Food Safety

Although the U.S. food supply is of high quality and among the safest in the world, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that up to 76 million cases of food-borne illnesses occur each year.  These illnesses contribute directly to at least 5,000 deaths per year, and lead to estimates as high as $9.4 billion per year in associated medical costs and loss of productivity.  The incidence of food-borne illnesses could be greatly reduced with the adoption of established food safety practices in the production, transportation, storage, preparation and service of food.  West Virginia University (WVU) Extension Service's ties to the people and institutions of West Virginia represent a unique opportunity to extend timely and factual information on food safety practices to targeted audiences.  These include childcare providers; food service managers in restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, childcare facilities, 4-H camps and similar establishments; consumers; occasional quantity cooks; older adults; health professionals; educators; volunteers who help feed hungry families and others.

Food safety education presentations are available to adult and youth groups by request.  This includes workshops, classes and "Germ City, Clean Hands, Healthy People".  "Germ City" is an interactive hand washing demonstration, exhibit, and education program.  It is science based and increases the awareness of the health risk of poor hand hygiene.

It is presented to elementary and middle school students and with participants during fairs, festivals, and community events.

During the growing season research based up-to-date information is available on safety preserving fruits, vegetables, and meats at home. The local office of the WV University Extension Service is the only source of U.S. Dept. of Agriculture research based guidelines. This information is free of charge upon request. Dial gauge pressure canners can be checked for accuracy by contacting S. Summers. Information fact sheets focusing on food safety are now available from the Putnam County Office of the WV University Extension Service, free of charge for the asking. Topics include: