For Immediate Release
Partnership Contact: Shelley Feist, 202-220-0651
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Agency Contact: Erin Henry, 202-973-3632
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October 7, 2005 - Washington DC - Responding to consumer research that reveals consumers need more food safety information, The Partnership for Food Safety Education today released a new consumer safe food handling brochure. Available at fightbac.org, the brochure details how to properly Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill to reduce risk of foodborne illness.

"Our research shows that consumers are familiar with Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill, the core FightBAC!® food safety recommendations, but they need more guidance about how to do these properly," said Partnership for Food Safety Education Chairman Tim Hammonds. The findings reveal many consumers are not fully aware of the importance of:

• Maintaining a refrigerator temperature of 40ºF or below
• Using cooking and appliance thermometers, and
• Properly cleaning fresh fruits and vegetables

"This new brochure addresses these gaps in consumer knowledge, among other safe handling tips," added Hammonds.

Tested with consumers, the brochure was developed through collaboration between Partnership members and government agencies that participate in FightBAC!® including the FDA, the CDC and the USDA. The brochure can be viewed or downloaded free of charge at fightbac.org. In addition to the new brochure, the Partnership's website includes a variety of fact sheets and interactive games for children. Fightbac.org is a great resource for the family as well as teachers and health educators.