NATIONAL FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION MONTH

September marks the ninth annual National Food Safety Education Month™ . Food safety education and training will be conducted across the country to educate the public and food service workers to handle and prepare food properly. This year’s theme is “Store It. Don't Ignore It.” Important program messages are provided below.

To prevent contamination:

	Store food in proper containers.
	Store raw meat, poultry and fish separately from prepared food.
	Wrap food properly before storing it.

When storing food:

	Place food into refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible.
	Store meat, poultry, fish and dairy in the coldest part away from the door.
	Don’t overload refrigerators or line shelving.
	Never place hot food in the refrigerator.

Storage practices:

	Date all potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food.
	Use the first in, first out rule.
	Clean and defrost on a regular basis.
	Store food at proper temperatures; keep refrigerator at 40 F degrees or below and freezer at 0 F degrees. The temperature danger zone is between 40 and 140 degrees F.

For more information: www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/september.html

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