USDA Updates FoodKeeper App to Include New Food Items

Washington, D.C., Oct. 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 2018 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced new updates to its popular FoodKeeper application that will provide users with a larger selection of foods and beverages, and their storage information. This update adds 85 new food items to the FoodKeeper app, including chorizo, prosciutto, edamame, fresh salsa, canned tuna, cereal bars, and salad dressings.

The FoodKeeper app, educates users about food safety with guidance on the safe handling, preparation and storage of foods. The app also helps reduce food waste by showing users how long foods may last in the refrigerator, freezer or pantry, and allowing consumers to place reminders on their smartphone calendar, to use these items before they may spoil.

The FoodKeeper app is one way USDA is utilizing technological advances to better improve public health. It offers specific storage timelines for various products including meat, poultry, produce, seafood, dairy products and eggs, and more. With the app, users can:

• Access cooking tips, safe food handling information and cooking temperatures for various types of meat, poultry and seafood products.
• Add products to their device’s calendar and receive notifications when they are nearing the end of their recommended storage date.
• Receive information on food safety recalls.
• Search food and beverages in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

 

This new update comes as USDA wraps up its observation of Food Safety Education Month, which occurs every September. Since the FoodKeeper was launched in April 2015, it has been downloaded nearly 182,000 times. The app offers information on more than 650 food and beverage items, and it has an “Add Item” feature that allows consumers to suggest items that may not be in the app. The suggestions are reviewed and researched for future updates.

 

The app is available for Android and Apple devices. For those who do not have access to a smartphone, the FoodKeeper app can also be accessed at FoodSafety.gov/FoodKeeper. Storage times listed are intended as useful guidelines and are not hard-and-fast rules. Some foods may deteriorate more quickly while others may last longer than the times suggested.

Consumers can learn more about key food safety practices at Foodsafety.gov and follow @USDAFoodSafety and @USDAFoodSafety_es on Twitter. Consumers with questions about food safety, can call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or chat live with a food safety specialist at AskKaren.gov, available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, in English or Spanish.

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NOTE: Access news releases and other information at FSIS’ website at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls. Follow FSIS on Twitter at twitter.com/usdafoodsafety or in Spanish at: twitter.com/usdafoodsafe_es.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

Attachment

• Press Release_FoodKeeper Update

RAGAN COMMUNICATIONS
                    USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
                    202-720-9113
                    press@fsis.usda.gov