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Food Safety and Inspection
Service United States Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250-3700 |
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Food Safety and Inspection
Service United States Department of Agriculture Washington, D.C. 20250-3700 |
Susan Conley
(202) 720-7943
Matt Baun (202) 720-9113
WASHINGTON, April 29, 2002 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Under Secretary for Food Safety Elsa Murano announced today that Spanish-speaking callers can now receive answers in Spanish to their food safety questions by calling USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline. The toll-free Hotline, which has been answering food safety questions in English for nearly 17 years, has now extended its service to callers whose first language is Spanish.
“Food safety education is important for all consumers,” said Under Secretary Murano. “We hope this new service will be of special help for Spanish-speaking consumers seeking answers to their food safety questions.”
By touching the appropriate key on their telephones at the prompt, callers will be connected to a Spanish-speaking food safety specialist who can answer their questions. Callers may also listen to more than 50 food safety messages recorded in Spanish 24 hours a day.
Each year, the Hotline receives more than 80,000 calls. The majority of calls come from consumers regarding how to properly handle their food including storage, preparation, food safety during power outages, manufacturer food recalls, foodborne illnesses and the inspection of meat, poultry and egg products.
Food safety publications printed in Spanish have been available for many years from the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s Food Safety Education Staff. The Agency’s new publication, “Cooking for Groups: A Volunteer’s Guide to Food Safety” (“Cocinando para Grupos: Guía de Seguridad Alimentaria para Voluntarios”) has just been translated into Spanish. The brochure helps volunteers prepare and serve food safely for large groups such as family reunions, church dinners and community gatherings.
This publication and many other food safety publications in Spanish are available at www.fsis.usda.gov. Titles include:
For more information, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. The Hotline’s hours are Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastern Time, year-round. An extensive selection of timely food safety messages is also available at the same number 24 hours a day. Information can also be accessed on the FSIS Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov. E-mail inquiries may be directed to MPHotline.fsis@usda.gov.
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For additional food safety information about meat, poultry, or egg products, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline’s toll-free number 1-800-535-4555; Washington D.C. area (202) 720-3333. The toll-free number for the hearing impaired (TTY) is 1 (800) 256-7072.
The Hotline is staffed by food safety experts, weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastern time. In addition, food safety information is available on the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov.
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For Further Information, Contact:
FSIS Congressional and Public Affairs Staff
Phone: (202) 720-9113
Fax: (202) 690-0460