FSIC Information Specialists are available to answer food safety questions and help you locate resources and information. Before using the Contact Us form below, please view some Common Questions first:

• Contacts and Experts
• Current Research and Literature
• Food Recalls and Product Complaints
• Food Storage and Handling
• Food Technology
• HACCP
• Import and Export
• Jobs and Professional Development
• Laws and Regulations
• Pathogens and Contaminants
• Standards and Guidelines
• Training Materials

If you could not find the information you are looking for on our web site, try our Custom Food Safety Search Engine which will search for information from other relevant and credible sources that have been specially selected:

If you are looking for scholarly papers, full text of books, or patents, please type in your search terms below:

• If you have a nutrition related question, contact the Food and Nutrition Information Center.

• If you are looking for information on canning or other ways of preserving food at home, please see fact sheets available from the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

• For ordering bulk quantities of some food safety educational materials that can be used as handouts, educators can try to contact their regional FDA Public Affairs Specialist or the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) at FSIS.Outreach@usda.gov.

• If you are interested in opening your own food business, please contact your state or local health department for information about required licenses, permits, and inspections.

*Please note that we are unable to provide a diagnosis of foodborne illness. Consult with your health care provider instead.

You may also Ask a Question via the following:

In person: Food Safety Information Specialists are available Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the National Agricultural Library (NAL) by appointment only. Or you can ask your question at the DC Reference Center (DCRC) and the staff will relay it to a Food Safety Information Specialist at NAL.

By phone: (301) 504-5515 (NAL)/202-720-3434 (DCRC)

By fax: (301) 504-7680 (NAL)/202-720-0342 (DCRC)

By mail:
Food Safety Information Center
National Agricultural Library
10301 Baltimore Avenue, Room 304
Beltsville, MD 20705

Note: Most questions are answered within two business days of receipt. A reference librarian will contact you if more time or information is needed.