Delivering the message of safe food handling

MEAT+POULTRY Podcast

Consumer engagement with food delivery services surged during the pandemic. The NPD Group, Chicago, found that consumers increased their capacity for preparing meals at home, aided by a host of new appliances and gadgets in the kitchen. And as consumers return to school and work, portable on-the-go options or restaurant meals will regain some importance. But meals away from home won’t completely supplant at-home meal preparation.

So even as more individuals return to their pre-pandemic routines the trend of eating meals at home is expected to continue and with it, the need for education surrounding safe handling of food prepared in the home or delivered by a foodservice operator, meal kit provider or retail grocery store.

In response to the rapid growth of delivered meals at home, and on the occasion of September being Food Safety Education Month, the Partnership for Food Safety Education (PFSE) developed a program with print and digital resources for delivery service providers of all types to share with their customers. This week’s MEAT+POULTRY Podcast features Steven Mandernach, executive director of the Association of Food and Drug Officials and a member of the PFSE board of directors. He explains why education around safe handling of food deliveries is so important in a post-pandemic era, and what takeaways the partnership gleaned from consumer tests of the program called Prep Yourself.