Food Safety and Quality | Extension | University of Nevada, Reno

Practical food safety and quality advice you can trust

Providing information, programs and training grounded in research to help Nevada's people, agencies and businesses improve food safety and quality.

Featured Programs

Master Gardeners of Washoe County

Master Gardeners of Clark County

Desert Demonstration Garden

Featured Informational Publication

Nevada Native Plant Nurseries and Seed Suppliers

Here's our comprehensive list of native plant nurseries and seed suppliers for Nevada.

Read more about this Informational Publication

All Food Safety & Quality Programs

Biggest Little Pollinator Garden

The Biggest Little Pollinator Garden is located on the campus of University of Nevada, Reno near the Fleischmann Agriculture Building. The garden is maintained by U.S. Fish and Wildlife; University Arboretum Board; University Facilities; University Museum of Natural History; Nevada Bugs and Butterflies; College of Science; and College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources faculty, staff, students and volunteers.

Botanic Gardens

Extension's 7 acre outdoor educational Botanic Gardens surround the Extension office at 8050 Paradise Road in Las Vegas. The Plant Collection of the Botanic Gardens contains approximately 4,500 plants, most of which are desert-adapted and well-suited to the xeric conditions of southern Nevada. All plant selections and designs are water-smart in accordance with SNWA restrictions. The Botanic Gardens are curated and managed by the Botanic Garden Manager.

Carson City Community Garden

The Community Garden began in 2001 and allows community members who don’t have room for a vegetable garden to rent a 4-by-16-foot garden bed for $40 a season at a 25-bed garden complex located at 1044 Beverly Drive, Carson City, NV. Applications open in 2024!

Commercial Landscape Horticulture

Classes offer training for green industry workers, including some bilingual classes, on how to landscape in the Nevada desert

Desert Demonstration Garden

Extension's Pahrump Master Gardener Volunteers maintain the Desert Demonstration Garden, which features landscape and fruit trees, shrubs and plants suitable for the Mojave Desert climate, plus seasonal vegetable beds to show what you can grow to feed yourself and your family. The garden is free and open to the public.

Desert Green, Commercial Water Conservation Training

Desert Green is in its eleventh year and is designed to educate commercial clientele in the Green Industry as well as others who have an interest in water conservation issues. A committee representing the industry implements the training. Desert Green is chaired by one industry representative and one Extension representative. The program is presented once a year, with 36 classes taught in a two-day period.

Desert-Adapted/Native Plants Garden

The Desert-Adapted/Native Plants Garden is located at the Extension, Clark County Logandale Office. It is designed to show people what trees, shrubs and other plants grow well locally. It is set up for self-guided tours. Enjoy the black locust, honey locust, sweet acacia, shoestring acacia, chir pine, forest pansy redbud, chaste tree, coolibah eucalyptus, golden rain and a lacebark Chinese elm trees.

Green Industry Training

A workforce development program to train green industry professionals, who receive continuing education units for pesticide applicator, ISA-certified arborist and Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper

Grow Your Own, Nevada!

Learn the secrets of high desert gardening

Pink, yellow, and purple native flowers in landscape surrounded by rock terrace landscaping

Home Horticulture Certificate Program

The Home Horticulture Certificate Program was developed by the University of Nevada, Reno Extension Horticulture team to provide basic horticulture education to homeowners, educators, and anyone interested in learning more about the Nevada landscapes, plants, and more.

Garden plant and pest sprayers image by Olga Seifutdinova from Getty Images

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management program is a long-term management strategy that uses a combination of tactics to reduce pests to tolerable levels with potentially lower costs for the pest manager and minimal effect on the environment.

Master Gardener Native Plants Demonstration Garden

Members of the Master Gardeners of Washoe County's Native Plants Committee maintain a small demonstration garden on the west side of Extension, Washoe County Office.

Master Gardeners of Clark County

Serving Clark, Lincoln and Southern Nye counties gardening needs.

Master Gardeners of Nevada

Program trains local gardeners to provide research-based horticulture information to Nevadans

Master Gardeners of Washoe County

Master Gardeners provide free, research-based horticulture information to Nevadans.

Nevada Desert Bioscape

Extension’s Desert Bioscape program takes a holistic approach to conserving natural resources in an urban setting. This program targets adult learners in the green industry of southern Nevada. The program uses the successful Correctional Horticultural program as a model for development.

