Skip to main content
          Skip to FDA Search
          Skip to in this section menu
          Skip to footer links


U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government

					Here’s how you know
          			Dot gov**The .gov means it’s official.**Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
							      SSL**The site is secure.** The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 
			U.S. Food and Drug Administration
				
        Search
            Menu
							
						Search FDA
									
									Submit search 
		Featured
							Contact FDA
	                FDA Guidance Documents
	                Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
	                Press Announcements
	                Warning Letters
	                Advisory Committees
	                En Español

					Products
            Food
							Drugs
							Medical Devices
							Radiation-Emitting Products
							Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics
							Animal and Veterinary
							Cosmetics
							Tobacco ProductsTopics
            About FDA
							Combination Products
							Regulatory Information
							Safety
							Emergency Preparedness
							International Programs
							News and Events
							Training and Continuing Education
							Inspections and Compliance
							Science and ResearchInformation For
            Consumers
	            Patients
	            Industry
	            Health Professionals
	            Federal, State and Local Officials 
 In this section:

                Consumers

Consumers

                        Food Loss and Waste
          Advice about Eating Fish
          National Nutrition Month®
          Food Safety Education Month
          World Food Safety Day


                        Agricultural Biotechnology
          Buy, Store & Serve Safe Food
          People at Risk of Foodborne Illness
          What You Need to Know about Foodborne Illnesses Home
          Food
          Resources for You (Food)
          Consumers
          Food Safety Education MonthConsumers Food Safety Education Month
  
  	
    Share
    Post
    Linkedin

    Email
    PrintEn Español (Spanish)

September is National Food Safety Education Month!
September is National Food Safety Education Month!

This month take an active role in preventing foodborne illness, also known as “food poisoning.” The Federal government estimates that there are about 48 million cases of foodborne illness annually – that’s about 1 in 6 Americans each year. Each year, these illnesses result in an estimated 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. Following simple food safety tips can help lower your chance of getting sick.

Social Media Toolkit - Help us spread the word about food safety
	Education Resources - Learn how to lower your chance of getting sick
	New Era of Smarter Food Safety - Explore FDA's new approach to food safetySpread the Word!

Help us to spread the word about the importance of food safety. Use these social media messages to show your support for National Food Safety Education Month (NFSEM) and to encourage your community to keep food safe.

National Food Safety Education Month Social Media Post 1
#DYK? 1 in 6 Americans experience foodborne illness every year. Follow these safety tips to keep you and your family safe during National Food Safety Education Month. #NFSEM

https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/safe-food-handling
National Food Safety Education Month Social Media Post 7
#NFSEM Pop Quiz:

True or False? If a ready-to-cook food is contaminated with bacteria that could make you sick, freezing will kill the bacteria. Answer: https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/test-your-safety-knowledge-about-ready-cook-foods


National Food Safety Education Month Social Media Post 3
This month and every month, make a commitment to keep you and your family safe from foodborne illness! Check out these tips to help protect you from foodborne illness. #NFSEM

https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/safe-food-handling


National Food Safety Education Month Social Media Post 4
Cook that dough! In recognition of National Food Safety Education Month, read this first before mixing up your dough. #NFSEM

https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/test-your-safety-knowledge-about-ready-cook-foods


National Food Safety Education Month Social Media Post 5
Did you know that when recipes include food safety tips, people are more likely to follow them? This month, update your recipes to make sure they include #FoodSafety info and tips. #NFSEM

https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/food-safety-your-kitchen


National Food Safety Education Month Social Media Post 6
This National Food Safety Education Month remember the 2-Hour Rule: Throw out any perishable foods left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours unless you’re keeping it hot or cold. #NFSEM

https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/food-safety-your-kitchen


National Food Safety Education Month Social Media Post 2
It’s National Food Safety Education Month! Remember these 4 steps to handle food safely.

1️. Wash
2. Separate
3. Cook
4. Chill

your food!

