FOOD SAFETY

Shutdown limits FDA oversight

Due to the recent government shutdown in the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration has been inspecting food on a limited basis. Although the FDA doesn’t oversee meat and poultry inspections, fruits and vegetables could be susceptible to contamination because of the lack of funding for routine safety inspections, it said. Here are some tips to help you avoid illness-causing bacteria or harmful pesticides:

• Rinse under cold running water for at least 30 seconds.

• Wash foods with peels. n Dry before eating.

STUDY

Alcohol triggers migraines

According to a new study conducted by the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands, some patients who experience migraines reported that alcohol was a trigger. The study found that 35.6 percent of migraine patients reported alcohol triggered it. Participants also reported that wine - especially red wine — was the most common trigger (77.8 percent of participants) among alcoholic beverages for migraines.

FUN FACT

Pricing of eggs

There is usually a price difference between white and brown eggs because of the types of chickens that lay the eggs, according to www.bestfoodfacts.org. White eggs are laid by chickens with white feathers and white ear lobes, while brown eggs are laid by red-feathered chickens with red ear lobes. Red chickens are larger and eat more.

— More Content Now

EASY RECIPE

Mrs. LeVaux’s All-Purpose Dressing

My wife is convinced that every homemade salad dressing needs more salt, and I think she may have a point. Her go-to dressing is basically oil and vinegar, plus a bunch of soy sauce.

This dressing is especially good on bitter vegetables, like radicchio. The flavors of the dressing engage those of the greens on many levels, disarming and charming them, “leafing” you wanting more.

• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil

• ½ cup soy sauce

• ¼ cup cider vinegar

• ¼ cup lime or lemon juice

• ¼ cup balsamic

Combine ingredients, dress or dip salad. If dipping, replenish oil as necessary.