Family and Consumer Sciences

Home Canning and Botulism

Botulism can be controlled in home-canned foods if home canners are made aware of the dangers and how to prevent it.  More.....

Cottage Food Legislation Signed Into Law

During the 2011 Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature enacted House Bill 7209 allowing individuals to manufacture, sell and store certain types of "cottage food" products in an unlicensed home kitchen.  More.....

Current Topics

Free Testing of Presto Pressure Dial Gauge Canners

You can now bring your Presto Pressure Dial Gauge Canners to the Extension Office to have them tested. We recommend that they be tested each year prior to canning season. Please contact Heidi Copeland at copelandhe@leoncountyfl.gov to set up an appointment to have your canner tested.

Starting Your Own Food Business

You decide you want to sell your extra eggs, jams, jellies, relish, and salsa you have made from the abundance of your garden.  You should be aware of the state regulations regarding food preparation for human consumption are outlined in Florida Statutes, Chapter 500 (http://www.freshfromflorida.com/fs/permitrq.html), more commonly referred to as the Florida Food Safety Act.  More.....

Bed Bug Tips for Parents

With school being out for the summer and people traveling and staying in motels--everyone should be on the look out for bed bugs.  With bed bugs showing up more in homes lately, here are some much needed tips for parents.  More.....(pdf 197kb)

Head Lice

Signs of head lice are:  frequent head scratching, complaints of an itchy scalp/head, redness behind ears or on back of the neck.  More.....(pdf 436kb)

Update on Bisphenol A for Use in Food Contact Applications

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical that has been present in many hard plastic bottles and metal-based food and beverage cans since the 1960s.  More.....(pdf 52kb)

Identity Theft

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America.   More...

To Your Health!  Food Safety for Seniors

Seniors have a lifetime of experience shopping, preparing and eating food.   More...(pdf 851kb)