Fun in the Sun and Food Safety: Take Steps to Prevent a Food Disaster this Independence Day

Lansing, MI—With the 4^th of July right around the corner, many Michiganders are preparing to celebrate with picnics and barbecues. However, improper handling of your food can spoil the fun for you and your loved ones. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 6 Americans suffer from foodborne illnesses each year. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) urges Michiganders to practice safe food handling while having fun in the sun during the holiday weekend and beyond. Following these simple tips will keep your outdoor eating fun and safe:

• Practice good hand hygiene while preparing and handling food: Wash your hands before and after cooking to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria. Your hands should also be cleansed before eating. This can be done using soap and water, hand sanitizer, or sanitizing hand wipes.
• Prepare foods the correct way: Always follow the cooking instructions on food labels to ensure your food is safe and tasty. Meats, such as chicken and steak, must be thoroughly cooked to kill any bacteria that may be on them. Use a food thermometer to guarantee they are cooked properly.
• Keep foods at an appropriate temperature: Food can reach a temperature ‘danger zone’ (between 40°F (4°C) – 140°F (60°C)) where germs begin to grow rapidly. To prevent foods from falling within this range, maintain the proper temperature of a meal after cooking. Using a heat source, like a warming tray ora slow cooker, is a great way to keep your hot meals warm. On the other hand, ice packs and insulated containers are needed to protect cold foods from the summer heat.

• Don’t forget to store leftovers in a safe manner: Using proper storage methods for leftover food guarantees you’ll be enjoying the barbecue for days to come. Place leftovers in shallow containers and refrigerate promptly to allow quick cooling. Make sure your refrigerator is set to 40°F (4°C) or below and your freezer to 0°F (-18°C) or below by using an appliance thermometer. Food kept too long can grow harmful bacteria. To avoid eating spoiled leftovers, throw out food after a certain amount of time. Know how long you can store specific foods by checking this Safe Storage Times chart.

If you suspect you’ve eaten spoiled food or a contracted foodborne illness, please seek immediate medical attention and contact your local health department as soon as possible for assistance.

Being able to enjoy your 4^th of July starts with safe food practices. For more information about food safety, visit www.foodsafety.gov.

MDARD Reminds Owners to Help Keep Their Animals Cool and Safe as Temperatures Rise

Feeling hot? Chances are your animals are too

LANSING, MI—As temperatures rise into the 90s in many parts of the state, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reminding owners on some of the best ways to keep animals cool and safe.

“When temperatures rise, keeping animals cool and hydrated is essential to their overall health,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland, DVM, MS, DACVPM. “While it is important to recognize the signs of heat stress in animals, it is even more critical to prevent this stress from occurring. Michiganders can follow six easy steps to help keep animals cool and safe.”

Keep animals safe from the heat by following these tips:

• Let it Flow: Provide unlimited cool, clean, fresh water

Just like people, animals can quickly get parched in hot temperatures. No matter the species, animals should have access to unlimited cool, clean, fresh water to prevent dehydration. Also, if out in public, bring along some hydration options for your animal and avoid using shared/communal water bowls.

• Know Their Limits: An animal’s ability to tolerate heat varies

An animal’s age, breed, type of coat, and health history can all play a role in their ability to tolerate the heat. Keep an eye on them for signs of heat stress—like increased panting or drooling and being more lethargic. If they are showing these signs, it is time to immediately move them to a cooler area.

Also, consider talking to your veterinarian. They will have a greater knowledge of your animal(s) and be able to give more specific guidance on how to best handle them in hot weather.

• Happy Paws: Test surfaces to make sure they won’t burn paws

Surfaces like asphalt, concrete, and sand can really heat up in the sun, which can burn paws—or at least make a walk very uncomfortable. To test if a surface is too hot, touch it with the palm of your hand. If it is too hot for you, consider taking a different route that is mostly grass or waiting until the evening when everything has had a chance to cool.

• Look Before They Splash: Avoid harmful algal blooms (HABs) in bodies of water

HABs form due to a rapid growth of cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, which are naturally found in lakes, rivers, and ponds. To prevent illness in animals, keep them out of areas with scums or discolored water, rinse them off after contact with any lake water, and bring clean, fresh water for them to drink. If an animal becomes sick after contact with a suspected HAB, call your veterinarian right away.

Also, animal illness due to HABs is reportable to MDARD. To report cases, submit a Reportable Disease Form or call 800-292-3939. In addition, to report any suspicious looking algae, please email [email protected].

• Get in Gear: Parked vehicles are not places to park pets

Even when temperatures feel more moderate, vehicles can heat up very quickly, creating dangerous conditions for the animals left inside. Leaving windows cracked open and/or parking in the shade do little to improve the situation. In these conditions, it is best to leave pets at home when you need to go out and about.

