Food Safety Resources for Awareness and Outreach

The following resources, messages, and graphics are provided for local public health partners to use and share to help raise awareness about foodborne illness and promote food safety.

Food safety messaging can be shared year-round, but key times for awareness include:

Warmer-weather months

Many foodborne illnesses have a seasonal pattern, with many cases in California usually occurring during warmer-weather months, such as June, July, and August.

FDA Handling Food Safely While Eating Outdoors

Before or during holidays, food festivals, sporting events, and other local events when people come together to share and enjoy food

September – National Food Safety Education Month

FDA Food Safety Education Month Resources

FDA Everyday Food Safety Resources for Health Educators

Graphics & Social Media Messages

Graphics may be co-branded with local agency information and can be used for social media, digital ads, or as embedded links on webpages. Click an image to view and download (right-click and select “Save image as”).

Food Safety Steps

Reporting Foodborne Illness

Food-specific Messages (Eggs, Raw Dough, Oysters)
Raw Milk

Seasonal and Holiday Food Messages

Food Safety Steps

	Suggested messages: Following four simple steps at home — Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill — can help protect you and your loved ones from food poisoning. Learn more: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/ DCDC/Pages/FoodborneDiseasesandOutbreaks.aspx #FoodSafety can save you time and keep you healthy! Following 4 simple steps at home — Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill — can help protect you and your loved ones from food poisoning. Learn more about foodborne illnesses: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/ DCDC/Pages/FoodborneDiseasesandOutbreaks.aspx
	Suggested message: Practice the four steps of #FoodSafety! Step 1 – Clean: Wash your hands and the surfaces where you prepare food with warm, soapy water before you begin cooking. Learn more: https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/4-steps-to-food-safety#clean
	Suggested message: Practice the four steps of #FoodSafety! Step 2 – Separate: Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs away from ready-to-eat foods like salad and deli meats. Germs from raw meat can easily spread to other food if you don’t keep them separate. https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/4-steps-to-food-safety#separate
	Suggested message: Practice the four steps of #FoodSafety! Step 3 – Cook: Heat food to the right temperature to kill any germs that can make you sick. Use a food thermometer to make sure meat has been fully cooked. Learn more: https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/4-steps-to-food-safety#cook
	Suggested message: Practice the four steps of #FoodSafety! Step 4 – Chill: Refrigerate perishable food right away to prevent germs from growing. Germs can grow in food if left out at room temperature. Learn more: https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/4-steps-to-food-safety#chill
	Suggested message: September is #FoodSafety Education Month! Teach kids how to prepare food using the 4 steps of food safety: clean, separate, cook, and chill. Teaching good habits now will pay off later. Get fun games and activities for kids: https://www.fightbac.org/kidsfoodsafety/kids-games-and-activities/ #FoodSafetyMonth

Reporting Foodborne Illness

What to do if you think you have food poisoning

Report it to your county health department

See a health care provider to get tested

Keep track of what you ate in the past week

Suggested messages: 

Did you know? You can help @CAPublicHealth track and investigate foodborne outbreaks! If you think you have food poisoning:
- Report it to your local health department
- See a health care provider to get tested
- Keep track of what and where you ate

Your reports make a difference and can help keep others from getting sick. Learn more about foodborne illnesses and outbreaks: https://bit.ly/CDPHFoodborneIllnesses

Help us track and investigate foodborne outbreaks! Report food poisoning to your local health department. See a health care provider if you’re sick, and keep track of what & where you ate. Your reports make a difference! https://bit.ly/CDPHFoodborneIllnesses

Food-specific Messages (Eggs, Raw Dough, Oysters)

CDPH Safe at Home-Oyster Handling (PDF)

English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Simplified Chinese

Suggested message:

Happy Fry-day! Eggs can have germs called #Salmonella in them, so be sure to fully cook eggs or dishes made with eggs. Remember: Wash your hands and any surfaces that touch raw eggs so germs don’t spread. Get more #FoodSafety tips: https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/what-you-need-know-about-egg-safety

Don't risk getting sick! Wait to eat cookie dough until it's fully baked.

Did you know? Germs from uncooked eggs and flour in raw cookie dough can make you sick.

Suggested message:

Say “no” to tasting raw dough. Raw flour and eggs in dough or batter can contain germs that can make you sick. Don’t risk it – wait to eat dough or batter until it’s fully cooked. Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/foods/no-raw-dough.html

#FoodSafety #CookieDough

Don't risk getting sick! Cook oysters completely before eating.

Contaminated oysters don't look, smell, or taste different from other oysters. Always cook oysters just in case!

Suggested message:

Make sure to fully cook oysters and other shellfish before eating. Why? Raw or undercooked #oysters can be contaminated with bacteria that can cause a type of food poisoning called #vibriosis. Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/vibrio/prevention/vibrio-and-oysters.html

#FoodSafety #ShellfishSafety

Raw Milk

English

Spanish

Choose cheese made with pasteurized milk.

