USDA'S "Celebrity Characters" In Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Washington, D.C., November 22, 2000 -- For the first time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) new educational messengers, Thermy™, BAC, and Power Panther™ are appearing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, along with Smokey Bear™ and Woodsy Owl™. These walking characters will be seen by two million spectators lining the parade route in New York City and more than 60 million viewers worldwide on television Thanksgiving morning.

''I'm delighted that Thermy™, the Food Safety and Inspection Service' (FSIS) new food safety messenger will be featured in the parade," said Tom Billy, Administrator, FSIS. ''We're pleased to have this opportunity to highlight food safety and nutrition during this event.''

Thermy™, is the messenger who encourages consumers to use food thermometers to ensure that foods are cooked to safe temperatures. Thermy™'s message is ''It's Safe to Bite When the Temperature is Right!''

"Fight BAC!™ is a campaign of The Partnership for Food Safety Education, a public-private partnership with USDA, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and involves more than 300 organizations. The purpose of BAC, the ugly green bacteria, is to educate the public about safe food handling and preparation to reduce the incidence of foodborne illness. His message is ''Fight BAC!™ Keep Food Safe from Bacteria.'' The four key steps are: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill.

The USDA's Food and Nutrition Service introduces Power Panther™, known as the Nutrition and Physical Activity Communication Specialist. Power Panther™ encourages boys and girls to make healthy food choices and be physically active. His message is ''Eat Smart. Play Hard.™''

Smokey Bear™ and Woodsy Owl™ represent the USDA's Forest Service. Woodsy Owl, created 29 years ago, inspires children to care for the environment. His message ''Lend a Hand --Care for the Land!'' intends to help children understand what they can do to help the planet.

Our 56 year-old Smokey Bear, lives in our hearts as the beloved guardian of the nation's forests. Through his message: ''Remember, Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires,'' Smokey has taught generations of children that prevention of forest fires is each individual's responsibility. Smokey Bear recently became a member of the Department of Agriculture's Hall of Heroes. Smokey's giant helium-filled balloon previously appeared in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

USDA's ''celebrity characters'' will walk the 2 1/2-mile parade route. So look for Thermy™, BAC, Power Panther™, Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl, and remember their important messages.

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For more information about food safety, visit the FSIS Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov/thermy and the Partnership for Food Safety Education at www.fightbac.org.

For food safety information about meat, poultry, or eggs, call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1 (800) 535-4555; Washington, DC area, (202) 720-3333; TTY: 1 (800) 256-7072. It is staffed by home economists, registered dietitians, and food technologists weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time, year round. An extensive selection of food safety recordings can be heard 24 hours a day using a touch-tone phone.