CHICAGO
– September is National Food Safety Education Month and the perfect time to
teach consumers the importance of food safety and reducing the risk of food
poisoning. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics urges everyone to take time
during September to reinforce proper food safety practices in their homes.
Each
year in the United States, about 48 million people get sick, 128,000 are
hospitalized and 3,000 die from foodborne disease. However, many people
don’t recognize the serious nature of food poisoning and often confuse symptoms
with those of the common flu. “Food poisoning is a legitimate concern and it is
essential that everyone understands the risk and learns proper food safety
practices,” says registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy Spokesperson
Torey Armul.
Food
Safety Education Is Key
Reducing
food poisoning by just 1 percent would keep approximately half a million
Americans from getting sick each year. One of the best ways to reduce the risk
of food poisoning is to educate consumers on proper food safety practices that
they can implement in their homes.
“Many
people assume restaurant meals are a cause of food poisoning, but in reality
one-third of all food poisoning cases are caused by food prepared at home,”
Armul says. “Keeping food safe is critical, whether cooking a holiday feast or
reheating leftovers.”
A
University of California-Davis consumer research study revealed that many
consumers overlook safe food preparation practices in their homes. According to
the study, 65 percent of participants did not wash their hands before starting
meal preparation and 40 percent of participants undercooked their chicken.
“Education
is just the first step,” Armul says. “Making those food safety practices part
of the food preparation routine is next.”
Resources
Are Available
Food
safety education is critical - that is why the Academy of Nutrition and
Dietetics has partnered with ConAgra Foods to develop the Home Food Safety
program. Through this program, the Academy offers a library of free resources
on www.HomeFoodSafety.org. The
website includes articles, downloadable guides, how-to videos, educational
infographics and much more.
For
food safety information on-the-go, the Home Food Safety program also offers the
free Is My Food Safe? mobile app. This app includes a food storage guide, a
complete list of proper internal cooking temperatures and a food safety quiz to
test your knowledge.
During
September and beyond, take time to remember the importance of food safety.
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The
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food
and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s
health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education
and advocacy. Visit the Academy at www.eatright.org.
