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Resources

Food Safety Web Sites

Find news, safety alerts, consumer advice and more at the federal government's food safety information Web site.

Visit the Food Marketing Institute for the latest on the food retail and wholesale industry.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the public health agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture responsible for ensuring that the nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged.

Learn how to keep food safe from bacteria at Fight Bac!, the Web site of the Partnership for Food Safety Administration.

MEMBER AGENCY RESOURCES

Food Safety Workshop Calendar
This is the annual calendar of food safety trainings held at The Greater Boston Food Bank in Boston. The general public is welcome to attend ServSafe® courses.
Download

The Food Keeper
Use this consumer guide to determine shelf life of perishable and non-perishable foods. This is written from a consumer standpoint so timeframes may be shorter if product is donated to The Food Bank before distributed to the public. The timeframes are intended as one set of guidelines, not strict rules. These guidelines assume foods are packaged, stored and transported properly.
Search the guide here

Keeping Food Safe

This tip sheet contains basic food safety information for all Member Agencies of The Greater Boston Food Bank. These tips will help you keep the food you distribute safe and protect your clients from foodborne illness.

Download

Product Dating Information
Here is code dating guidelines and information for Member Agencies of The Greater Boston Food Bank.
Download

Evaluating Shelf-Stable Food

This guide will help you decide which damaged, shelf-stable foods are safe to distribute to your clients. These guidelines apply to shelf-stable foods only. Do not use these guidelines for perishable foods (refrigerated or frozen foods). This resource can be increased in size to 11x17 paper for posting in the agency.

Download

Hand Washing Sign
Post this colorful sign near sinks used for hand washing. It is bilingual and appropriate for children and adults. Provided by the University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension in Lancaster County and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department.
Download

ServSafe Signage, Posters, Quizzes and Fact Sheets

Will update link

Out of Code Sign
For Compliance with CMR 520.119 (F), agencies must separate out-of-code products from products within freshness code and post signage indicating products are being offered after the recommended last date of sale or best use.

Download

Donation Quality Control Form
Use this form during receiving or when evaluating to log discarded donations.

Download

Temperature Log
Use this temperature log to keep a daily record the temperatures of your refrigerators and freezers.

Download

Turkey Tips in different languages.

Click here for turkey tips in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Russian.

Seafood Tips

(Comming soon)

GENERAL FOOD SAFETY RESOURCES

Government Resources

Federal:

FoodSafety.gov
This site it the gateway to government food safety news and information.

Recalls.gov
This site is provides recalls from many federal agencies on food and other products. Sign up for email alerts.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is your online source for credible health information.

Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition, Food & Drug Administration
Search here for regulations and information relating to non-meat foods such as cereals, fish, produce, fruit juice, pastas, cheeses, etc.

FDA 2005 Food Code
View the entire reference manual providing science-based guidelines, policies and standards for retail food establishments for the prevention of foodborne illness.

Bad Bug Book
This is an excellent handbook providing basic facts regarding foodborne disease-causing microorganisms and natural toxins.

Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act
Effective January 2006, this Act requiresfood manufacturers to list eight major food allergens on food labels.

Food Safety and Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture
Here are the regulations and information relating to the commercial distribution of meat, poultry and eggs.

USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline
The Hotline is a free bilingual service answering questions on the safe storage handling and preparation of meat, poultry and eggs.

State:

Food Protection Program, MA Department of Public Health
Find here information on Commonwealth food regulations and food safety topics relevant in Massachusetts.

State Sanitary Code for Retail Food Establishments (105 CMR 590)
This section of the state food code relates to retail food establishments including restaurants, caterers, and meal programs.

Commonwealth Requirements for Food Labels
These requirements cover mandatory label information and required statements, nutrition labeling, and exceptions. See also Food Labeling and Consumer Protection Act under FDA section.

Massachusetts Food Protection Manager Certification Exam and Trainer Directory

Locate additional sites offering Food Protection Manager Certification training and exams accepted by the Commonwealth at this Web site. Included is The Greater Boston Food Bank who provides monthly ServSafe training to Member Agencies and the general public.

Massachusetts Partnership for Food Safety Education

Local:

Massachusetts Health Officers Association
Locate contact information for your local Board of Health. Follow 'The Official Roster of Boards of Health' link.

Educational & Industry Resources
Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
Find here resources for food industry and individuals on managing food allergens. This site also provides allergy alerts, special areas for children & teens, advocacy, research, downloadable handouts and posters (requires registration).

Partnership for Food Safety Education
This not-for-profit organization unites the food industry, professional societies, consumer groups, and government agencies to educate the public about safe food handling.

ServSafe®-National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
The ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification is one of the nationally recognized and accredited certifications accepted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Food Protection Program. Nutrition Department staff are certified ServSafe instructors. Trainings are held monthly at The Food Bank. Use the ServSafe site to check exam results, find additional training options, and download useful tools to support food safety training. (Access to some resources requires a free registration.)

ServSafe is a registered trademark of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.