Scientists Aren't Worried About Getting Coronavirus from Food Blog image by Get Maine Lobster

Scientists Aren't Worried About Getting Coronavirus from Food.

Courtesy of Esther Davidowitz, NorthJersey.com

The good news: coronavirus is not foodborne. That means you can't get the coronavirus by ingesting food. You can get it from people, of course, those who sneeze, cough or exhale the coronavirus. Which is why we're told not to touch others, nor stay too close to others, and to wash our hands often.

But still, do you need to worry about how you handle food? What if someone sneezed on your apple? Can you still eat your steak rare? What about sushi – is it safe to eat?

We asked two food scientists at Rutgers University – graduate program director Donald Schaffner and professor emeritus Thomas Montville – on how tobest handle food to protect us against the coronavirus.

Question: Experts say the coronavirus is not foodborne. Yet, they strongly suspect animals in China – in a food market, no less – were the likely source of the initial infection. So doesn't that mean that it is foodborne?

Donald Schaffner: It's thought that the virus was transmitted by animals not by eating them but by having close proximity to the animals. Viruses can jump between species and that's what most probably happened. Most probably it was a respiratory transmission.

Question: Do I need to wash fruits and vegetables for a longer time due to the coronavirus? Do I need to “sanitize” them with soap?

Thomas Montville: Wash your fruits and vegetables as usual, or even with a little warm soapy water. We should always wash our fruits and vegetables. That's just good safety practice.

Question: What about meat? While the virus is not foodborne, what if the butcher has coronavirus and touched the meat? Can I now get the virus?

Montville: Cooking would kill the virus.

Schaffner: Scientists will never say anything is at zero risk, but I'm not worried at all about getting the coronavirus from food. Hypothetically, yes, perhaps your piece of meat could have the virus on it. But your stomach acids will kill it. Plus the coronavirus is not equipped to get through your intestine's walls, which is how foodborne diseases make you sick.

Question: What about raw foods, like sushi or steak tartare?

Montville: You will never find a food scientist who eats tartare. It can be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria – E. coli, salmonella, listeria. In fact, it's a risk to eat a hamburger rare. As far as sushi, I just don't eat it.

Question: What about all the paper bags food comes in? Do I need to worry about them?

Montville: There's no scientific data that's related to that. It's believed that the virus can survive on cardboard for 24 hours; steel or wood for maybe three days. The mantra in food science is: Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands.And cook your food.

NOTE: most communities in the USA are strongly suggesting [Social Distancing]. This means, going to your favorite restaurant may not be a good idea until COVID-19 is contained in your area. Rely on food delivery services and enjoy your favorite foods at home.

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Lobster blood could play role in new drugs Blog image by Get Maine Lobster

Lobster blood could play role in new drugs

By PATRICK WHITTLE Associated Press

PORTLAND, Maine— Maine lobsters have long delighted tourists as the state's most beloved seafood. But one company thinks the crustaceans can save human lives by providing their blood for use in new drugs.

The effort, involving a longtime lobster scientist, wouldn't be the first example of coastal invertebrates being used to aid human health. Horseshoe crabs are harvested because their blood contains a protein used to detect contamination in medical products. A different startup company in Maine announced in 2016 that it would develop a bandage coated with a substance extracted from crushed lobster shells. And the U.S. Army has made use of field bandages treated with a blood clotting compound processed from shrimp shells.

The company working on the lobster blood project, Lobster Unlimited of Orono, is investigating whether lobster blood can be used as a potential weapon against viruses and cancer. Representatives with the company said results are promising — the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued them a patent in late October related to their work.

The blood is easy to come by because it's a byproduct of lobster processing, company head Robert Bayer said. Lobster blood is likely a long way from playing a role in new drugs, Bayer said, but there's “no question it has antiviral and anticancer properties” based on research needed to apply for the patent.