Raw milk and dairy products made with raw milk can be contaminated with animal poop germs that can cause food poisoning and other serious illnesses. Some people, especially children, may even need hospital care because they got sick from raw milk. The best way to stay safe? Choose #pasteurized milk and cheese! https://go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk
Raw milk and food made with raw milk may be contaminated with germs that cause food poisoning. Some people, especially children, may need hospital care because of raw milk. Stay safe, choose pasteurized milk and cheese! go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk

#RawMilk #ChoosePasteurized #MilkSafety

Elige queso hecho con leche pasteurizada.

La leche cruda y los productos lácteos elaborados con leche cruda pueden contener gérmenes que pueden causar intoxicaciones alimentarias y otras enfermedades graves. Algunas personas, especialmente los niños, pueden requerir atención hospitalaria por enfermedades a causa del consumo de leche cruda. ¿Cuál es la mejor manera de protegerse? ¡Eligiendo leche y queso pasteurizados! go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk
La leche cruda y alimentos elaborados con leche cruda pueden estar contaminados con gérmenes que causan intoxicación alimentaria. Niños, especialmente, pueden requerir de hospitalización debido al consumo de leche cruda. go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk

#LecheCruda #EscogePasteurizacion #LecheSaludable

Food Safety Tip: Check labels on milk - pasteurized is the safest option.

Why is pasteurization important? Pasteurization is the process of heating beverages and dairy products (like milk) to kill harmful germs that can make you sick. Symptoms of illness from raw milk can include fever, headache, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and vomiting. In some cases, more severe outcomes can lead to paralysis, kidney failure, stroke, miscarriage, or even death.

To protect yourself and your family, choose dairy products that state on the label that they are pasteurized. Learn more:  go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk
Pasteurization is the process of heating foods and beverages (like milk) to kill harmful germs that can make you sick. To protect yourself and your family, choose dairy products that state on the label that they are #pasteurized. Learn more: go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk

#RawMilk #ChoosePasteurized #MilkSafety

Lee las etiquetas de la leche - pasteurizada es la más segura.

¿Por qué es importante la pasteurización? La pasteurización es el proceso de calentar bebidas y productos lácteos (como la leche) para eliminar los gérmenes dañinos que causan enfermedades. Los síntomas de enfermedades transmitidas por la leche cruda incluyen fiebre, dolor de cabeza, diarrea, dolor de estómago y vómitos. En algunos casos más graves puede provocar parálisis, insuficiencia renal, derrame cerebral, aborto espontáneo, o incluso la muerte.

Para protegerte y proteger a tu familia elige productos lácteos que indiquen en la etiqueta que han sido pasteurizados.
Infórmate más: go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk
La pasteurización es el proceso de calentar alimentos como la leche para eliminar los gérmenes dañinos que causan enfermedades. Protégete y protege a tu familia, elige productos lácteos que han sido pasteurizados. go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk

#LecheCruda #EscogePasteurizacion #LecheSaludable

Did you know there are health risks with drinking raw milk? Germs in raw milk can make some people very sick, especially young children (less than 5 years old), pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems. For the safety of your family, choose pasteurized milk! Learn more: go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk
Did you know there are health risks with drinking raw milk? Germs in raw milk can make some people very sick, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems. For your safety, choose pasteurized milk! go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk

#RawMilk #ChoosePasteurized #MilkSafety

¿Sabías que beber leche cruda conlleva riesgos para la salud? Los gérmenes presentes en la leche cruda pueden enfermar gravemente a algunas personas, especialmente a niños menores de 5 años, a las personas embarazadas y a las personas con sistemas inmunitarios debilitados. ¡Por la seguridad de tu familia elige leche pasteurizada! Infórmate más: go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk
¿Sabías que beber leche cruda conlleva riesgos para la salud? Los gérmenes presentes en la leche cruda pueden enfermar gravemente a algunas personas. ¡Por la seguridad de tu familia elige leche pasteurizada! go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk

#LecheCruda #EscogePasteurizacion #LecheSaludable

Just because a dairy product is called "raw" doesn't mean it's better for you than milk or cheese that is pasteurized. There are no scientifically proven health benefits of drinking raw milk, but there are many well documented risks. Choosing pasteurized milk and dairy is the best way to safely enjoy the nutritional benefits of milk. Learn more: go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk
There are no scientifically proven health benefits of drinking raw milk, but many well documented risks. Choosing pasteurized milk and dairy is the best way to safely enjoy the nutritional benefits of milk. go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk

#RawMilk #ChoosePasteurized #MilkSafety

El hecho de que un producto lácteo indique que está “crudo" no significa que sea mejor para la salud que la leche o el queso pasteurizado. No existen beneficios para la salud científicamente probados por beber leche cruda, pero sí existen riesgos bien documentados por beber leche cruda. Elegir leche pasteurizada y productos lácteos pasteurizados es la mejor manera de disfrutar de forma segura los beneficios nutricionales de la leche. Infórmate más: go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk
No existen beneficios para la salud científicamente probados por beber leche cruda, pero sí existen riesgos bien documentados por beber leche cruda. go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk

#LecheCruda #EscogePasteurizacion #LecheSaludable

You may prefer buying foods that aren’t processed, but some food processing actually helps keep people safe. Cooking is a type of processing that helps destroy germs in food like raw meat without altering its nutritional value. Similarly, milk is pasteurized to kill harmful germs that can make people sick. go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk

