practices.
10 questions answered
The CDC estimates that 48 million Americans get sick from foodborne illness each year, resulting in 128,000 hospitalizations. Many cases are preventable with proper food handling. Understanding which foods carry higher risk, how temperature affects bacterial growth, and when visual or smell cues are reliable can significantly reduce your exposure.
Our food safety articles cover specific scenarios—eating bruised fruit, consuming raw foods, using items past their labeled dates—with answers grounded in USDA and FDA guidelines. We distinguish between genuine safety risks (raw chicken, improperly stored deli meat) and common misconceptions (brown avocado, slightly past-date yogurt).
Top Questions
Can You Eat Brown Avocado?
Yes, brown avocado is safe to eat. The brown color is caused by oxidation (exposure to air), not spoilage. It may taste ...
Read answerCan You Eat Food After the Expiration Date?
Many foods are safe to eat after the printed date. Most dates are about quality, not safety. 'Best by' and 'sell by' dat...
Read answerCan You Eat Orange Peels?
Yes, orange peels are safe to eat and highly nutritious—they contain more fiber and vitamin C than the fruit inside. The...
Read answerCan You Eat Potato Skin?
Yes, potato skin is safe and nutritious. It contains fiber, potassium, iron, and B vitamins—much of the potato's nutriti...
Read answerCan You Eat Raw Bacon?
No, you should not eat raw American-style bacon. Although bacon is cured (preserved with salt and nitrates), it is not f...
Read answerCan You Eat Raw Broccoli?
Yes, raw broccoli is safe and nutritious to eat. It's crunchy, slightly bitter, and contains more vitamin C and certain ...
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