September 7, 2007

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Director Donald Koivisto today recognized September as Michigan Food Safety Education Month as part of a national campaign to promote food safety awareness.

“Protecting our state’s food supply and strengthening public health awareness are critical efforts to help keep Michigan citizens safe,” said Granholm. “National Food Safety Education month is an opportunity to remind everyone to take a proactive role in keeping our food secure.”

“The MDA and our partners strive daily to maintain food safety standards and protect Michigan consumers from deadly foodborne illnesses,” said Koivisto. “We all play a role in combating an invisible enemy - bacteria. Simple things like handwashing, cooking to a proper internal temperature, and separating foods greatly help reduce the risk of foodborne illness.”

Foodborne illnesses are a serious public health threat. Although the exact number of foodborne illness in the United States is unknown, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates as many as 5,000 deaths and 76 million illnesses each year are directly linked to foodborne illnesses.

MDA employees enforce Michigan’s comprehensive food safety laws and regulate the food supply at the state’s 17,900 food-processing plants, retail grocery stores, convenience stores, markets and fair concessions.

In partnership with local health departments (LHDs), MDA staff ensures the 31,000 state licensed restaurants are serving safe food to Michigan’s consumers and visitors. Additionally, MDA and LHDs investigate foodborne illness outbreaks and other food emergencies.

National Food Safety Education Month was created by the food industry in 1995 and is widely recognized by federal, state, and local governmental agencies, the food and agriculture industries, and consumer organizations.

For more information on food safety, visit MDA’s Web site at www.michigan.gov/foodsafety.