The Partnership for Food Safety Education is a

nonprofit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

established with the aim of preventing illnesses and fatalities caused by foodborne infections within the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

. The organization employs resources premised on scientific evidence to effectively engage its target audience. Its members consist of individuals representing various sectors, including the food industry, professional societies specializing in

food science Food science is the basic science and applied science of food; its scope starts at overlap with agricultural science and nutritional science and leads through the scientific aspects of food safety and food processing, informing the development ...

nutrition Nutrition is the biochemical and physiological process by which an organism uses food to support its life. It provides organisms with nutrients, which can be metabolized to create energy and chemical structures. Failure to obtain sufficient ...

, and health consumer groups, as well as key government agencies such as the

United States Department of Agriculture The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, and food. It aims to meet the needs of com ...

, the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the national public health agency of the United States. It is a United States federal agency, under the Department of Health and Human Services, and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgi ...

, and the

Food and Drug Administration The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA or US FDA) is a List of United States federal agencies, federal agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is respon ...

. The organization's services cater to health and food safety educators nationwide who identify themselves as "BAC! Fighters."

History

Th
Partnership for Food Safety Education
(PFSE) was established in the United States in 1994 with the objective of educating consumers about safe food handling practices to reduce the occurrence of foodborne illnesses. PFSE is a non-profit organization that collaborates with government agencies, industry associations, and academic institutions to promote food safety education through its "Fight BAC!" campaign. The campaign provides consumers with clear and practical guidelines for safe food handling, including handwashing, proper cooking temperatures, and timely refrigeration. The original signatories to the memorandum of understanding (MOU) included the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and Education. The responsibilities of PFSE, FDA, CDC, FSIS, CSREES, and ED involve developing a unifying theme or slogan similar to " Five a Day" or " Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires." Educational messages will be disseminated through various channels, such as the existing networks of each signatory, media outlets, government entities at the local, state, and federal levels, public health offices, consumer organizations, and private sector businesses. In 2003, the Partnership for Food Safety Education received a determination letter from the

IRS The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the revenue service for the United States federal government, which is responsible for collecting U.S. federal taxes and administering the Internal Revenue Code, the main body of the federal statutory tax ...

, recognizing it as a nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3). In 2010, the Partnership conducted a strategic analysis and identified three focal areas: convening, amplifying, and evaluating. The Partnership supports consumer food safety education through these approaches by bringing stakeholders together, raising awareness, and assessing the effectiveness of educational efforts.

Fight BAC! Campaign

The Partnership for Food Safety Education is responsible for the development of the Fight BAC! campaign. In 1997, the campaign was established through a collaborative initiative involving industry representatives and federal government agencies with the aim of promoting consumer food safety education. During the campaign's development, sixteen focus groups were conducted in six cities to gather insights and input from the public. These efforts contributed to shaping the content and direction of the campaign.

References

External links

Official website
{{Authority control Food safety organizations Non-profit organizations based in Arlington, Virginia 501(c)(3) organizations