“Right now, this blood is literally thrown out on the floor and goes down the drain,” said Bayer, a professor emeritus of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at University of Maine. “We can collect millions of pounds of it, which makes it a viable product worth pursing.”

The company proposes to use compounds derived from hemolymph, which is lobster circulatory fluid, to improve human health and possibly the health of other mammals. Lobster Unlimited's looking for partners in the pharmaceutical industry to work with on the development of drugs.

Scientists with the company have found that hemocyanin, a protein in the fluid, works as a powerful stimulant for the immune systems, Bayer said. For example, experiments show the substance can reduce the viral load of herpes simplex virus-infected cells, according to documents the company filed with the U.S. patent office.

The next step is to find partners in industry to work on the development of new drugs, because the company doesn't plan to manufacture or sell its own, said Cathy Billings, another member of Lobster Unlimited. New products would also need to stand up to testing and then win approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Interest in developing non-food products from lobsters has grown in recent years as Maine's haul of the crustaceans has grown. The 2010s saw Maine's catch of lobsters eclipse any previous decade by many millions of pounds. The remnants from processing them are used in everything from Christmas decorations and gardening soil to cooking stock. Using them in medicine represents a new frontier, Bayer said.

Invertebrate biology is very different from that of mammals, but there are some commonalities that could make it possible to use lobster products in medicine, said Diane Cowan, a Maine-based lobster biologist not involved in the Lobster Unlimited project. Those commonalities make it possible to use animals such as lobsters and horseshoe crabs to aid human health, she said.



Lobsters, like humans, have circulatory fluid, though lobster's is a kind of bluish gray as opposed to red, Cowan said. “So to have an idea that you can take something from one animal and use it for another is not outrageous,” she said. “The circulatory fluid that runs through all bodies of all living animals is very similar.”

Steve Train, a Long Island, Maine, lobsterman, was a little surprised when he heard about the possibility of lobster blood playing a role in new drugs.

But if it can help people, “I hope it's true,” he said, adding, “These scientists know more than I do.”

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Why Winter Birthdays Deserve Some Summer Fun Blog image by Get Maine Lobster

Why Winter Birthdays Deserve Some Summer Fun

There’s nothing quite like the taste of a fresh Maine lobster. It’s a classic, New England staple you’ve likely tried, whether you call yourself a Mainer or an out-of-towner. We’re proud for being known for lobster, and love to share this wild caught gem with the rest of the country.



Every morning we wake up, scrape the snow off our cars, and dream of summer as we prepare and deliver our finest delicacy to you, wherever you may be. Some people out there believe that lobster is just a summer food, meant for backyard hangouts or seasonal New England restaurants. We think lobster tastes even sweeter in the winter, and deserves to be enjoyed all year long. Whether it’s June of January, everyone has a right to sink their teeth into a juicy lobster roll lathered in warm melted butter.

So why should the summer months and big holidays have all the fun? Lobster is the perfect treat for celebrating winter birthdays, and serves as an excellent present for your seafoodie friends and family. Give them the ultimate gift of nostalgia for their birthday: the taste of warmer, carefree, saltier days.


Maine lobster shackLobster can remind you of days and nights spent on the beach with your closest friends and family, and can either give you a slice of home or adventure. One of the most nostalgic sounds is the crisp crack of a claw or tail shell crashing away to reveal the tender meat within. And there’s something about the salty smell of bright red, steamed lobster that transports you to a memory or a feeling; visiting grandma’s house in Nantucket? Or maybe that restaurant in Maine you always ate at when your parents picked you up from summer camp? Whatever your memories are, it’s clear that lobster isn’t just food, it’s an emotional experience that captures all your senses.

Eating lobster is social; you can learn a lot about someone based on whether they prefer claw or tail meat. Or how they build their favorite lobster roll. Butter? Mayo? Warm? Cold? In Maine, we take these discussions, opinions, and culinary adventures very seriously. We encourage you to try our lobster so you can have these talks too.

