Be Food Safe

Initiated in 2006, Be Food Safe seeks to educate consumers in proper food handling and preparation procedures. A study by the Partnership for Food Safety Education (PFSE) found that 60% of consumers do not practice proper food preparation techniques despite the fact that they are confident in the safety of their food preparation techniques. The CDC estimates that one in four Americans suffer from food borne illness annually, making the discrepancy between the safety of perceived and actual food handling techniques an excellent target for intervention. Be Food Safe outlines four core principles to insure that consumers can dine safely: (1) clean, (2) separate, (3) cook, and (4) chill.

In addition to information available through their website, Be Food Safe licenses a platform to retailers that informs and educates consumers while they shop for food. The platform includes bold colors, templates and graphics that reinforce the four core principles listed above. Be Food Safe is run by the USDA and the PFSE, a member funded, non-profit organization that connects industry, food scientists, and government agencies.

The goal of Be Food Safe is to reduce the incidence of foodborne illness by instructing consumers in proper procedures for handling and preparing food.

Be Food Safe has licensed its platform to over 60 retailers, including major national grocery suppliers, that provide food to over 81 million consumers. Be Food Safe has expanded to provide specific food preparation materials, such as the Holiday Food Safety Success Kit, available for download on their website.