Pesticide Safety Education Program

Extension’s Pesticide Safety Education Program provides web-based training for pesticide applicators seeking to apply restricted and general use pesticides safely, properly and according to the law. Pesticide licensure and certification is administered by the Nevada Department of Agriculture.

Pollinator Week

Events aimed at educating people about the importance of pollinators will be held locally, including in-person gatherings, webinars, and garden-planting activities.

Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL)

Training will provide participants with local water, soil and plant information, basic and advanced irrigation principles and hands-on water audit skills they can use in the field

Master Gardener taking grape inspection notes on a clipboard

Research Center & Demonstration Orchard

Researching new varieties of fruit producing trees, vines and other plant materials in sustainable ways for the Mojave Desert climate.

Food Related News Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...


2023 Nevada Small Agriculture Conference Tentative Agenda The Nevada Small Agriculture Conference is being coordinated by Nevada Farm Bureau members with the assistance of the University of Nevada, Reno Extension and Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (WSARE). It will be held on August 25-26, 2023 at the Santa Fe Station in Las Vegas, NV. Chapin, K. 2023, University of Nevada, Reno Extension
Alternative Marketing Options for Nevada’s Livestock Producers Food safety concerns and the separation between producers and consumers are related, as the insecurity consumers feel regarding food safety stems from the numerous channels food products pass through before reaching the final consumer, especially in the case of imported products. Cowee, M. and Curtis, K. 2008, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Application of bacteriophages on beef trim decreases loads of Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli (STEC) in ground beef This fact sheet contains extensive information on the benefits of bacteriophages on beef trim. Shebs, E.L., Torres, E.S., de Mello, A.S. 2019, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno FS 19-02
Application of MS bacteriophages on contaminated trimmings reduces Escherichia coli O157 and non-O157 in ground beef Shebs-Maurine, E.S., Torres,E .S., Yeh-Parker, de Mello, A.S. 2020, Meat Science
Buying Local: Perceptions of High-End Chefs in Nevada According to the National Restaurant Association (NRA), Nevada’s restaurant industry is expected to experience the fastest growth of any state in the U.S., in terms of jobs and sales, between 2009 and 2019. This fact sheet provides an overview of the results of the survey. Cowee, M., Curtis, K., Gatzke, H., and Morris, R. 2009, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-09-41
Corn Variety Trial 2012, Pershing County Alfalfa hay remains by far the most important crop, in terms of both acres harvested and value of production (Foster 2010). Small grains typically are grown for hay and are a rotational crop during the year(s) after an alfalfa field has been removed and when it is replanted. Foster, S., and Davison, J. 2012, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Detecting Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Uptake and Translocation in Lettuce to Enhance Food Safety Assessment. Reclaiming Water for Urban Foodsheds integrates basic scientific research with extension outreach to examine the feasibility of using reclaimed water resources for irrigated agriculture in urban environments. Yang, Y., Das, K., Barrios-Masias., F., and Singletary, L. 2018, Extension I University of Nevada, Reno, FS-18-03.
Developing Farmer and Gourmet Chef Partnerships The gourmet restaurant sector has long been a stalwart niche of the greater market, and yet in Nevada ties between local producers and chefs are just emerging, leaving an open opportunity for continued growth and development due to the varied tourism destinations in Nevada. Curtis, K., Entsminger, J., Gatzke, H., and Morris, R. 2009, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-09-40
Effect of Beef Silver Skin (Epimysium) Levels on Meat Emulsion Stability, Quality Attributes, and Texture Parameters Kewata, K., Giotto, F.M., de Mello, A.S., Kingery, T., Silva, L.H.P. 2023, Foods 2023, 12(20
Effects of bacteriophages and peroxyacetic acid applications on beef contaminated with Salmonella during different grinding stages Shebs-Maurine, E.L., Giotto, F.M., Laidler, S.T., de Mello, A.S. 2021, Meat Science
