Despite continued progress in improving the quality and safety of foods produced in the U.S., food-related illness remains a serious public health problem. However, most cases of food-related illness can be prevented if consumers recognize the important role they play in ensuring the safety of the foods they eat as well as prepare. In 1997, a Presidential Food Safety Initiative directed the Federal government to design and initiate activities to address the educational needs of children, consumers, producers and the retail community. One leveraging activity, the National Food Safety Educator's Network (EdNet), an electronic newsletter from the Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture, provides updates on food safety activities to public health, nutrition, food science, educators and others concerned about food safety. EdNet provides the latest information on government food safety initiatives to public and private sector organizations and individuals who disseminate food safety information to the public; utilizes cost effective electronic communication approaches to disseminate information; and assures awareness and coordination of each agency's food safety information dissemination activities. Since its October 1997 launch, until now, 40 issues of the monthly 6-8 page electronic EdNet newsletter were disseminated to approximately 1600 subscribers (an increase of 350%), representing 25 countries, 396 academicians, 11 military installations, 197 government, 476 commercial, 130 network, 107 non-profits, and 146 schools/community colleges. To join the one-way direct mail food safety education network, send the message: SUBSCRIBE EDNET-L firstname lastname to LISTSERV@FOODSAFETY.GOV. Archives of past EdNet updates are available. See www.foodsafety.gov/fsg/ednet.html
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe how the EdNet fits within the rubric of the National Food Safety Initiative's education component 2. Identify the purpose of EdNet for disseminating food safety information to educators 3. Articulate the categories of food safety educators and listserv subscribers who benefit from this technology 4. Recognize the procedure for subscribing to the network
Keywords: Food Safety, Education
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.