While everyone’s experiences with lobster may differ, we can all agree on one thing--it tastes the best when shared with loved ones. So this winter, give the gift of live, fresh, or frozen lobster. Whether you’re personally throwing a birthday party or shipping the package across the country as a slice of home, it’s always a meaningful gift from the heart.

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Prep Tips for Ready To Cook Fish Dishes Recipe image by Get Maine Lobster

Prep Tips for Ready To Cook Fish Dishes

Quality seafood, paired with perfect toppings, and a snap to prepare. Now fixing your fish dish has never been easier. Enjoy!

Just Thaw, Bake, Enjoy!

Scallops Prep Tips:

    1. Take scallops out of package and place on greased baking dish.
    2. Bake for 8-10 mins at 400-degrees. Spin baking dish halfway through for even cooking.
    3. Salt to taste. Enjoy

Sockeye Salmon Prep Tips:

  1. Take fish out of package and place on greased baking dish.
  2. Bake for 12-16 mins at 400-degrees. Spin backing dish halfway through for even cooking.
  3. Salt to taste. ENJOY!

Cod Prep Tips:

  1. Take fish out of package and place on greased baking dish.
  2. Bake for 12-16 mins at 400-degrees. Spin backing dish halfway through for even cooking.
  3. Salt to taste. ENJOY!

Ready to enjoy a fabulous fish dish?

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Reviewed on Food Box HQ Blog image by Get Maine Lobster

Reviewed on Food Box HQ

Feels nice when you get love from the experts!

Checkout Food Box HQ's review of our Maine Lobster Roll Kit -- deliciousness delivered to any doorstep in the USA.

CLICK HERE to order your Maine lobster roll kit >

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Special BOGO Offer: Sweetest Maine Lobster Tails

Special BOGO Offer: Sweetest Maine Lobster Tails

Special offer alert! Enjoy two best-selling 4-5 oz. Maine Lobster tails FREE when you buy six 4-5 ouncers at special pricing. That's a total of EIGHT juicy Maine Lobster Tails (4-5 oz.) for just $139.99 + Flat Rate $19.99 Overnight Shipping. 

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Be Bold with your Boo with Lobster

Be Bold with your Boo with Lobster

You know what they say about seafood, and they’ve been saying it for a long time. There’s a reason that when Botticelli painted Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love, birthed out of the sea, he put her on a scallop shell. And that association of Venus — or Aphrodite — with the sea goes back at least a couple thousand years before, if not earlier.

These days, science seems to back up the ancients: According to a study published in 2018, researchers who followed 500 couples in Michigan and Texas for one year found that they had a 39 percent higher odds of being intimate on days when both partners ate seafood.

Another bit of common sense reinforced by research is that planning date night helps couples stay happier.

We’ve got great ideas and suggestions for Maine Lobster for an unforgettable date night at home, from our quick and delicious lobster roll kits to our signature live Maine Lobster shipped from dock to your doorstep overnight or to arrive when you want. Want to recapture that memory of the seafood tacos you had on the beach during your honeymoon? Excited to try steaming or even grilling our live lobster with your special someone, but a little intimidated? Relax, lobsterman Mark’s got you covered, with prep tips and recipes galore.

Date night should be as extraordinary and memorable as the love that drew you together. Botticelli didn’t put Venus on a hotdog bun, a plate of leftovers, or a mound of all-you-can-eat pasta that leaves you feeling like you’ve eaten all you can and ready for nothing more romantic than the warm embrace of a recliner and a remote control.

On the other hand, Botticelli never had the chance to try Maine lobster. I wonder if he’d have changed anything?

