Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

National Food Safety Education Month – September 2024

National Food Safety Education Month is in September. It is a great awareness movement to educate oneself and others about food safety and about preventing food poisoning. Did you know that there are a lot more foodborne illnesses than you can think of? According to medical professionals, there are more than 250 foodborne diseases, all of which can be traced back to three categories of hazards: biological, chemical, and physical. This is a great time for you to read up on food safety and keep your house safe from deadly foodborne illnesses.

History of National Food Safety Education Month

You are what you eat. Poorly-prepared foods are prime hosts for bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Eating germ-infested food means increasing your risk of foodborne illnesses. Everyone is susceptible to foodborne illness and anyone who eats contaminated food can contract a foodborne illness. Eating contaminated food gives the illness direct access to the stomach. This is why some of us experience diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration when we have foodborne illnesses.

Technically, germs are excellent at being everywhere all the time. So, when we prepare food, we need to be sure to wash our hands, the kitchen, the utensils as well as the food ingredients if possible. Bacteria and germs are not the only dangerous elements; food contaminated with heavy metals or with naturally occurring toxins can also cause long-term health problems, including cancer and neurological disorders.

If you’re a homemaker, you can easily agree that a clean kitchen is a major line of defense between your family and the common cold, flu, food poisoning, and other food-related illnesses. Every household must ensure food safety, especially if there are children under five years old, pregnant women, adults over 65 years, or anyone with medical conditions. So, as consumers, we must be vigilant about food safety and be educated on how to handle food safely.

National Food Safety Education Month timeline

323 B.C.
The First Documented Case

The first case of known foodborne illness is documented.

1785
The First U.S. Food Safety Law

The government of the United States of America passes the first food safety law.

1862
The Birth of U.S.D.A.

President Lincoln forms the U.S. Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A.).

1906
The Birth of the F.D.A.

The U.S.D.A. Division of Chemistry becomes the Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.).

National Food Safety Education Month FAQs

How to clean our hands properly?

You need to wash your hands properly before eating to stay away from diseases. Start by washing front and back, between fingers, and under fingernails in clean soapy water for at least 20 seconds.

What are the four steps of food safety?

According to the C.D.C., you need to clean your hands, separate raw products from other foods, cook foods to their specified temperature, and chill foods promptly to prevent foodborne illnesses.

Why is food safety important?

Foodborne illnesses place a burden on public health and healthcare costs and contribute to them significantly.

How to Observe National Food Safety Education Month

  1. Educate others

    The best thing you can do to celebrate National Food Safety Education Month is by spreading awareness about food safety and good food habits. You can talk to your friends, family, and colleagues.

  2. Clean your food

    One of the impactful ways in which you can take part in National Food Safety Education Month is by starting to clean your food. Be it fresh tomatoes, avocadoes, or apples, wash them before you eat them.

  3. Share your story

    If you’re someone who has some experience or knowledge about food safety, you can share your story as well as the dos and don’ts of food safety through social media and let the world know.

5 Interesting Facts About Food Safety

  1. America suffers a lot

    On average, one in six Americans falls sick every year from eating contaminated food.

  2. Freezing foods can help

    Freezing foods slow the growth of harmful bacteria and are a great way to preserve food.

  3. Unwashed produce is fresh with germs

    Even the high-priced, farm-fresh vegetables contain germs that need to be washed away.

  4. Globalization makes food safety complex

    Globalization of food production can complicate foodborne disease outbreak investigation.

  5. You can use a thermometer

    You can use a food thermometer to ensure your food is cooked properly to kill bacteria.

Why National Food Safety Education Month is Important

  1. It emphasizes the importance of food hygiene

    National Food Safety Education Month is much-needed to emphasize the need for consumers’ knowledge of food safety practices. This helps us make informed and wise food choices.

  2. It is a shared responsibility

    Food safety is a shared responsibility among consumers, governments, industry, producers, and academia. So, the world as a whole has a role to play in keeping everyone safe.

  3. We can save the economy too

    Food contamination affects more than just public health. It can undermine food export, tourism, livelihoods of food handlers, and economic development. So, by ensuring food safety, we save the economy too.

National Food Safety Education Month dates

YearDateDay
2024September 1Sunday
2025September 1Monday
2026September 1Tuesday
2027September 1Wednesday
2028September 1Friday
Legacy Week
National Crime Prevention Week
National Waffle Week
Acne Positivity Day
American Chess Day
Building and Code Staff Appreciation Day
Building and Code Staff Appreciation Day
Cherry Popover Day
Chicken Boy Day
Chicken Boy Day
Emma M Nutt Day
Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
National Child Identity Theft Awareness Day
National Little Black Dress Day
National Monterey County Fair Day
National-No-Rhyme-Nor-Reason-Day
National No Rhyme Nor Reason Day
National Pet Rock Day
National Pet Rock Day
National Tofu Day
Pink Cadillac Day
Slovakia Constitution Day
Uzbekistan Independence Day
Wattle Day
Wattle Day
World Letter Writing Day
Animal Pain Awareness Month
Attendance Awareness Month
Baby Safety Month
Bear Necessities Month
Better Breakfast Month
Blood Cancer Awareness Month
Blood Cancer Awareness Month
Bourbon Heritage Month
Bourbon Heritage Month
Childhood-Cancer-Awareness
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Civil Service Month
Classical Music Month
Classical Music Month
Disaster Preparedness Month
Festival of Learning Have a Go Month
Footy Colors Day
Footy Colors Day
Global Company Culture Month
Gynecologic-Cancer-Awareness
Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month
Happy Cat Month
Healthy Aging Month
Intergeneration Month
Irish Heart Month
ITP Awareness Month
Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month
Liptember
National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month
National Chicken Month
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
National Cholesterol Education Month
National Condiment Month
National Food Safety Education Month
National Guide Dog Month
National Honey Month
National Organic Month
National Papaya Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
National Pediculosis Prevention Month/Head Lice Prevention Month
National Peripheral Artery Disease Awareness Month
National Pet Insurance Month
National Preparedness Month
National Preparedness Month
National Recovery Month
National Save a Tiger Month
National Service Dog Month
National Sewing Month
Newborn Screening Awareness Month
Oddfellows Friendship Month
Organic September
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Pain Awareness Month
PCOS Awareness Month
Pet Sitter Education Month
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Responsible Dog Ownership Month
Reye's Syndrome Awareness Month
Rule of Law Month
Save Your Photos Month
Self Improvement Month
Sexual Health Awareness Month
National Sickle Cell Awareness Month
Sickle Cell Awareness Month
Sourdough September
Sports Eye Safety Month
Suicide Prevention Month
Urology Awareness Month
Vascular Disease Awareness Month
Velociraptor Awareness Month
World Alzheimer's Month
World Animal Remembrance Month
World Candle Month
World Fun Fair Month
Yoga Awareness Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.