The Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS) is highlighting its National Food Safety Education Month (NFSEM) resources. NFSEM is observed every September in the U.S. to raise awareness about preventing foodborne illnesses and to promote safe food handling practices.

Resources include recordings of food safety webinars and presentations, available on IAFNS’ YouTube channel. Users can access scientific webinars on Nano- and Microplastics in Food Containers, Federal and State Efforts on PFAS chemicals, and others.

Additionally, the IAFNS Food Microbiology Committee focuses on improving the understanding and control of microbial food safety hazards to enable scientifically informed decision-making. To support this mission, the committee’s Reference Strain Collection, which is available for research purposes, houses over 100 strains comprising Listeria monocytogenes, Cronobacter sakazakii, Salmonella, and bacterial isolates from floodwater samples.

IAFNS also participated in a Collective Day of Action on September 18, 2025, started by the Partnership for Food Safety Education. The day supports collective effort to bring awareness to safe food practices that help to reduce the risk of food poisoning.   

The month of September serves as a reminder for individuals and food safety professionals to commit to reducing the risk of illness from contaminated food.