As part of RD day and the RD day blogfest, each of the International Food Information Council Foundation's RDs is highlighting a key message and also what we've learned about messaging as communicators. Visit our main blog page for all 5 posts and see below for links to other blogfest participants.
By: Kerry Robinson, RD Date: 3/9/10
My favorite message to consumers: Clean, separate, cook, and chill.
To celebrate Registered Dietitian Day and the importance of the food and health messages dietitians deliver every day, we’ve heard about creating messages with IMPACT and also about positive messaging. Now I’d like to share an example of one of my favorite food safety messages that has true IMPACT!
First, you may wonder, why is a dietitian talking about food safety? It’s true that much of a dietitian’s time is spent communicating nutrition science; however, as the definition of nutrition, health and wellness broadens, and as we continue to witness heightened awareness and interest among consumers regarding food and health, dietitians may find themselves faced with questions from their clients, patients, or even friends and family about food safety.
That being said, one of my favorite messages about safe food handling is the Partnership for Food Safety Education’s Be Food Safe Four Core Practices for Safe Food Handling, which encourages consumers to clean, separate, cook, and chill to keep food safe from harmful bacteria.
As a dietitian and communicator, the message to clean, separate, cook, and chill comes to life because:
• The message is practical and hands-on
• It empowers consumers to take action to reduce their risk of foodborne illness
• It inspires and motivates individuals to follow safe food handling practices when preparing food for themselves and their loved ones
• The message is grounded in science and can be individualized as needed
This is just one of the many types of food safety messages we as dietitians can harness to encourage safe food handling. What’s your favorite food safety message?
To learn more, visit:
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service: Be Food Safe
Be Food Safe with Win: A Featurette on Food Safety
Other RD Blogfest posts:
Beyond Prenatals (Debra) - Vitamin D in Pregnancy and Beyond
Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, MS, RD - Can Dietitians Have Real I.M.P.A.C.T?
Sandra Meyerowitz, MPH, RD, LD - Changes Worth Making Take Time
Carrie Miller - What Nebraska Dietitians Are Saying
National Dairy Council- Nutrient-rich foods build a healthy diet
Janel Ovrut MS RD LDN - My Top Tips for Registered Dietitian Day!
Heather Pierce, MS, RD, CDE - Enjoy Food
Robin Plotkin, RD, LD - Give a Kid a Fish, Feed Him for a Day. Teach a Kid to Fish, Feed Him for Life
Elizabeth Rahavi, RD - The Art of Nutrition Messaging
Shelley A. Rael, MS RD LD - Food Is LIFE, Nutrition is HEALTHY Life
Marianne Smith-Edge, MS, RD - RDs are the Premiere Food and Health Communicators
Kris Sollid, RD - Unintended Consequences of Simple Messaging
Angie Tillman, RD, CDE, LDN- Take Time to Care for Yourself