Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Newsletter
Although this publication is designed for educators, as a housewife we are educators every day – in word and actions. Check out this publication by the FDA/Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition:
FDA/CFSAN’s News for Educators: October – December 2016
10/03/2016
Welcome to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition’s (CFSAN) News for Educators! Check out our latest information and materials for educating your consumer groups; our resources include two exciting new nutrition programs. We also encourage you to share this bi-monthly update and invite your colleagues to sign up for future issues!
Food Safety
October is National Seafood Month – and a timely opportunity to remind constituents to help prevent foodborne illness when enjoying fresh and frozen fish and shellfish. In addition to basic food safety guidelines (clean, separate, cook and chill), FDA offers seafood-specific advice that includes buying only refrigerated (or “iced”) fresh fish or securely packaged frozen seafood without visible ice crystals (which could indicate that it was thawed and refrozen). Live shellfish should be inspected carefully and include labeling that shows the processor’s certification number. At home, frozen seafood should be thawed either overnight in the refrigerator, or sealed and immersed in cold water – not left on the countertop. Explore FDA’s helpful information, which includes a short video: Fresh and Frozen Seafood: Selecting and Serving It Safely
Nutrition
Science and Our Food Supply Adds a Middle Level Nutrition Module. FDA’s award-winning standards-based curriculum is the result of a long-term partnership between FDA and the National Science Teachers Association. Originally developed to teach science concepts using the real-world topic of food safety, the free program’s newest component broadens the focus to incorporate nutrition. Using the Nutrition Facts label as the springboard, the inquiry-based content fosters the instilling of positive nutrition behaviors for lifelong good health. Activities can easily be customized to science, health, and/or family and consumer science classes – so FDA asks that you share this exciting news with your education colleagues! Check out the new downloadable program addition here: Science and Our Food Supply: Using the Nutrition Facts Label to Make Healthy Food Choices.
Cosmetics
FDA Urges Consumers to Use Novelty Makeup Safely. Face painting is a popular trend, especially during Halloween season! For young trick-or-treaters, it allows better visibility than masks, which can make it hard to spot cars when crossing streets. It’s fun for teens and adults, too – for parties, and for greeting “ghouls and goblins” on the doorstep on Halloween night. Whether applying novelty makeup to a child or to oneself, follow package directions and never use products that aren’t intended for skin. Try a “patch test” to check for potential allergies and, rather than relying on package imagery, read instructions to see if it is safe to apply near the eye area or mouth. Also, know how to safely remove the product. See FDA’s complete information, including details about specific ingredients and reporting an adverse reaction: Novelty Makeup.
October is Health Literacy Month!
October is Health Literacy Month! Health literacy means readers can understand, find, and use your information to make informed decisions about their health. For useful writing tips and resources, see FDA’s plain language website. To read why health literacy is so important, see FDA’s Consumer Update.
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