The Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) put together a free package of publications containing food preparation and storage tips that can help you avoid serious foodborne illnesses.

To get your free publications:

• Send your name and address to Food Safety, Pueblo, CO 81009.
• You may also wish to order online.
• Or, call 1.888.878.3256 and ask for "Food Safety."

The FCIC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also offer a package of publications about eating out safely.

More information about food safety is available at the following websites:

• FoodSafety.gov is a gateway to a wealth of food safety information provided by government agencies. Visit this website for information about how to keep food safe, food poisoning and more. You may also wish to ask a food safety question or report contaminated food.
• The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), an agency within the USDA, is responsible for ensuring the safety of the nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products. You may wish to visit their News and Events web page for information on the  latest news releases, food recalls, alerts and events related to food safety. Their multimedia web page contains links to food safety videos, news videos and podcasts.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also provide information about foodborne diseases, including which illnesses are most common and tips on how to avoid them. The CDC works closely with state health departments to monitor the frequency of specific foodborne diseases and conducts national surveillance for them, but does not regulate food safety.
• The FDA concluded the safety of cloning of animals for human and animal consumption. For more information, please visit the FDA's web page on Animal Cloning and Food Safety.
• The FDA also published a final rule that allows the use of food irradiation on fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach in order to elimate the risks of disease-causing bacteria, such as E. coli.
• Information about food safety tips for healthy holidays is also available from the FDA.
• Start at the Store: Prevent Foodborne Illness - A video in which an FDA Consumer Safety Officer provides tips for keeping food safe while guiding viewers through a grocery store.

September is National Food Safety Education Month, sponsored by FoodSafety.gov.

Additional Resources:

• Keep Food Safe Blog
• Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency
• Food Safety for At-Risk Groups
• Food Recalls
• Salmonella
• Complaints: Food in Restaurants
• Food Labeling

by usa.gov team