#RawMilk #ChoosePasteurized #MilkSafety

Quizás prefieras alimentos que no estén procesados, pero de hecho, el procesamiento de algunos alimentos ayuda a mantener a la gente sana. La cocción es un tipo de procesamiento que ayuda a destruir los gérmenes en alimentos como la carne cruda sin alterar su valor nutricional. Del mismo modo, la leche se pasteuriza para matar los gérmenes dañinos que pueden enfermar a las personas. go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk

Quizás prefieras alimentos que no estén procesados, pero de hecho, el procesamiento de algunos alimentos ayuda a mantener a la gente sana. Cocinar carne cruda destruye los gérmenes y la leche se pasteuriza para matar los gérmenes dañinos que causan enfermedades. go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk

#LecheCruda #EscogePasteurizacion #LecheSaludable

Raw Milk (continued)

Germs like Salmonella in raw milk and cheese can make people sick with diarrhea, stomach cramps, and vomiting.

Suggested messages:

Did you know that raw (unpasteurized) milk and raw dairy products can make you sick? #Salmonella is just one type of harmful germ that can be found in raw milk. Anyone can get sick from these germs, but some people are more likely to get very sick, including young children and older adults. Learn more: https://go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk
Raw milk might seem like a fresh and natural choice for your family, but raw milk can contain germs from animal poop that can make some people seriously sick, especially young kids. Protect your family by choosing #pasteurized milk, which is a safer option. Learn more: https://go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk

#RawMilk #ChoosePasteurized #MilkSafety

Suggested messages:

Even on the cleanest farms, germs from animal poop can get into milk used to make dairy products. If you drink raw milk, you could get sick from harmful germs in the milk. The best way to prevent illness from dairy products is to choose and use pasteurized milk, which has been heated to kill harmful germs. Learn more: https://go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk
If you’re thinking about drinking raw milk because you believe it is a good source of beneficial bacteria (probiotics), keep in mind that you may instead get sick from the harmful bacteria. Probiotics can be found in pasteurized dairy products (such as yogurt or kefir), which are safer to eat than raw milk. Learn more: https://go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk

#RawMilk #ChoosePasteurized #MilkSafety

Germs in raw milk can make you and your family sick.

Suggested messages:

Even healthy, happy dairy cows can carry germs that make people sick. Germs from cow poop can easily make their way into milk during the milking process. If you or your child drink raw milk, you might be drinking germs from cow poop! These germs can make people very sick, and some might even need hospital care. The safest option for your family is to drink pasteurized milk. Learn why: https://go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk
Germs from cow poop can get into milk during the milking process. These germs can make people very sick, and some might even need hospital care. The safest option is to drink #pasteurized milk. Learn more: https://go.cdph.ca.gov/rawmilk

#RawMilk #ChoosePasteurized #MilkSafety

Seasonal and Holiday Food Messages

	Suggested messages: Start your holiday meal prep with clean hands and surfaces in the kitchen. Wash away germs that can cause food poisoning with soap and water before you get cooking! https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/food-safety-tips-healthy-holidays While cooking and baking this holiday season, remember to keep hands and surfaces clean in the kitchen. Wash away germs that can cause food poisoning with soap and water before you get cooking! https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/food-safety-tips-healthy-holidays
	Suggested messages: During your holiday meal prep, keep raw meat away from ready-to-eat foods in the kitchen. Use separate cutting boards for fresh produce and raw meat to help keep germs from spreading that can make you sick. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/food-safety-tips-healthy-holidays Did you know? Raw meat and poultry are covered with germs that can make you sick unless thoroughly cooked. Keep raw meat separate from other food. https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/4-steps-to-food-safety#separate
	Suggested messages: Did you know? You shouldn’t wash or rinse raw turkey because it can spread germs in the kitchen. Instead, cook your holiday turkey thoroughly to kill any germs. Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/foods/holiday-turkey.html Washing your turkey before cooking it can spread germs to other foods, utensils, and countertops in the kitchen. The best way to safely prepare a turkey is to cook it thoroughly – doing this will kill any germs that can make you or your family sick. Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/foods/holiday-turkey.html and https://bit.ly/TurkeyUSDA
	Suggested message: After your holiday meal, make sure to put away leftovers in the refrigerator within 2 hours. Germs that can make you and your family sick can grow in food that is left out at room temperature. Take time to chill! https://bit.ly/USDAFoodTemp
	Suggested message: Some favorite holiday recipes may call for raw or lightly cooked eggs. But some raw eggs can have harmful bacteria in them called #Salmonella. To keep from getting sick, adapt favorite recipes to make sure eggs are fully cooked or pasteurized: https://bit.ly/FDASafeFoodServing #Eggnog
	Suggested message: It may be tempting to sneak a taste of raw cookie dough this holiday season, but for your safety, wait to eat dough or batter until it’s fully cooked. Raw flour and eggs in cookie dough can contain germs that can make you sick. Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/foods/no-raw-dough.html #CookieDough