From the U.S.D,A,

The USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline can answer your food safety questions. This toll-free telephone service, which began July 1, 1985, helps prevent foodborne illness Call the USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline at: 1-888-MPHotline 1-888-674-6854 Or send Email to: mphotline.fsis@usda.gov By phone or on the Web, answers to your questions on... Safe food storage, handling, preparation Product dating Product content Power outages and much more! See Also: Seasonal Fact Sheets, Featuring USDA Food Safety Planner for 2005 Ask Karen - the "Virtual Representative" What to Do If You Have a Problem with Food Products specifically 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. You may speak with a food safety specialist — in English or Spanish — from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on weekdays year round. An extensive menu of recorded food safety messages may be heard 24 hours a day. Dial the nationwide toll-free number, 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854). The toll-free number for the hearing impaired (TTY) is 1-800-256-7072. (The Hotline is closed on Federal government holidays, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day. Hours of operation on Thanksgiving are 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time). Hotline History: Activity Report | PDF Making the Connection: Activity Report of the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline for 2000 Common Food Safety Questions For answers to all of your most frequently asked questions about food safety.

Last Modified: February 6, 2006