Effects of different antioxidants on quality of beef patties from steers fed low-moisture distillers grains Corn Distillers Grains plus Solubles (DGS) are commonly used as a source of protein and energy for finishing cattle and its composition may vary based on moisture levels, fat and protein content. However, the inclusion of DGS in finishing diets alters beef quality attributes when compared to corn-based diets. Fruet, A.P.B., Nörnberg, J.L., Calkins, C.R., de Mello, A.S. 2019, Meat Science, Volume 154, August 2019, Pages 119-125
Effects of fortification of beef steaks with krill oil on physical, chemical, and sensory characteristics Fruet, A. P., Gerrard, D., Nörnberg, J. L. and de Mello, A. S. 2018, Journal of Human Nutrition & Food Science
Effects of liquid-based diets with breweries grains enriched with isolated starch and fish oil on veal quality Giotto, F.M., Gamage, N.H., Macias-Franco, A., Gerrard, D.E., Fonseca, M.A., de Mello, A.S. 2024, Meat Science, Volume 216, October 2024, 109592
Effects of liquid-based diets with breweries grains enriched with isolated starch and fish oil on veal quality American veal producers are making efforts to implement new production standards to improve product quality and animal welfare. Overall, including brewery grains, starch and fish oil in liquid diets containing milk replacer can improve veal production. Francine M. Giotto, Nadini H. Gamage, Arturo Macias Franco, David E. Gerrard, Mozart A. Fonseca, Amilton S. de Mello 2024, Meat Science, Volume 216, 2024, 109592, ISSN 0309-1740
Effects of MS bacteriophages, ultraviolet light, and organic acid applications on beef trim contaminated with STEC O157:H7 and the “Big Six” serotypes after a simulated High Event Period Scenario Shebs, E.L., Giotto, F.G., de Mello, A.S. 2022, Meat Science
Effects of muscle and finishing diets containing distillers grains with low moisture levels on fatty acid deposition in two novel value-added beef cuts Giotto, F. M. Fruet, A. P. B., Nörnberg J. L.,Calkins, C. R., de Mello, A. S. 2020, Food Science of Animal Resources, pISSN: 2636-0772, eISSN: 2636-0780
Effects of the incorporation of tannin extract from Quebracho Colorado wood on color Parameters, lipid oxidation, and sensory attributes of beef patties Condensed tannins from Quebracho Colorado wood are incorporated into beef patties as a natural antioxidant source to improve shelf life. Fruet, A.P.B., Giotto, F.M., Fonseca, M.F., Nörnberg, J.L., and de Mello, A.S. 2020, Foods 2020, 9(5), 667
Effects of wet and dry aging on yields, tenderness and microbial loads of beef loins This fact sheet contains extensive information on beef short lions usage for wet and dry aging on yields by measuring the tenderness and microbial loads after 21 and 42 days. de Mello, A.S. 2019, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS 19-01
Efficacy of bacteriophage and organic acids in decreasing STEC O157:H7 populations in beef kept under vacuum and aerobic conditions: A simulated High Event Period scenario Bacteriophages led to improved reductions of the bacteria E. coli in aerobically-packaged beef. As well as, bacteriophage applications are more effective than organic acids in package meats. Shebs. E.L., Lukov, M.J., Giotto, F.M., Torres, E.S., de Mello, A.S. 2020, Meat Science. Volume 162, April 2020,
Entrenamiento en la Seguridad de Pesticidas: Como Protegerte Mientras se Aplican los Pesticidas Video El hecho de protegerte mientras se aplican los pesticidas es muy importante. Según la Agencia a cargo de la Protección Ambiental, un pesticida es cualquier sustancia o mezcla de sustancias destinadas a prevenir, destruir o repeler cualquier plaga. Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., and Harrison, D. 2020, University of Nevada, Extension, YouTube Channel
Entrenamiento en la Seguridad de Pesticidas: El Manejo Segura de Pesticidas Video En este video, hablaremos sobre el manejo seguro de pesticidas, que incluye cuatro áreas relacionadas con la seguridad: el almacenamiento adecuado de pesticidas, el transporte seguro de pesticidas, la eliminación de pesticidas que no se han utilizado y la eliminación de los contenedores que se usan para los pesticidas Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., and Harrison, D. 2020, University of Nevada, Extension, YouTube Channel
Evaluation of Food Action Planning Committee Meeting and Urban Agriculture and Food Sustainability Forum, August 23-24, 2017 Buffington, A., and Bosket, C. 2017, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, SP-18-01
Fall Vegetable Production On Small Acreage in Desert Climates Costs and Returns, 2012 This publication presents sample costs and returns to produce fall vegetables on small acreages in Nevada. It is intended to be a guide, used to make production decisions, determine potential returns and prepare business and marketing plans. Bishop, C. 2012, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-12-
Finishing diets containing dry and modified corn distillers grains differently affect fatty acid profile of beef Giotto, F.M., Fruet, A.P.B., de Mello, A.S. 2019, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS 19-03
