Importance of Food Safety Education Month Highlighted by Recent USDA Study on Consumer Kitchen Behavior

U.S. Department of Agriculture Releases Findings on Consumer Food Safety Behaviors

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released the results from the final year of a five-year study that observed how consumers prepared meals. The study, produced by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), aims to highlight the importance of safe food handling practices. This release comes during Food Safety Education Month, making it a timely reminder for consumers to prioritize food safety in their kitchens.

Understanding Consumer Behaviors

The study, which observed food safety behaviors, focused on participants’ thermometer use for ground pork sausage, handwashing, and cleaning and sanitizing of food preparation surfaces. USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Emilio Esteban emphasized the importance of such studies in shaping food safety communications and helping consumers safely prepare food.

Handwashing Concerns

Thorough handwashing remains a concern based on the findings of the study. While 87% of participants self-reported washing their hands before starting to cook in the test kitchen, only 44% were observed doing so before meal preparation. Furthermore, handwashing was neglected 83% of the time when it should have been done, such as when handling raw sausage and unwashed cantaloupe, cracking eggs, or touching contaminated equipment or surfaces. Throughout the study, only 96% of handwashing attempts included all necessary steps, indicating room for improvement in this crucial aspect of food safety.

Thermometer Usage

The study found that 50% of participants used a food thermometer to check the doneness of sausage patties. However, only 50% of those participants checked all the patties with a food thermometer. It is essential to check the internal temperature of all pieces of food being cooked to ensure they have reached a safe temperature. Variations in thickness and size can cause different parts of the food item to cook to different temperatures, making thorough thermometer usage crucial for food safety.

Cross-Contamination Risks

To simulate the spread of foodborne illness-causing bacteria during meal preparation, the study injected harmless tracer bacteria into the pork sausage. Among the surfaces tested, the kitchen sink was most frequently contaminated, with 34% of participants introducing contamination during meal preparation. The next highest contamination occurred when cutting cantaloupe, with 26% of participants introducing contamination. Contamination on fruits, vegetables, and other ready-to-eat foods is especially concerning since these items are consumed raw, without a final cooking step that could kill bacteria.

Food Safety Resources

For more food safety information, consumers can contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), email MPHotline@usda.gov, or chat live at ask.usda.gov from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

Access to USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service’s (FSIS) news releases and other information can be found at www.fsis.usda.gov/newsroom. Consumers can also follow FSIS on Twitter at twitter.com/usdafoodsafety or in Spanish at twitter.com/usdafoodsafe_es.

The USDA’s Commitment

The USDA plays a vital role in the lives of all Americans each day. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the USDA is working towards transforming America’s food system by focusing on resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets for farmers and producers, investing in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and promoting equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and creating a more representative workforce.

In conclusion, the USDA’s study on consumer food safety behaviors highlights the need for improved handwashing practices, thorough thermometer usage, and prevention of cross-contamination. By raising awareness about these issues, the USDA aims to help consumers safely prepare food and prevent foodborne illnesses.

Original Story at www.usda.gov – 2023-09-19 14:08:50