The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Found in 1930, it regulates food, drugs, dietary supplements, blood products, biological medical products, radiation emitting devices, medical devices, cosmetics and veterinary products. More than 25% of the US gross national product is regulated by the FDA.

It has released some dietary guidelines:

1.    Cooking- as per the guideline, the food has to be cooked above minimum temperature so as to kill bacteria and harmful parasite. This is especially important in case of beef, pork, veal, fresh pork, and raw ham and egg dishes.

2.    Temperature check- While refrigerating and freezing food stuff, store the food for the advised time limit. This prevents the food from spoiling or becoming toxic. While the frozen food can be stored for a longer time, refrigerated foods have a shorter life.

3.    Fish food- Certain sea foods have high content of mercury. Bearing in mind the harmful effects of mercury, intake of sea food should be in a controlled amount.

• Shrimp, canned tuna, light tuna, salmon, pallock and catfish are low in mercury content. Having at least 12 ounces a week of these is a safe.

• Albacore or white tuna is higher in mercury content than light tuna. A dirt comprising of 6 ounces of albacore tuna is perfect per week.

• Avoid sea foods like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish as they are high in mercury content.

• While having local fish caught from the neighboring coastal area and water bodies, check with the local advisories. In case there is no recommendation, stick to just 6 ounces per week diet and do not consume some other fish.

4.    Eggs- It is safe to use liquid or frozen egg substitutes in recipes that won’t be cooked. But while using natural eggs, follow the given guidelines.

• When an egg is being fried, poached, boiled, or baked, cook till both the white and the yolk are firm.

• Scrambled eggs should also be cook until firm.

• Egg mixtures should be cooked till the centre of the mixture reaches 160° F

5.    Raw milk-  Raw milk can cause infections as it contains many harmful bacteria. Pasteurization kills these bacteria’s and makes the milk safe for consuming.

6.    Storage tips-

• Store fresh fruits and vegetables separately from meat products, poultry, eggs and seafood.

• Store food items like half watermelons, and beef by surrounding them in ice.

• Store fresh fruits and vegetables (like strawberries, lettuce, herbs, and mushrooms) which are free form preservatives in a clean refrigerator at a temperature below 40° F

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