Flows for Floodplain Forests: A Successful Riparian Restoration Throughout the 20th century, the Truckee River that flows from Lake Tahoe into the Nevada desert was progressively dammed and dewatered, which led to the collapse of its aquatic and riparian ecosystems... Stewart B. Rood, Chad R. Gourley, Elisabeth M. Ammon, Lisa G. Heki, Jonathan R. Klotz, Michael L. Morrison, Dan Mosley, G. Gary Scoppettone, Sherman Swanson, And Paul L. Wagner 2003, BioScience, 53(7):647-656
Food Safety for Children, Pregnant Women, Older Adults, and those with Impaired Immune Systems This fact sheet provides great insight into multiple ways to handle food to make it safe for children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with impaired immune systems. Learn more about storing, preparing, cooking food, foodborne illness, etc. Wilson, M. 2000, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-00-37
Food Safety in the Edible Garden Andrews, A. 2016, Reno Gazette-Journal
Food Safety in the Garden Andrews, A. and Morrow, L. 2014, Reno Gazette-Journal
Food Safety in the Kitchen This fact sheet explores food safety in the kitchen by understanding how to avoid cross-contamination, safe food handling, proper cutting boards, and many more. Petermeier, H. and Collins, C. 2006, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-06-01
From Farm Fresh to Fine Dining: Producing for Gourmet Restaurants In today’s economy, Nevada’s agricultural producers face new challenges as well as developing opportunities. Markets for vegetable and fruit crops are changing as new international competition enters the market, and consumer tastes and preferences adapt to include new cultures and ideals. Curtis, K., Entsminger, J., Gatzke, H., and Morris, R. 2009, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-09-46
Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Good Handling Practices (GHPs): A Framework for Minimizing On-Farm Food Safety Hazards Approximately 48 million people in the United States get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die from foodborne diseases each year (CDC, 2011). Produce has continued to be implicated in major foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years. Urbanowitz, S. 2013, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices: Water Use in Horticultural Systems Good agricultural practices (GAPs) and good handling practices (GHPs) encompass management practices producers, growers and packers of fresh produce should follow to minimize contamination of their product. This publication covers those practices related to water use. Urbanowitz, S. 2013, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Good Food Can Be Hard to Find Andrews, A. 2016, Reno Gazette-Journal
Growth performance and carcass traits of steers finished on three different systems including legume–grass pasture and grain diets Fruet, A.P.B; Stefanello, F.S.; Trombetta, F.; De Souza, A.N.M.; , Rosado Júnior, A.G.; Tonetto, C.J.; Flores, J.L.C.; Scheibler, R.B.; Bianchi, R.M.; Pacheco, P.S.; De Mello, A. S.; and Nörnberg, J.L. 2018, Animal
Native Plant Characteristics Appeal to Consumers in Nevada In 2004, a study was conducted to examine the market in Nevada for locally produced native plants and seeds. As part of the study a survey was mailed to homeowners in the Reno, Henderson, and Las Vegas areas to determine consumer preferences for and usage of native plants and seeds. Cowee, M. and Curtis, K. 2007, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-07-16
Nevada Processed Food Guide: Refrigerated, Cut Produce Food businesses can find support in the growing consumer interest in local foods. Knowing what is required to sell cut and packaged produce can be confusing. This document is a brief guide that outlines the resources and topics that should be considered to produce and sell refrigerated fruits and vegetables in Nevada. Gatzke, H., Allen, K., West, T., and Roemer, M. 2016, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Novel Endo-ß- N-Acetylglucosaminidases Derived from Human Fecal Samples Selectively Release N-Glycans from Model Glycoproteins Bolino, M., Gamage, N.H., Duman, H., Abiodun, O., de Mello, A.S., Karav, S., Frese, S.A. 2025, Foods 2025, 14, 1288
Pesticide Safety Training: Handling Pesticides Safely Video This video discusses handling pesticides safely, which includes four areas of safety: properly storing pesticides, safely transporting pesticides, disposing of unused pesticides, and disposing of pesticide containers. Hefner, M., Kratsch, H. and Harrison, D. 2020, University of Nevada, Extension, YouTube Channel
