National Food Safety Educator's Network (EdNET)
Government agencies responsible for food safety education (the Food and Drug administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services; the Food Safety and Inspection Service, the Cooperative States Research, Education and Extension Service, and the agriculture Research Service) are working together with industry, the states, consumer groups, health organizations, and academia to form a national alliance, or network, for food safety education, called the National Food Safety Educator's Network (EdNet). The goal of EdNet is to provide a forum where all parties interested in food safety education can communicate and share information easily on an ongoing basis. While there have always been informal contacts between the various groups and organizations, there has not been a system to connect the myriad of interested parties. Often it has been the "professional grapevine" that has connected educators together to exchange information. The concept of a national alliance, or network was raised at various public forums, including open discussion of the President's Food Safety Initiative, and had universally strong support. EdNet will serve as an umbrella organization to support a network of food safety educators, to encourage the development and continuation of food safety education programs, and to facilitate communication between the interested parties. Using the internet as a primary mode of contact, communication will be easier, quicker and more extensive than has been possible in the past. To begin, EdNet will be a direct mail (e-mail) communication from the federal government to subscribers. To join the Network, EdNet, send your name, email and phone number, by email to: CSchiffm@Bangate.FDA.gov OR susan.conley@usda.gov. Please be sure to state whether your interest is primarily: Consumer/Health professional OR Retail/Food service education.
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