FoodKeeper App Updated with Spanish and Portuguese Language Functionality

Jul 05, 2016

By: Chris Bernstein, Director, Food Safety Education, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA

FoodKeeper application open on mobile phone.

USDA recently updated its popular FoodKeeper application with Spanish and Portuguese language capabilities. Now Spanish and Portuguese speakers can use the app to better understand storage recommendations for 400+ items covered by the tool, including various types of baby food, dairy products and eggs, meat, poultry, produce, seafood, and more.

In the update posted to the Google Play and iTunesstores last week, users will find a new setting menu offering language options and the ability to display temperatures, weights and measures in Imperial or Metric units. In addition, improvements were also made to how the app syncs with the calendar of smartphones and tablets to reminder users to use food before it may spoil.

By helping users better understand food storage, the application empowers the public to choose storage methods that extend the shelf life of the food and beverages in their home. Better food storage should reduce food waste and reduce the frequency of users preparing and eating products that may be spoiled.

With the application, each user can:

Find specific storage timelines for the refrigerator, freezer, and pantry, depending on the nature of the product;
Get cooking tips for cooking methods of meat, poultry and seafood products;
Note in their device’s calendar when products were purchased and receive notifications when they are nearing the end of their recommended storage date;
Submit a question to USDA using the ‘Ask Karen’ feature of the application. ‘Ask Karen’ is USDA’s 24/7 virtual representative. The system provides information about preventing foodborne illness, safe food handling and storage, and safe preparation of meat, poultry, and egg products; and
Submit items not included in the database for consideration in future updates.

“These updates to the FoodKeeper are just one more example of FSIS’ commitment to serving diverse communities,” said Deputy Under Secretary of Food Safety Al Almanza. Since its launch in April 2015, the FoodKeeper has been downloaded more than 100,000 times. “We want to make sure the valuable information the application offers is available to as many Americans as possible, which is why we are now offering it in additional languages,” Almanza continued.

For those that do not have access to a smartphone, the FoodKeeper can also be access atFoodSafety.gov/FoodKeeper.