The U.S. Department of Agriculture has launched the USDA Food Safety Discovery Zone, a 40-foot long interactive, hands on food safety learning experience bringing food safety information to towns and cities throughout the nation. This exciting new educational centre on wheels is designed to improve public food safety awareness and behaviour. The goal is to prevent food borne illness by emphasizing the USDA’s Be Food Safe messages: Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill.
“From the very beginning, this Administration has made food safety a top priority and today we are launching an exciting new tool to promote safe food handling practices,” said USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Jerold Mande. “Promoting safe food handling practices is a key component of our effort to reduce food borne illness.”
The USDA Food Safety Discovery Zone will spend nine months a year travelling across the United States to bring adults and children important food safety information. To find out when the USDA Food Safety Discovery Zone is coming to your area, or to request a visit, visit FSIS’ Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/fsdiscoveryzone
Many of the USDA Food Safety Discovery Zone learning stations feature messages from Be Food Safe, emphasising four easy lessons:
Clean – Wash hands and surfaces often.
Separate – Don’t cross-contaminate. Keep raw meat and poultry apart from foods ready to eat.
Cook – Always use a food thermometer to ensure foods are safely cooked.
Chill – Refrigerate or freeze promptly.