URBANA, Ill. — September marks National Food Safety Education Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of safe food handling practices across all food system sectors, from farm to table. Whether people grow, process, sell, donate, or consume food, everyone has a role in reducing foodborne illnesses.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 6 Americans becomes sick each year from eating contaminated food.
“Learning about food safety is one of the steps people can take on this journey,” says Lillian Nabwiire, food safety educator with University of Illinois Extension. “In support of this mission, Illinois Extension is proud to offer a comprehensive food safety website designed to serve farmers, home food consumers, processors, and restaurant professionals.”
The site features:
- Practical food safety tips and guidelines
- Upcoming training opportunities
- Resources for growers, processors, and food service workers
- Information on food donation safety, cottage food, and home preservation
Visit the website at go.illinois.edu/Food-Safety to explore these resources and stay informed.
For more information or questions about food safety, Extension staff are available to help. Contact them by email at uie-food-safety@aces.illinois.edu.
SOURCE: Lillian Nabwiire, food safety educator, Illinois Extension.
WRITER: Herbert Chavez, media communications coordinator, Illinois Extension.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.