More than 650 public health professionals, health care providers and educators convened at the 2010 Food Safety Education Conference in Atlanta to discuss strategies aimed at increasing the public's knowledge of food safety and changing the behaviors that lead to foodborne illness. The conference was jointly hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and NSF International, a not-for-profit public health and safety organization.

Bryce Quick, deputy administrator for the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, addresses conference attendees

"Educating consumers and food handlers on how to prepare safe food is critical," Bryce Quick, deputy administrator for the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), told attendees. "The collaboration and insights of everyone here is vital as the USDA explores and tests myriad ... technologies and approaches to reach these audiences."

Conference topics included the use of social media to better reach consumers on food safety issues, how important it is to tailor the message to the audience and food safety as a shared responsibility. For more information about the 2010 Food Safety Conference visit www.fsis.usda.gov/Atlanta2010.