Source:  USDA, 5/6/10

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today launched the USDA Food Safety Discovery Zone, a 40-foot long interactive, hands-on food safety learning experience bringing food safety information to towns and cities throughout the nation. This exciting new educational center on wheels is designed to improve public food safety awareness and behavior. The goal is to prevent foodborne illness by emphasizing the USDA's Be Food Safe messages: Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill.

"From the very beginning, this Administration has made food safety a top priority and today we are launching an exciting new tool to promote safe food handling practices," said USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Jerold Mande. "Promoting safe food handling practices is a key component of our effort to reduce foodborne illness."

The USDA Food Safety Discovery Zone was unveiled during Public Service Recognition Week on the National Mall in Washington, DC. After an initial appearance in Washington, the USDA Food Safety Discovery Zone hits the road and will spend nine months a year traveling across the United States to bring adults and children important food safety information. To find out when the USDA Food Safety Discovery Zone is coming to your area, or to request a visit, please visit FSIS' Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov/fsdiscoveryzone.