The National Food Safety Information Network, one of the initiatives in the May 1997 National Food Safety Initiative Report to the President, brings together the Federal Government's primary mechanisms for providing food safety information to the public. The "Network's" goal is to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the government's food safety information dissemination activities.

The "Network" consists of:

• USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline: a toll-free telephone service that helps consumers prevent foodborne illness, specifically by answering questions about safe storage, handling, and preparation of meat and poultry products.
• Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) Outreach and Information Center: a toll-free telephone service that helps provide information to the public and answers consumer and industry questions about food (excluding meat and poultry), seafood, and cosmetics.
• FoodSafety.gov web site: a gateway to federal, state and local government food safety information.
• EdNet, the National Food Safety Educator's Network: the federal government's (FDA, USDA, CDC) electronic network for providing food safety information to educators.

The "Network" members shareinformation and cooperate on joint initiatives designed to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the federal government's efforts to provide and respond to the public's need for up-to-date, scientifically based, food safety information.