Partnership for Food Safety Education

The Partnership for Food Safety Education is a nonprofit organization established with the aim of preventing illnesses and fatalities caused by foodborne infections within the United States. The organization employs resources premised on scientific evidence to effectively engage its target audience. Its members consist of individuals representing various sectors, including the food industry, professional societies specializing in food science, nutrition, and health consumer groups, as well as key government agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Food and Drug Administration. The organization's services cater to health and food safety educators nationwide who identify themselves as "BAC! Fighters."

History
The Partnership for Food Safety Education (PFSE) was established in the United States in 1994 with the objective of educating consumers about safe food handling practices to reduce the occurrence of foodborne illnesses. PFSE is a non-profit organization that collaborates with government agencies, industry associations, and academic institutions to promote food safety education through its "Fight BAC!" campaign. The campaign provides consumers with clear and practical guidelines for safe food handling, including handwashing, proper cooking temperatures, and timely refrigeration.

The original signatories to the memorandum of understanding (MOU) included the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and Education. The responsibilities of PFSE, FDA, CDC, FSIS, CSREES, and ED involve developing a unifying theme or slogan similar to "Five a Day" or "Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires." Educational messages will be disseminated through various channels, such as the existing networks of each signatory, media outlets, government entities at the local, state, and federal levels, public health offices, consumer organizations, and private sector businesses.

In 2003, the Partnership for Food Safety Education received a determination letter from the IRS, recognizing it as a nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3).

In 2010, the Partnership conducted a strategic analysis and identified three focal areas: convening, amplifying, and evaluating. The Partnership supports consumer food safety education through these approaches by bringing stakeholders together, raising awareness, and assessing the effectiveness of educational efforts.

Fight BAC! Campaign
The Partnership for Food Safety Education is responsible for the development of the Fight BAC! campaign. In 1997, the campaign was established through a collaborative initiative involving industry representatives and federal government agencies with the aim of promoting consumer food safety education. During the campaign's development, sixteen focus groups were conducted in six cities to gather insights and input from the public. These efforts contributed to shaping the content and direction of the campaign.