In today's Miss Manners column, advice columnist Judith Martin responds to handling situations where you want to refuse food due to hygiene concerns, while maintaining social graces.

I stopped eating potluck food at work years ago when I found cat hair in a piece of cake. Apparently, the lady who brought the cake regularly let her cats jump up on her kitchen counter. I was always ...

They've found cat hair in potluck food, and been offered cookies by strangers. The answer, now, is a resounding NO.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I stopped eating potluck food at work years ago when I found cat hair in a piece of cake. Apparently, the lady who brought the cake regularly let her cats jump up on her kitchen ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I stopped eating potluck food at work years ago when I found cat hair in a piece of cake. Apparently, the lady who brought the cake regularly let her cats jump up on her kitchen ...

Ingredient Crock Pot Recipes shine as simple solutions for busy days. These slow cooker recipes reduce prep time without ...

Food microbiology is the scientific study of microorganisms, both in food and used for the production of food. This includes microorganisms that contaminate food, as well as those used in its ...

Dinner parties with friends are a great way to relax and catch up, but it can sometimes be tricky to find a host willing to ...

And then there's the food. If you've ever been to a church potluck, you know how epic the spreads can be, particularly in the South. There are casseroles and pasta salads and so many church ...

Nothing quite says “Welcome to the South” like a potluck gathering. It’s a spread where everybody brings a dish (or two), hoping to impress friends, family and neighbors. Southern potlucks are ...

However, you can still have delicious and healthy food by picking items that are baked, steamed, boiled, or sauteed in just a bit of oil. Chinese food takeout is delicious, but as with other ...