• A Place to Chill: Make sure animals have a place to cool down

Animals know when they are too hot and will usually try to find a place where they can cool down. Make sure they have access to shade, fans, misters, pools, cooling mats, and/or air-conditioned spaces to help them stay comfortable.

Following these tips can help keep your animals cool and comfortable through any heat wave. If there are any concerns about your animals’ health either now or throughout the summer months, please talk to your veterinarian.

MDARD Awards Nearly $55,000 in Grants for Horticulture Research in Michigan

Funding invests in projects to support sustainable agriculture practices, support the growth of the state’s horticulture industry

LANSING – Today, the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDARD) announced the three recipients of the 2024 Horticulture Fund Grant designed to support Michigan’s approximately $1.4 billion nursery and ornamental horticulture industry.

“These grants are another way MDARD is making investments in supporting sustainable agriculture, healthier communities, and cultivating resilience to our changing world,” said MDARD Director Dr. Tim Boring. “Research is a fundamental part to ensuring the long-term success of Michigan’s nursey and ornamental horticulture industry.”

The department received seven proposals. Of those, MDARD awarded the three following projects, totaling a $54,953 investment:

• Rodney Fernandez, Professor, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University
  • Ensuring water security through the reduction of nitrogen and pesticides in agricultural wastewater.
• Debalina Saha, Assistant Professor, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University
  • Comparing the effects of organic versus synthetic herbicides for liverwort control and the effect on nursery production.
• Younsuk Dong, Assistant Professor, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University
  • Improving irrigation management in Christmas tree production through loT-based sensor monitoring technology and irrigation scheduling.

Selected grant projects must fall under one of three categories:

• Applied Research: Crop management systems that enhance industry profitability while being environmentally and socially responsible and provide long-term benefits to Michigan’s nursery and ornamental horticulture industry.
• Basic Research: Research generating knowledge that can be used to address contemporary problems and/or enable the future development and implementation of improved techniques or processes.
• Outreach/Training/Demonstration: Activities focused on assisting Michigan’s nursery and ornamental horticultural industries.

The proposals were evaluated by the Horticulture Fund Advisory Committee through a competitive process.

For additional information about MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division, visit www.michigan.gov/mdard/plant-pest.

MDARD offers guidance on creating tick-safe zones around the home

LANSING. – As warmer weather approaches, so does the increased risk of tick encounters, posing potential health threats to people and pets enjoying outdoor activities. That’s why the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) offers advice on how to create tick-safe zones around your home.

There are over 20 known tick species in Michigan. Most often, they survive by feeding on wildlife. Several species of ticks are known to bite people and pets; and the insects may harbor dangerous bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Not all ticks carry diseases, but tick-related diseases (including Lyme disease) do occur in Michigan and can be serious or fatal if not properly diagnosed and treated.

“Using insect repellents while outdoors and checking for ticks after being outdoors are common ways to prevent tick bites on people and pets, but other strategies can help reduce ticks around your homes without using pesticides,” said Steve Carlson, MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director. “Integrated pest management, commonly referred to as IPM, uses multiple, systematic methods to minimize the impact of pests on people and property, while safeguarding the environment.”

Here are some simple IPM techniques to help reduce tick populations around your home:

• Clear tall grasses and brush around homes and at the edge of lawns.
• Place a 3-foot-wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns, wooded areas, patios, and play equipment. This will restrict tick migration into recreational areas.
• Maintain short grass in lawns and keep leaves raked.
• Stack wood neatly in a dry area to discourage rodents that ticks feed on.
• Keep playground equipment, decks, and patios away from yard edges and trees. If possible, place these items in a sunny location.

If you do choose to use pesticides, follow these safety tips:

• Always follow label directions and wear the personal protective equipment specified on the label.
• Store pesticides in their original containers with proper labels.
• Keep pesticides locked up and out of the reach of children and pets.
• Use the amount specified on the label. Using additional product will not be more effective and may harm you, your pets, and/or the environment.
• Wash clothes that have been in contact with pesticides separately.
• Wash hands with soap and water after using a pesticide, including insect repellents.
• Use the Environmental Protection Agency’s search tool to find a repellent product that is right for you.

If you are interested in hiring a pesticide applicator to manage pests for you, choose a firm licensed by MDARD. Licensed firms meet the necessary education and experience requirements and employ pesticide applicators who have passed MDARD’s proficiency examinations. Their training and experience will help prevent accidental pesticide misuse that could harm people, pets, livestock, and the environment.

For additional information about ticks, including how to identify and remove a tick, visit the MDHHS website. Learn more about pesticide safety at Michigan.gov/MDARD.