EdNet: The National Food Safety Educator's Network

USDA Expands Meat and Poultry Hotline Hours

FSIS has expanded the hours of its Meat and Poultry Hotline (1-888-674-6854) and Ask Karen chat services. They are now available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time/7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pacific Time. The services assists in the prevention of foodborne illnesses by answering consumers’ questions about the safe storage, handling and preparation of meat, poultry and egg products. The hotline is keeping its phone, chat and email lines open an additional two hours to provide more time for consumers to contact live food specialists. Food safety expert can be reached live at 1-888-674-6854, or visit Ask Karen to chat or email (in English or Spanish), Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time/7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pacific Time. For more information see our related News Release.