The USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline can personally answer your food safety questions on weekdays year-round. The Hotline receives more than 80,000 calls yearly. This toll-free telephone service, which began on July 1, 1985, helps prevent foodborne illness by answering questions about the safe storage, handling, and preparation of meat, poultry,and egg products. The Hotline is staffed by food safety specialists with backgrounds in home
economics, nutrition, and food technology.
The majority of calls come from consumers regarding how to properly handle their food, including food safety during power outages; food manufacturer
recalls; foodborne illnesses; and the inspection of meat, poultry, and egg products.
