Check back every Wednesday in December for more food safety tips, wellness activities, and recipe suggestions for the Holiday Season!

Food Gift Safety

A homemade gift is not only unique, but it can also be delicious! Follow these helpful tips to keep food gifts safe! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Sarah Sowders (FCS Agent) at sahesing@ncsu.edu. Have a wonderful and safe holiday season!

Baked Goods

• Many baked goods, like breads and cookies, can be stored at room temperature. Keep covered to prevent contamination.
• Baked goods with cream, custard, cheese, meat and/or vegetable fillings, and cream frostings should be refrigerated.

Infused Alcohol

Infused liquor recipes have not been tested for safety. Produce may introduce bacteria into alcohol that the alcohol may or may not kill.

• Wash glass jars or bottles in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes to sanitize.
• Select high-quality fresh or dried herbs, fruits, or vegetables and wash them before use.
• Refrigerate or freeze infused alcohol.

Butters

For safety and quality, follow tested recipes.

• Butters are made by cooking fruit pulp with sugar to a thick, spreadable consistency. These spreads can be made from fruit such as apples, grapes, peaches, and pears.
• Butters made from pumpkins and sweet potatoes should never be canned due to the high risk of botulism. Always refrigerate these kinds of butters and consume them within a week.

Infused Oils

For safety, follow tested recipes. Pretreat garlic or herbs with citric acid and add to heated oil.

• Wash glass jars or bottles in warm, soapy water and submerge them in boiling water for 10 minutes to sanitize.
• Select high-quality fresh or dried herbs, fruits, or vegetables and wash them before use.
• Refrigerate or freeze infused oils.