Pick up know-how for tackling diseases, pests and weeds.
Farm bill, farm marketing, agribusiness webinars, & farm policy.
Find tactics for healthy livestock and sound forages.
Scheduling and methods of irrigation.
Explore our Extension locations around the state.
Commercial row crop production in Arkansas.
Agriculture weed management resources.
Use virtual and real tools to improve critical calculations for farms and ranches.
Learn to ID forages and more.
Explore our research locations around the state.
Get the latest research results from our county agents.
Our programs include aquaculture, diagnostics, and energy conservation.
Keep our food, fiber and fuel supplies safe from disaster.
Private, Commercial & Non-commercial training and education.
Specialty crops including turfgrass, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals.
Find educational resources and get youth engaged in agriculture.
Gaining garden smarts and sharing skills.
Timely tips for the Arkansas home gardener.
Creating beauty in and around the home.
Maintenance calendar, and best practices.
Coaxing the best produce from asparagus to zucchini.
What’s wrong with my plants? The clinic can help.
Featured trees, vines, shrubs and flowers.
Ask our experts plant, animal, or insect questions.
Enjoying the sweet fruits of your labor.
Herbs, native plants, & reference desk QA.
Growing together from youth to maturity.
Crapemyrtles, hydrangeas, hort glossary, and weed ID databases.
Get beekeeping, honey production, and class information.
Grow a pollinator-friendly garden.
Schedule these timely events on your gardening calendar.
Equipping individuals to lead organizations, communities, and regions.
Guiding communities and regions toward vibrant and sustainable futures.
Guiding entrepreneurs from concept to profit.
Position your business to compete for government contracts.
Find trends, opportunities and impacts.
Providing unbiased information to enable educated votes on critical issues.
Increase your knowledge of public issues & get involved.
Research-based connection to government and policy issues.
Support Arkansas local food initiatives.
Read about our efforts.
Preparing for and recovering from disasters.
Licensing for forestry and wildlife professionals.
Preserving water quality and quantity.
Cleaner air for healthier living.
Firewood & bioenergy resources.
Managing a complex forest ecosystem.
Read about nature across Arkansas and the U.S.
Learn to manage wildlife on your land.
Soil quality and its use here in Arkansas.
Learn to ID unwanted plant and animal visitors.
Timely updates from our specialists.
Eating right and staying healthy.
Ensuring safe meals.
Take charge of your well-being.
Cooking with Arkansas foods.
Making the most of your money.
Making sound choices for families and ourselves.
Nurturing our future.
Get tips for food, fitness, finance, and more!
Understanding aging and its effects.
Giving back to the community.
Managing safely when disaster strikes.
Listen to our latest episode!
By the U of A System Division of Agriculture May 10, 2017
Fast facts:
(560 words)(Download a MS Word version of this story here.)
LITTLE ROCK – Flooding can threaten lives in many ways, even after rivers return to their banks as water can contaminate homes and food and water supplies with disease organisms, dirt and chemicals, said food safety experts with the Cooperative Extension Service.
“Floods are devastating to homes and property and food safety is one of the many things to deal with after a flood,” said Rosemary Rodibaugh, extension specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and associate department head-Family and Consumer Sciences.
“Nobody wants to throw away food that they have purchased, or hunted, fished, grown, preserved or frozen,” she said, but “floodwaters contain diseasecausing organisms that can contaminate food.”
Rodibaugh said, “If you are not sure if the food was directly exposed and is safe for consumption, it is safer to throw out the food: ‘If in doubt, throw it out.”
What to keep, what to toss
If any of the following food items were exposed, or even possibly exposed or splashed with flood waters, they should be discarded.
Commercially prepared foods in metal cans and “retort pouches,” such as flexible, shelf-stable juices, that are undamaged must be thoroughly washed and disinfected.
Throw away any damaged cans or pouches, including those with dents, leaks, swelling, punctures, fractures, or extensive deep rusting.
Rinse the containers with safe drinking water, if available, and then sanitize them by placing them in water, bringing the water to a boil, and then boiling for two minutes. Or, place the containers in a freshly made solution of one tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of safe water for 15 minutes. Air dry them for at least one hour before either opening or storing them. Use the food as soon as possible.
“You’ll also need to sanitize cooking utensils, pans, dishes, glasses, and silverware exposed to flood water,” Rodibaugh said.
Thoroughly wash metal pans, ceramic dishes, glasses and utensils, including can openers, with soap and water, using hot water if available.
Rinse and then sanitize them by boiling in clean water or immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water, or the cleanest, clearest water available.
As above, thoroughly wash countertops with soap and water, using hot water if available. Rinse, and then sanitize by applying a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water (or the cleanest, clearest water available). Allow to air dry.
Discard wooden and plastic utensils, storage containers and cutting boards made of porous material that can absorb water, cracked or chipped dishes, baby nipples, pacifiers, and any other porous nonfood items that are used with food.
Download “Keep Food and Water Safe During Power Outages and Floods,” FSFCS01, at http://bit.ly/2qLrn6x.
For more information on food safety or dealing with disasters such as flooding, see: https://uaex.uada.edu/life-skills-wellness/food-safety/ and https://uaex.uada.edu/life-skills-wellness/emergency-preparedness.aspx or contact you county extension office.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
# # #
Media Contact: Mary HightowerDir. of Communication ServicesU of A Division of AgricultureCooperative Extension Service(501) 671-2126mhightower@uada.edu
Related Links