Check out more safety tips to keep you and your family safe. #NFSEM

https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/safe-food-handling


National Food Safety Education Month Social Media Post 8
National Food Safety Education Month tip: If you – or someone you care for – are in one of these high-risk groups, it's especially important to practice safe food handling.

- Pregnant women, their unborn babies, and children
- Older adults and people with cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, and autoimmune diseases

https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/people-risk-foodborne-illness #NFSEM


National Food Safety Education Month Social Media Post 9
Sometimes, food poisoning is more than tummy troubles. It can be serious and even life threatening! Check out these tips to stay safe this National Food Safety Education Month. #NFSEM

https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/food-safety-your-kitchen


National Food Safety Education Month Social Media Post 10
Learning the do’s and don’t’s of safe food handling starts at home! Check out these tips to stay safe and healthy. #NFSEM

https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/safe-food-handling


National Food Safety Education Month Resources

FDA has resources to help encourage you and your community to put food safety first.

Safe Food Handling – Follow these four key steps to food safety.
	Food Safety in Your Kitchen – Get tips for food safe shopping, storage, and meal prep.
	People at Risk of Foodborne Illness – Learn what groups are more at risk for foodborne illnesses.
	Food Safety for Pregnant Women ­– Find food safety information for before, during, and after pregnancy.
	Everyday Food Safety for Young Adults – Learn about food safety whether you’re cooking at home, dining out, or eating ready-made meals on the go.
	Education Resource Library – Find printable educational materials, videos, and more!
	Continuing Medical Education Program – Learn how to identify, treat, and report foodborne illness.
	Science and Our Food Supply – Bring food science into your middle and high school classrooms.
	Consumer Food Safety Educator Evaluation Toolbox and Guide – Get tips, tools, and examples to plan, develop, and evaluate food safety programs and activities.Visit https://www.foodsafety.gov for additional information on food safe practices.

New Era Feature
New Era of Smarter Food Safety

One of the priorities in the New Era of Smarter Food Safety is fostering, supporting, and strengthening food safety culture on farms, in food facilities, and in homes. We will not make dramatic improvements in reducing the burden of foodborne disease without doing more to influence and change human behavior, including in the family kitchen.

To support consumers, FDA offers resources on safe food handling. When you prepare meals and snacks for yourself, your family, and your friends, it is important to follow these food safety tips to help prevent foodborne illness. Learn the do’s and don’ts of food-safe meal prep and start putting them into practice to protect you and your family, especially if someone in your household has an increased risk of foodborne illness.

FDA has been working for years with the Partnership for Food Safety Education (PFSE) to promote safe food handling tips for consumers. In a blog earlier this year marking PFSE’s 25th anniversary, Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response Frank Yiannas wrote, “While consumers should expect that food producers have done all that they can to provide them with safe food, consumers play a role too when preparing and handling food at home.

"And, after all, we’re all consumers. We all have a responsibility to observe safe food handling and storage practices at home, to help protect ourselves and our families from harmful microbes that can contaminate food.”

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      08/28/2023
              
              
Regulated Product(s)
		 Food & BeveragesConsumers

          
                        Food Loss and Waste
          Advice about Eating Fish
          National Nutrition Month®
          Food Safety Education Month
          World Food Safety Day


                        Agricultural Biotechnology
          Buy, Store & Serve Safe Food
          People at Risk of Foodborne Illness
          What You Need to Know about Foodborne Illnesses
 
 Footer Links
    FDA Archive
          About FDA
          Accessibility
      Visitor Information
          Website Policies / Privacy
          No FEAR Act
          Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
      FOIA
          HHS.gov
          USA.gov
    Contact FDA
      Follow FDA on Facebook
      Follow FDA on X
      Follow FDA on Instagram
      Follow FDA on LinkedIn
      View FDA videos on YouTube
      Subscribe to FDA RSS feeds
    FDA Homepage
    Contact Number
      1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) Back toTop