Giant Associates Sign Food Safety Pledge

    LANDOVER, Md., Aug. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Giant Food has launched an internal
 program focused on re-emphasizing the importance of food safety by having all
 of its store associates sign a food safety pledge.  The program incorporates
 the four Fight BAC!(R) messages: clean; separate; cook and chill. These
 practices protect perishable foods and prevent food borne illness.  The pledge
 emphasizes that it is the responsibility of each Giant associate to use the
 best food safety practices at all times.
     In late August all Giant stores received Fight BAC!(R) signage from the
 Food Marketing Institute (FMI), a trade organization that represents the
 supermarket industry.  These informative signs have been placed in strategic
 locations in food preparation areas to remind Giant associates about specific
 safe food handling practices.  A new hand washing video has also been made
 available to associates in all Giant stores.  "Food safety has always been a
 part of our commitment at Giant, and with National Food Safety Education
 Month(SM) in September, we want to re-emphasize how important safe food
 handling is to all of our associates.  The signs are a very effective tool for
 communicating this message," said Odonna Mathews, Vice President of Consumer
 Affairs for Giant Food.  She added, "Our commitment extends from our stores to
 our customers as well."
     Information on safe food handling will be available to consumers in the
 September issue of Giant's Healthy Ideas Newsletter and the Kids Corner flier.
 Both are free publications available at all Giant and Super G stores in the
 Healthy Ideas Kiosk.  In addition, Ms. Mathews will be promoting food safety
 through 60-second radio spots that will air in early September. Consumers can
 find safe food handling information on all types of products, information for
 high risk populations and answers to frequently asked questions at Giant's
 website, http://www.giantfood.com and http://www.supergfood.com .  Giant is
 also providing information to consumers by posting signs in all of its stores
 through September.  The signs will promote the message, "Don't Put It on the
 Bun Until It's Done." Brochures with the same message are also available
 advising consumers to use a thermometer or disposable T-stick to assure that
 hamburgers are cooked to the safe internal temperature of 160 degrees F.
     USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline and Giant representatives will talk with
 customers about using thermometers to ensure safe and tasty hamburgers, and
 other meat and poultry dishes at the following stores:
 
     Location                                Date      Times
     1454 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA      Aug. 31   10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
     12051 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD     Sept. 7   10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
     1414 Eighth Street, NW, Washington, DC  Sept. 7   2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
 
     Odonna Mathews added, "Giant believes that safe food handling practices in
 our stores and our homes are a year 'round effort, but during National Food
 Safety Education Month(SM) we are happy to partner with the federal government
 and the rest of the food industry to bring the issues into national focus."
     For additional information on safe food handling practices, consumers can
 contact the USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555 or
 1-800-256-7072.
 
                     MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT -  Click Here
                http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X32351772
 
 

SOURCE  Giant Food