"Ice cream, ice cream!" many of us would shout when we heard the music playing from the ice cream truck. How can you forget hearing that distinct carnival sounding music, begging your parents for money and running out to get a summer time treat? These food trucks were basically meant…

Cold weather is firmly in place and with the decrease in temperature, comes a change in the types of foods we may consume. Our taste buds tend to crave more soups, stews and hearty casseroles during these cold winter days.

When we think of cold weather we often…

The Hospitality Concept and Health Care Food Service

The long term care industry provides meal services to thousands of residents daily.  Providing a meal service that complies with state and federal regulations can be daunting.  It is easy to get so caught up with meeting regulations and day…

CDC Announces Updated Guidelines for Isolation Precautions

Preventing transmission of infectious agents in healthcare settings 2007

The Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings 2007 updates and expands the 1996 Guideline for Isolation Precautions in Hospitals. The transition of healthcare…

Liberalized Renal Diets in Long-Term Care FacilitiesThe American Dietetic Association recommends that long-term care facilities liberalize therapeutic diets to maximize meal intake of residents who are at nutritional risk. In many cases a regular diet improves meal intake, minimizes struggles over dietary compliance, and improves a patient’s quality of life. …

Salmonella Contamination in Pistachios and Pistachio ProductsSetton Pistachio, the nation's second-largest pistachio processor which sells nuts to Kraft Foods and 35 other wholesalers across the country, has recalled more than 2 million pounds of nuts over fears of possible salmonella contamination.  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states California-based Setton…

This is the time of year to finish up the harvesting of the garden. Long term care facilities often choose to have a garden on the campus for residents to enjoy the benefits of home grown foods. The question often arises, “Can nursing homes use the food harvested from their…

December is national eggnog month. The question is can you safely serve eggnog at your next holiday party without having 911 on speed dial? The answer is yes, with the appropriate precautions.

Pasteurized shell eggs are a great solution but not everyone has ready access to them. The…

According to studies, omega-3 fatty acids, also known as polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), have numerous health benefits and help reduce risks of certain chronic diseases. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important in brain function, normal growth and development of fetus, according to some research.  Although the body does not make them,…

Springtime is a wonderful time of year especially for those of us who live where it is frigid and cold most of the winter. As the trees bloom and the grass gets greener, we begin thinking of all the outside activities we will be able to enjoy again in…