By: Alison Bodor, President and CEO American Frozen Food Institute
September is National Food Safety Education Month. In honor of this, I wanted to take a moment to share how the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) advances food safety education within the frozen food industry supply chain to ensure Americans have access to much-needed safe and nutritious frozen food options year-round.
Here’s how:
- Lead with science: AFFI has invested in scientific research with Cornell University, University of Georgia and the University of Minnesota to help member companies and regulatory authorities make better risk-based decisions. Our research has also guided the development of our recommended food safety practices for manufacturing operations. All published research is available at AFFIFoodSafety.org.
- Develop and disseminate best practices: Based on science, AFFI works with its members and the broader frozen food industry to develop best practices aimed at control and prevention of foodborne risks. AFFI’s Food Safety Zone serves as a one-stop food safety resource for the entire industry. This website allows manufacturers to search for, access and incorporate food safety practices, created by food safety professionals FOR food safety professionals. The tools are available for download so they can be applied to a company’s food safety plans.
- Collaborate to educate: AFFI collaborates with our members and other organizations to ensure consumers understand most frozen foods are intended to be cooked and to follow the package cooking instructions for safety and quality. AFFI is proud to support the Partnership for Food Safety Education (PFSE) to provide seniors, parents and more than 14,000 local health officials with important food safety messages.
This is how AFFI works to advance food safety through scientific research and education 365 days a year.