Education
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
– Nelson Mandela
Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.
- Marian Wright Edelman
Most Americans think foodborne illness is simply a “bad tummyache” that may or may not send you to the bathroom for 24 hours. They are unaware that foodborne illness is a serious public health issue that affects one in six Americans each year and can lead to secondary long-term medical complications, such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure and even organ failure. Nor are they aware of the gaps in America’s food safety network that allow foodborne pathogens to find their way to our dinner tables. In fact, most Americans know more about car seat safety than they do about food safety.
As stated so accurately by Nelson Mandela and Marian Wright Edelman, education is the key to change. The Center for Foodborne Illness Research & Prevention (CFI) is dedicated to increasing awareness and education about foodborne illness and food safety issues so that Americans can make educated choices about what they feed themselves and their loved ones. CFI actively supports the prevention of foodborne illness by engaging in educational outreach partnerships and programs that will provide consumers, educators, health providers, food handlers, industry and policy makers with the information they need to:
- Recognize foodborne illness as a serious public health issue.
- Understand the potential for contamination as food moves from farm to fork.
- Identify the gaps that exist in the current food safety system and encourage science-based solutions.
- Recognize the symptoms of foodborne illness and treat them appropriately.
- Assess the risk of foodborne illness when making food choices.
- Understand the dynamics of contamination when handling food and the importance of practicing safe food handling techniques.
At this time, CFI’s education program is in its infancy.
Come back and watch us grow!