Pesticide Safety Training: Keeping Yourself Safe during Pesticide Applications Video This video discusses how pesticides enter the body, first aid for pesticide exposure, the differences between pesticide poisoning and heat-related illness, and preventing heat-related illnesses. Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., and Harrison, D. 2020, University of Nevada, Extension, YouTube Channel
Pesticide Safety Training: Protecting Yourself While Applying Pesticides – Using Personal Protective Equipment Video Protecting yourself while applying pesticides is important. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances intended to prevent, destroy or repel any pest. Simply put, pesticides are substances intended to kill pests! Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., and Harrison, D. 2020, University of Nevada, Extension, YouTube Channel
Physicochemical composition, fatty acid profile, and sensory attributes of salted sun-dried meat from different bovine crossbreeds Macedo, V.P., de Mello, A.S., Bezerra, L.R., Barbosa, A.M., Silva, T.M., Oliveira, R.L. 2025, Tropical Animal Health and Production (2025) 57:156
Preparing, Cooking, & Storing Food Safely This fact sheet contains several examples and solutions to preparing, cooking, and storing food safely. Collins, C. and Petermeier, H. 2006, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-06-02
Preserving the Harvest Andrews, A. 2016, Reno Gazette-Journal
Reclaiming Water for Urban Foodsheds: Program Overview Reclaiming Water for Urban Foodsheds integrates basic scientific research with Extension outreach to examine the feasibility of using reclaimed water resources for irrigated agriculture in urban environments. Pagilla, K., Hanigan, D., Yang, Y., Verburg, P., Sterle, K., and Singletary, L. 2019, Extension I University of Nevada, Reno, FS-19-08.
Selecting Vegetable Crops for Small-Scale Desert Production Many people consider vegetable production to be difficult in the desert. Production of vegetables is possible by selecting suitable crops and using effective growing techniques. Crop selection should use crops suited to the climate and season. Gatzke, H. 2012, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Summary Report Southern Nevada Food Council Visioning Session for the 2050 City of Las Vegas Master Plan This special publication provides a summary of the Visioning Session feedback, a compilation of initiatives and policies from other parts of the nation that may address member concerns, and a listing of recommendations to improve the local food system. Buffington, A. and Braxton, M. 2020, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno
Team YHEP Presents: Hydroponics Harvest and Donations Team YHEP shows you how we harvest and package our hydroponic produce for donation to our food pantry partners throughout Las Vegas! O'Callaghan, A., Braxton-Perry, T., Hansen, N., and Ford-Terry, I., 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, YouTube Channel
The Amazing Nutritious Papaya This fact sheet contains extensive information on papaya facts and dishes anyone can try. Wilson, M. 2011, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-11-25
The Nevada Pesticide Safety Education Program This fact sheet features a variety of important information on Nevada's pesticide safety program which includes certification, licensing requirements, responsibilities, pesticide programs, and many more. Learn through detailed tables and extensive detail about each topic mentioned. Johnson, W. 2006, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-06-65
The Unbelievable Kiwi This fact sheet contains extensive information on kiwi facts and dishes anyone can try. Wilson, M. 2011, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-11-23
Vertebrate Pest Management Vertebrate pests include animals with a backbone, such as ground squirrels, mice and pigeons. Hefner, M. 2019, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno. IP
Weed Management As with all pest management, it is essential to identify the pest before taking action. Most effective weed management plans include several control strategies. Weed control can be divided into five separate categories. Hefner, M. 2019, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno. IP
Women in science: a Q&A with CABNR pet food mercury researchers Professor Mae Gustin and fellow researchers Lindsay Chichester, Sarrah Dunham-Cheatam, Adriel Luippold and Margarita (Maggie) Vargas-Estrada talk about their work and answer related questions Andrews, A. 2019, Nevada Today
Working With Gourmet Chefs: Strategies for Small Agricultural Producers This fact sheet details the study, which sought to determine which product and supply attributes are most important to gourmet chefs, what their local purchasing patterns are, where they would like to purchase local products, and what they view as obstacles to making local purchases. Cowee, M., Curtis, K., and Havercamp, M. 2006, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension