Federal Food Safety Information Hotlines

Two Federal Government hotlines answer questions about safe food handling.

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

• FDA Hot Lines for Consumers

  FDA has a general toll-free number: 1/888-INFO-FDA (1/888-463-6332).  If you use a rotary phone, dial 1/301-827-4573. In addition, there are toll-free hot lines on the following topics:

  • Food Information Line: provides information regarding the purchasing, handling and storage of food; telephone 1/800-FDA-4010 or 1-888-SAFEFOOD (1/888-723-3366).  If you require the use of a Relay Service, please call the Federal Relay Services (1-800-877-8339). 
    • This is a toll free relay service to call Federal agencies from TTY devices. FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) Automated Information Line is a toll-free telephone service that is digitally managed by an advanced technology system of call handling, tracking and information retrieval. This service provides consumers and industry with more than 200 hours of recorded messages addressing a wide variety of issues related to food safety, nutrition, dietary supplements, food labeling, food additives, food biotechnology, cosmetics, and women's health, plus special resources for kids. These recorded messages are available 24 hours a day.
    • You also may use this toll-free line to speak directly with FDA Information Specialists from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Information Specialists respond to inquiries related to food safety, nutrition, dietary supplements, food labeling, cosmetics, food additives, and food biotechnology.
    • In addition, the system offers more than two hundred CFSAN documents available by fax or mail.

     

• Public Affairs Specialists

• FDA public affairs specialists (PAS's) are located throughout the country and are able to respond to questions about FDA's programs, policies and procedures. PAS's provide consumers with information that has been prepared for public distribution.
• PAS's provide reprints of articles from FDA Consumer magazine, brochures, posters, teacher kits, press releases, and background papers on FDA-related topics.
• Consumers interested in obtaining audiovisuals can borrow or purchase agency-produced slide shows, videotapes and films. PAS's have information on the available materials, prices, and ordering instructions.
• PAS's also speak publicly on topics such as food labeling, health fraud, or AIDS awareness.
• To contact the public affairs specialist in your area, look for the Food and Drug Administration entry under the Department of Health and Human Services in the U.S. Government section of your local telephone directory.

US Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS)

• Ask Karen - USDA FSIS Virtual Hotline, 24/7 (This hotline answers inquiries from the public about the prevention of foodborne illness, as well as the safe handling, preparation, and storage of meat, poultry, and egg products, from an extensive database of food safety information.)
• Food safety information about meat, poultry, or egg products, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline’s toll-free number 1/800-535-4555, 1/888-MPHotline, or 1/888-674-6854.  In the  Washington D.C. area call 1/202-720-3333. The toll-free number for the hearing impaired (TTY) is 1/800-256-7072.  The Hotline is staffed by food safety experts, weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastern time.  You can also e-mail your inquiry to: mphotline.fsis@usda.gov 

• Food safety information is also available on the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov.