Associations Recognized for Long Commitment to Consumer Food Safety Education

Seven associations were recognized for more than 10 years of participation and $2.5 million in cumulative contributions to the nonprofit US Partnership for Food Safety Education (the Partnership) at the 2010 Food Safety Education Conference.

The associations honored are the American Egg Board (AEB), American Dietetic Association (ADA), Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Foundation, National Chicken Council (NCC), National Pork Board (NPB), National Turkey Federation (NTF) and Produce Marketing Association (PMA).

"The enduring commitment of these organizations, together with the federal government and consumer advocates, has enabled the Partnership to teach millions of Americans of all ages the essential measures to keep their food safe," said Shelley Feist, executive director of the Partnership. "They made it possible for the Partnership to develop and launch Fight BAC!®, Be Food Safe and other free programs for public health and nutrition educators."  

Partnership for Food Safety Education Campaigns

The Partnership has developed several education campaigns, including:

Additional campaigns and materials were developed around topics including safe produce handling, holiday food safety (www.holidayfoodsafety.org) and recall basics (www.recallbasics.org) for consumers. These campaigns include consumer resources such as brochures, graphics, fact sheets, newsletters and multimedia presentations.

The Partnership works closely to develop and disseminate campaigns with its contributing partners and federal liaisons at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In a statement before food safety educators from across the country Thursday, Feist noted the "exceptional, long-term commitment and investment in preventive health education" made by the food industry associations. AEB, FMI, NCC and PMA have participated consistently as contributing partners in each of the 14 years since the Partnership was founded in 1997.

"The Partnership is a very unique nonprofit," said Feist, "Contributing members provide the core of the Partnership's operational funding, as well as expert voluntary service and channels for disseminating food safety messages and materials."

Trade associations, public interest, consumer and scientific organizations with direct involvement in securing, maintaining and promoting a safe and secure food supply for consumers are invited to participate in the Partnership as contributing members.

The recognition of Partnership supporters was made at an evening reception at CNN headquarters in downtown Atlanta in conjunction with the USDA and NSF International Food Safety Education Conference, which drew 750 attendees from across the United States.