Food Safety Emergency Response

Prevent Foodborne Illness During Emergencies and Disasters

Emergencies and disasters may disrupt operations and increase food safety risks. Planning for an emergency or disaster is key to keeping food safe and will help you to respond quickly and effectively.

Program Operators

We coordinate with state, local, and voluntary organizations to provide nutrition assistance to those most affected by a disaster or emergency. Visit FNS Disaster Assistance for more information and resources.

School Nutrition Professionals

The Food Safety Emergency Response Pocket Guide supports school nutrition professionals in their response to food safety emergencies caused by disasters and weather-related events and is available in English and Spanish.

This resource provides key food safety practices and information for school nutrition professionals to consider in various emergency situations to ensure the safe service of school meals and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

Emergencies caused by disasters and weather-related events are addressed, including power outages, water outages, water contamination, sewage issues, floods and fires. The resource can be used in a variety of ways including:

1. Extensive training on multiple topics and types of emergencies, or
2. Quick refresher, just-in-time, and on-the-go trainings focused on a specific topic and emergency.

The Assembling Food Safety Emergency Supply Kits Poster is a supplementary resource which highlights key supplies to include in emergency kits that may be used during emergencies and disasters that impact foodservice operations.

These resources can be bookmarked, downloaded and printed. To download the full resource, please right-click on the link provided and "save link as."

Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance Center provides information and resources to build the preparedness capacity of schools, school districts, institutions of higher education, and their community partners at the local, state, and federal levels. 

Child Nutrition Program Operators

Visit the Institute of Child Nutrition’s Food Safety Resources webpage for additional resources for child nutrition program operators. Some resources that may be useful during emergencies and disasters are:

• Water Emergency Mini-Poster
• Loss of Water Service in Schools
• Salvaging Food after a Flood
• Reopening Your School Kitchen after a Flood
• Food Safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Food Safety Logs

Consumers

• Resources from USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS):
  • Emergencies and Food Safety
  • Safe Food Handling and Preparation
  • Consumer Inquiries: Meat and Poultry Hotline, Ask USDA, Report a Problem
• Resources from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
  • Food and Water Safety During Power Outages and Floods
  • Consumer Food Safety Resources
• Resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
  • Natural Disasters and Severe Weather (Food and Water)
  • Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency
• Resources from FoodSafety.gov:
  • Food Safety in a Disaster or Emergency
  • Food Safety Charts
  • Food Keeper App