Senator Marshall Highlights USDA Food Safety Hotline When Preparing Thanksgiving Meals

Wichita, KS - With Thanksgiving approaching, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. is urging Kansans to stay up-to-date on food safety when preparing meals by visiting the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Meat and Poultry Hotline.

"Consuming undercooked meat or spoiled food can turn Thanksgiving dinner upside down," Senator Marshall said. "The USDA provides a great, free service to answer questions about safely handling and preparing your meals this holiday season. Don't leave anything to chance, utilizing this hotline will ensure that your meal is safe and delicious."

The Meat and Poultry Hotline (1-888-674-6854), can answer questions about the safe storage, handling, and preparation of meat, poultry, and egg products to help prevent food-borne illnesses. Calls are answered by food safety specialists with backgrounds in home economics, nutrition, and food technology. To date, the hotline has answered more than 2 million calls.

Background:

• The Hotline is staffed by food safety specialists with backgrounds in home economics, nutrition, and food technology.
• The Hotline is open year-round Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET (English or Spanish).
• The Hotline is open on Thanksgiving Day from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p. m., Eastern Time, but closed on other Federal government holidays.
• Questions can also be emailed to [email protected]