September Spotlight: Michigan Agencies Join Forces to Enhance Food Safety Awareness

September is a special month for food safety in Michigan. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared it Michigan Food Safety Education and Awareness Month. This is a great time for everyone to focus on how to handle food safely and keep our communities healthy.

Tim Boring, the Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), emphasizes that food safety is a team effort. He urges Michiganders to adopt proper practices to protect themselves and their families from food-related illnesses.

Here are five essential food safety tips to remember:

1. Wash Your Hands – This is the first step to preventing illnesses. Use soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing food.
2. Avoid Cross-Contamination – Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods. Use different cutting boards for meats and veggies, and always clean surfaces after use.
3. Use a Food Thermometer – Ensure your food reaches safe temperatures. For example, chicken should hit 165°F, while ground beef needs to be at 160°F. Looks can be deceiving!
4. Refrigerate Promptly – Store perishable items in the fridge within two hours. Keep your fridge at 40°F or lower.
5. Spread the Word – Share these tips with family and friends to help raise awareness about food safety.

MDARD works tirelessly to keep our food supply safe. They inspect over 18,000 food retailers and ensure that health departments follow strict safety regulations. With approximately 48 million Americans falling sick from foodborne illnesses each year, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), knowing these tips is vital for everyone.

According to a recent survey, 72% of adults believe that proper food safety practices can significantly reduce the risk of food-related illnesses. This highlights how important it is to be educated about food safety.

In light of this month, MDARD has updated their consumer food safety web page. Here, you can find resources, recalls, and information on various safety issues. For more insights, check out the [official Michigan food safety page](https://www.michigan.gov/foodsafety).

As we celebrate Food Safety Education and Awareness Month, let’s take small steps to ensure that our meals are not just delicious but also safe!

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Michigan|Whitmer|National Food Safety Education and Awareness Month