ARLINGTON, VA - September 14, 2017 – The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) today pays tribute to the 20th anniversary of the Partnership for Food Safety Education (PFSE) at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

In 1997, FMI joined 13 other organizations as founding members of PFSE to better develop and promote effective education programs reducing consumer risk of food poisoning.

“I had the opportunity to hold a leadership role in the creation of the Partnership for Food Safety Education and work in tandem with industry partners, federal government agencies, and the food science community to launch a consumer education program in food safety,” said Dagmar Farr, senior vice president of membership and education at the Food Marketing Institute. “Over the past two decades, the PFSE has successfully provided millions of customers the tools they need to practice proper food safety in their homes.”

The PFSE promotes four core principles to serve as reminders for consumers in their kitchens: Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill. These four messages remain constant against the backdrop of shifting consumer food preferences and changes in the food retail landscape. FMI will continue to support the PFSE mission to prevent foodborne illness.

Dr. Hilary Thesmar, PhD, RD, CFS, chief food and product safety officer and senior vice president of food safety programs at the Food Marketing Institute, and board chairman of PFSE, said: “Ninety-five percent of shoppers trust their grocery store to ensure that the food they purchase is safe, per the FMI’s U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2017 report. Our food retail members prioritize shopper safety, and that commitment extends to supporting consumers once they take the products home by aligning safe food handling practices with the various forms of food preparation at home.  The PFSE messaging provides retailers and wholesalers with the food safety messages and educational materials that they can use to further that conversation with their customers."  

 “Food safety is an issue for every nation, and every person in every nation.” said Leslie G. Sarasin, president and chief executive officer of the Food Marketing Institute. ”The Partnership for Food Safety Education strengthens the food retail industry’s efforts to make all food as safe as possible – including when it reaches the home.”

The PFSE is supported currently by a network of leading industry organizations, scientific and professional societies and other non-profit and for-profit organizations. Support from contributing partners is essential to the continued health and operation of the PFSE.