A Food Safety Primer : Safety Hotlines

Even the most thorough examination of food safety issues will leave some questions unanswered. Several sources provide information to the public. They include:

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* Meat and Poultry Hotline

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Food Safety and Inspection Service

(800) 535-4555

* Seafood Hot Line

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

(800) 332-4010

Free brochure, “If You Eat Raw Oysters, You Need to Know..., “ also available.

* Office of Consumer Inquiries

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

(301) 443-3170

For questions on all foods regulated by FDA, including dairy products, canned goods and processed foods.

* Food Safety Hot Line

Alliance for Food and Fiber

(800) 266-0200

For produce and pesticide issues.

* National Fisheries Institute

1525 Wilson Blvd., Suite 500

Arlington, VA 22209

Free brochure, “Fishing for Quality,” available. Send self-addressed, stamped, legal-size envelope.

* Food Marketing Institute

1750 K Street, NW

Washington D.C. 20006

Comprehensive series of food safety brochures, including “The Food Keeper,” available for small fee.

* Consumer Nutrition Hot Line

National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics

American Dietetic Assn.

(800) 366-1655

* AIDS Information Clearinghouse

P.O. Box 6003

Rockville, MD 20850

Free brochure, “Eating Defensively: Food Safety Advice for Persons with AIDS,” available.

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If you suspect that an illness is the result of food-borne bacteria, contact your personal physician immediately. Local county health officials should also be informed if a particular food item (and not an at-home preparation lapse) is the suspected source of the illness.