CONSUMER SERVICES
As Americans, we enjoy the safest, most abundant, and one of the most economical food supplies in the world. That's not just opinion, but rather based on the results of the tests and inspections carried out every day by the food safety staff at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
No matter how much the food industry is regulated to ensure a safe food supply in the marketplace, you, the consumer, must properly store and prepare the food you buy so that it remains safe and you or your family do not contract food poisoning. VDACS and other authorities such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service (VCE) wish to share with you some food safety tips to help you and all consumers practice food safety and prevent foodborne illness.
And, we haven't forgotten our younger consumers either - Kids, check out our What's Cooking page for helpful information on how you also can become a safe food consumer!
Recommendations for safe food handling — from the market to the table to the refrigerator.
(a reprint from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Find out why you should care about food safety; get basic facts, tips, fun and more.
What's Cooking?!
Games & Coloring Fun
Book Marks
Quick Tips
The Scrub Club
Important links for guidance on strengthening food security measures, and contacts if you believe that food products have been exposed to nuclear, biological, chemical or physical agents.
Keeping Your
Food Safe
A guide to food safety.
Top 4 Cool Rules for Food Safety
Guidelines for proper
thawing and safe refrigeration.
What's Your Cool IQ?
A quiz to test your knowledge of cold food handling and
preparation.
About Food Poisoning
Information about the symptoms, causes, and prevention
of foodborne illness.
Food
Safety It's In The Bag
Here are some important tips when bagging groceries.
Science of Cooking
The accidental scientist