National Food Safety Education Month 2023 — People at Higher Risk


September is National Food Safety Education Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of food safety and to teach people how to prevent foodborne illness. Foodborne illness is a sickness caused by eating contaminated food. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and stomach cramps. In some cases, foodborne illness can be serious or even life-threatening.

Am

Certain people are at a higher risk for developing foodborne illness. These people include:

Pregnant women: Changes in the immune system during pregnancy make pregnant women more susceptible to foodborne illness.

Young children: Young children have immature immune systems, which makes them more vulnerable to foodborne illness.

Older adults: As people age, their immune system weakens, making them more susceptible to foodborne illness.

People with weakened immune systems: People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or diabetes, are more susceptible to foodborne illness.

People at higher risk for foodborne illness should take extra care to follow food safety guidelines. These guidelines include:

Clean: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling food. Wash cutting boards, utensils, and dishes with hot, soapy water after each use.

Am

Separate: Keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood separate from other foods. This prevents cross-contamination, which is when harmful bacteria from one food transfer to another food.

Cook: Cook food to the proper temperature to kill harmful bacteria. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of food to make sure it is cooked to a safe temperature.

Chill: Refrigerate or freeze food promptly to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

If you are at higher risk for foodborne illness, there are some additional things you can do to protect yourself:


Avoid raw or undercooked meat, poultry, and seafood.

Avoid unpasteurized milk and juices.

Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them.

Be careful when eating food from buffets or potlucks.

If you are unsure about the safety of a food, do not eat it.

By following these food safety guidelines, you can help protect yourself and your loved ones from foodborne illness.

Here are some additional tips for people at higher risk for foodborne illness:

Talk to your doctor about your risk. Your doctor can give you specific advice on how to protect yourself from foodborne illness.

Have a food safety plan. A food safety plan is a written document that outlines how you will handle and prepare food safely.

Educate your family and friends about food safety. It is important for everyone in your household to be aware of the importance of food safety and to follow food safety guidelines.

By taking these steps, you can help keep yourself and your loved ones safe from foodborne illness.The FDA has a variety of food safety resources available for people at higher risk. These resources include:


Food Safety for People with Weakened Immune Systems: This guide provides information on how to protect yourself from foodborne illness if you have a weakened immune system.

Food Safety for Pregnant Women: This guide provides information on how to protect yourself and your baby from foodborne illness during pregnancy.

Food Safety for Older Adults: This guide provides information on how to protect yourself from foodborne illness as you age.

Food Safety for Young Children: This guide provides information on how to protect your young child from foodborne illness.

In addition to these guides, the FDA also has a variety of other food safety resources available, including:


Food Safety Education Month: This website provides information on food safety education resources and events.

Food Safety for Consumers: This website provides a variety of food safety information for consumers, including food safety tips, recalls, and news.

Bad Bug Book: This book provides detailed information on foodborne pathogens and how to prevent them.

If you have any specific questions about food safety, you can contact the FDA's Food Safety Information Line at 1-888-SAFEFOOD (1-888-723-3366).


Here are some additional tips for finding FDA food safety resources:


Visit the FDA website at https://www.fda.gov/.

Search the FDA website for food safety resources using keywords such as "food safety," "pregnancy," "older adults," "young children," or "weakened immune systems."

Subscribe to the FDA's food safety email list to receive updates on food safety news and recalls.

Contact the FDA's Food Safety Information Line at 1-888-SAFEFOOD (1-888-723-3366) with any specific questions about food safety.Food safety is important for everyone, but it is especially important for older adults and people with cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, and autoimmune diseases. These people have weakened immune systems, which makes them more susceptible to foodborne illness.


Foodborne illness is a sickness caused by eating contaminated food. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and stomach cramps. In some cases, foodborne illness can be serious or even life-threatening.

Food Safety for Older Adults and People with Cancer, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Organ Transplants, and Autoimmune Diseases

Here are some food safety tips for older adults and people with cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, and autoimmune diseases:


Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling food.

Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them.

Cook food to the proper temperature to kill harmful bacteria. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of food to make sure it is cooked to a safe temperature.

Avoid raw or undercooked meat, poultry, and seafood.

Avoid unpasteurized milk and juices.

Refrigerate or freeze food promptly to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

Be careful when eating food from buffets or potlucks.

If you are unsure about the safety of a food, do not eat it.

In addition to these general food safety tips, there are some additional things that older adults and people with cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, and autoimmune diseases can do to protect themselves from foodborne illness:


Talk to your doctor about your risk. Your doctor can give you specific advice on how to protect yourself from foodborne illness.

Have a food safety plan. A food safety plan is a written document that outlines how you will handle and prepare food safely.

Educate your family and friends about food safety. It is important for everyone in your household to be aware of the importance of food safety and to follow food safety guidelines.

By following these food safety tips, you can help keep yourself and your loved ones safe from foodborne illness.Food Safety for Older Adults and People with Cancer, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Organ Transplants, and Autoimmune Diseases


Food safety is important for everyone, but it is especially important for older adults and people with cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, and autoimmune diseases. These people have weakened immune systems, which makes them more susceptible to foodborne illness.


Foodborne illness is a sickness caused by eating contaminated food. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and stomach cramps. In some cases, foodborne illness can be serious or even life-threatening.


Here are some food safety tips for older adults and people with cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, and autoimmune diseases:


Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling food.