SOURCES:

“Seafood tied to more sex and faster conception,” Reuters, June 21, 2018 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-pregnancy-seafood/seafood-tied-to-more-sex-and-faster-conception-idUSKBN1JH2ZD

“Date Night: Not a Luxury, A Necessity,” Psychology Today, March 30, 2017 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-it-together/201703/date-night-not-luxury-necessity

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History Lesson: Maine Lobster Industry Blog image by Get Maine Lobster

History Lesson: Maine Lobster Industry

Maine Lobster is one of the oldest operated industries in North America, with the first documented catch dating back to English settlers in the 1600s.
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What To Serve on Game Day

What To Serve on Game Day

Here are some great ideas on how to score big at your game-watching party this season. Let's elevate your "tailgate."
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Maine Half Marathon and 5K Blog image by Get Maine Lobster

Maine Half Marathon and 5K

9/28: Pumpkinhead Race and Festival

We are super-excited to be a part of an awesome event. We'll be serving lobster rolls after the race.

A beautiful course wrapped in fall foliage along the Piscataqua River in Eliot, Maine. Part of the Eliot Festivals Days and 5K on September 28, 2019.  Beautiful rolling hills and views will make this a memorable race and run as well as a perfect training run for anybody working up towards their October or November marathons.  Join us post race at the Shipyard Brew Pub for a full day of Shipyard Pumpkinhead events, music and activities.  A really fun fall festival day is there for you and your family to enjoy.

$3,000.00 Purse Prize for the Half Marathon!  Awards for 1st Overall Men & Women. With entry you get:  Half Marathon Finisher Medals, Age Group awards, T-Shirt, 2 Beers and some food to refuel with free entry to the Pumpkinhead Festival.

Special Discount for friends of GML: 20% Off Half Marathon

Use discount code: LOBSTER

REGISTER HERE >

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National Lobster Day: 9/25

National Lobster Day: 9/25

I think about lobster all year long, but the official holiday honoring Maine Lobster and the hardworking men and women who bring it from trap to table is National Lobster Day, September 25.

I’ll be celebrating with a Facebook Live broadcast at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) on Wednesday, September 25, and you’re invited to join me. If you schedule an order to arrive on National Lobster Day, it will include a free mystery gift. (You can always choose when to get your lobster.) And we’ll be offering special discounts for the holiday.

For one lucky lobster fan, dinner’s on me: I’ll be paying for one order that arrives on National Lobster Day. 

I’ll also be posting on Twitter and Instagram with #NationalLobsterDay hashtags, and looking out for your posts and shares too.

In the meantime, here are a few things to think about while you plan your own National Lobster Day celebration—and some recipe ideas for your menu.

Did you know:

The Maine Lobster fishery is a centuries-old industry that employs thousands of Mainers and contributes more than $1 billion a year to our state economy. 

Maine’s lobstermen and lobsterwomen have a long tradition of sustainable fishing: Maine Lobsters are 100% hand-harvested from small day boats, one trap at a time, to protect their quality and the marine habitat.

Lobsters have to shed their shells in order to grow. Oh, and while lobsters can keep on growing until they die, the only place they can actually live forever is on the Internet. 

Lobsters might not hold the secret to immortality, but Maine Lobster is very healthy. ( And whether gluten is healthy or not, lobster doesn’t have any, so it’s friendly for people who are eating keto or paleo.)

Our Top 5 Maine National Lobster Day Recipes:

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End of Summer Cookout Blog image by Get Maine Lobster

End of Summer Cookout

Labor Day weekend is a celebration of the end of summer. School is back in session, no more sand between your toes, and traffic has started to wane. Life starts to get back to normal. Let's go out with a bang --- here are some ideas on how you can create a championship menu.

APPETIZERS

Here are some tasty nibblers that will have your friends, family, and loved one toasting you for a Labor Day feast to remember.

MAIN(e) COURSE

 - Egg was found by Mary from Louisiana at 1:22 PM on 4/6.

DESSERTS

Around here, it’s all about the Whoopie (not that!) --- Whoopie Pies. A whoopie pie is like a sandwich, but made with two soft cookies with a fluffy white filling. Traditional ones are made with vegetable shortening, not butter. The original and most commonly made whoopie pie is chocolate.

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