National Food Safety Education Month promotes simple food safety practices that help keep food safe at everyone's table. 
By: Jessica Badour, Senior Project Manager, Food Safety Training, FMI
Great meals may look different from table to table, but they all start with the same ingredient: food safety. During National Food Safety Education Month, FMI is proud to support the Partnership for Food Safety Education’s 2026 theme, “Everyone’s Table,” which reflects a simple but powerful truth: No matter where a meal takes place, everyone deserves a safe food experience.
Today, September 18, FMI joins organizations and individuals across the country in the Partnership for Food Safety Education’s (PFSE) Collective Day of Action. Together, we can raise awareness about simple food safety practices that help reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
"Food safety is a shared responsibility, and that's what makes the Everyone's Table theme so meaningful. No matter where food is enjoyed, we all play a role in helping keep meals safe. The Collective Day of Action demonstrates the power of organizations working together to raise awareness and encourage simple actions that can help protect families and communities from foodborne illness." – Britanny Saunier, Executive Director, Partnership for Food Safety Education
Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, to prevent cross-contamination. Whether a meal is enjoyed around the family dinner table, in a school cafeteria, an employee break room, a grocery store prepared foods area or on the go, the same simple habits help protect us all:
1. Clean.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before preparing or eating food.
2. Separate.
Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, to prevent cross-contamination.
3. Cook.
Use a food thermometer to make sure food is cooked to a safe internal temperature.
4. Chill.
Refrigerate or freeze perishable foods quickly after meals.
Small actions can make a big difference. By following simple food safety practices every day, we can help protect our families, customers and communities.
To learn more:
- Partnership for Food Safety Education Resources
- FMI’s SafeMark® Food Safety Training for Retail
- Join the conversation using hashtags: #NFSM2026, #EveryonesTable and #FamilyMealsMonth.
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