Clean all surfaces and utensils used to prepare food with hot, soapy water.

Separate raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs from other foods to prevent cross-contamination.

Cook food to the proper temperature to kill harmful bacteria. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of food to make sure it is cooked to a safe temperature.

Refrigerate or freeze food promptly to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

Avoid raw or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs.

Avoid unpasteurized milk and juices.

Be careful when eating food from buffets or potlucks.

If you are unsure about the safety of a food, do not eat it.

In addition to these general food safety tips, there are some additional things that older adults and people with cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, and autoimmune diseases can do to protect themselves from foodborne illness:


Talk to your doctor about your risk. Your doctor can give you specific advice on how to protect yourself from foodborne illness.

Have a food safety plan. A food safety plan is a written document that outlines how you will handle and prepare food safely.

Educate your family and friends about food safety. It is important for everyone in your household to be aware of the importance of food safety and to follow food safety guidelines.

Here are some additional tips for older adults and people with cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, and autoimmune diseases:


Eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods contain nutrients that support a healthy immune system.

Get enough sleep. Sleep is essential for a healthy immune system.

Manage stress. Stress can weaken the immune system.

If you are sick, stay home from work or school to avoid spreading illness to others.

By following these food safety tips, you can help keep yourself and your loved ones safe from foodborne illness.


Food Safety for Older Adults and People with Cancer, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Organ Transplants, and Autoimmune Diseases
View other drafts

Food safety is important for everyone, but it is especially important for older adults and people with cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, and autoimmune diseases. These people have weakened immune systems, which makes them more susceptible to foodborne illness.

Foodborne illness is a sickness caused by eating contaminated food. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and stomach cramps. In some cases, foodborne illness can be serious or even life-threatening.

Here are some food safety tips for older adults and people with cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, and autoimmune diseases:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling food.
Clean all surfaces and utensils used to prepare food with hot, soapy water.
Separate raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs from other foods to prevent cross-contamination.
Cook food to the proper temperature to kill harmful bacteria. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of food to make sure it is cooked to a safe temperature.
Refrigerate or freeze food promptly to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
Avoid raw or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs.
Avoid unpasteurized milk and juices.
Be careful when eating food from buffets or potlucks.
If you are unsure about the safety of a food, do not eat it.
In addition to these general food safety tips, there are some additional things that older adults and people with cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, and autoimmune diseases can do to protect themselves from foodborne illness:

Talk to your doctor about your risk. Your doctor can give you specific advice on how to protect yourself from foodborne illness.
Have a food safety plan. A food safety plan is a written document that outlines how you will handle and prepare food safely.
Educate your family and friends about food safety. It is important for everyone in your household to be aware of the importance of food safety and to follow food safety guidelines.
Here are some additional tips for older adults and people with cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, and autoimmune diseases:

Eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods contain nutrients that support a healthy immune system.
Get enough sleep. Sleep is essential for a healthy immune system.
Manage stress. Stress can weaken the immune system.
If you are sick, stay home from work or school to avoid spreading illness to others.
By following these food safety tips, you can help keep yourself and your loved ones safe from foodborne illness.

Food Safety Booklet for Pregnant Women, Their Unborn Babies, and Children Under Five

Why is food safety important for pregnant women, their unborn babies, and children under five?

Pregnant women, their unborn babies, and children under five are at an increased risk of foodborne illness. This is because their immune systems are not as fully developed as those of older children and adults. Foodborne illness can cause a variety of health problems, including miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and birth defects. It can also cause serious illness in young children, including diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and dehydration.

What foods should pregnant women, their unborn babies, and children under five avoid?

Pregnant women, their unborn babies, and children under five should avoid the following foods:

Raw or undercooked meat, poultry, and seafood: These foods can contain harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.
Unpasteurized milk and cheese: Unpasteurized milk and cheese can contain harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.
Raw eggs: Raw eggs can contain harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.
Deli meats and hot dogs: Deli meats and hot dogs can contain harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.
Raw sprouts: Raw sprouts can contain harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.
Cantaloupe: Cantaloupe can be contaminated with Listeria, a type of bacteria that can cause serious illness in pregnant women and their unborn babies.
Honey: Honey can contain bacteria that can cause a type of food poisoning called botulism in infants.
How can pregnant women, their unborn babies, and children under five reduce their risk of foodborne illness?

Pregnant women, their unborn babies, and children under five can reduce their risk of foodborne illness by following these food safety tips:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling food.
Clean all surfaces and utensils used to prepare food with hot, soapy water.
Separate raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs from other foods to prevent cross-contamination.
Cook food to the proper temperature to kill harmful bacteria. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of food to make sure it is cooked to a safe temperature.
Refrigerate or freeze food promptly to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
Avoid raw or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs.
Avoid unpasteurized milk and cheese.
Be careful when eating food from buffets or potlucks.
If you are unsure about the safety of a food, do not eat it.
Here are some additional tips for pregnant women, their unborn babies, and children under five:

Talk to your doctor about your risk. Your doctor can give you specific advice on how to protect yourself and your baby from foodborne illness.
Have a food safety plan. A food safety plan is a written document that outlines how you will handle and prepare food safely.
Educate your family and friends about food safety. It is important for everyone in your household to be aware of the importance of food safety and to follow food safety guidelines.
By following these food safety tips, you can help keep yourself, your unborn baby, and your child safe from foodborne illness.