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Food Safety
Food Safety Tips
Each year, roughly one out of six Americans (or 48 million people) gets sick; 128,000 are hospitalized; and 3,000 die from foodborne diseases. The food industry is responsible for producing safe food. Government agencies are responsible for setting food safety standards, conducting inspections, and monitoring food products, including imports. Consumers also play a huge role in keeping their food safe and wholesome. Simple steps like purchasing foods from an approved source, cooking food thoroughly, practicing good hygiene when handling foods, and proper food storage can help reduce the risk of foodborne illness. The link below offers tips for consumers to help keep their food safe.
Visit the FoodSafety.gov Website
FoodSafety.gov is the gateway to food safety information provided by government agencies, including the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all of which serve important roles in ensuring food safety in the U.S.
How Michigan Ensures Food Safety
The primary responsibility of the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) is to assure the safety and wholesomeness of Michigan's food supply. MDARD regularly monitors Michigan's food supply for pesticide residues, micro-organisms, and other substances that would compromise the quality and wholesomeness of the food we eat. That long-standing commitment to a safe food supply has earned Michigan a national reputation for strictly enforcing the state's food and dairy laws. MDARD inspectors monitor Michigan's food supply at each step in the food chain and helps assure that food stays safe from the farm the farm gate to your dinner plate.
Learn about protecting food at each step in the food chain
How to Report a Food Safety Concern or Violation
If you have a question or concern about food you or your family has purchased or eaten, please call the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development toll-free at 800-292-3939 or send an e-mail to MDA-Info@Michigan.gov. You will be connected with someone who can answer your question or help address your concern. If you have become ill and suspect foodborne illness, please seek medical attention. If possible, save any leftover suspect food and its packaging in a sealed plastic bag or container and store it in the freezer. If foodborne illness is confirmed, this food sample may be helpful in determining the source of contamination. You may also file a food safety complaint online through the MDARD online complaint form.