The latest tweet from the USDA’s food and nutrition service asks followers if they need “nutrition info on-the-go” followed by links to apps and web games for use by kids and adults, including some dealing with pigmeat products.
The USDA’s own “Ask Karen” app, for example, offers “24/7 virtual assistance and tips on preventing foodborne illness, safe food handling and storage, and safe preparation of meat, poultry and egg products”.
Clicking on the link takes followers to a listing of tips which includes one headed “ham thawing time” and another headed “how long can you keep ham in the refrigerator”. There’s plenty of follow-on advice is each case.
Further down the USDA launch page, there’s a listing of web games for kids to play, all with the aim of imparting essential food information. Highlighted games include “Ninja Kitchen” and “The Food Detectives”.
The Ninja intro states: “Speed is important, but in this kitchen, safety comes first. Stop for lunch at a cafe staffed entirely by ninjas.”
The Food Detectives intro is somewhat more sober, stating: “Through playing to learn, youth will understand the importance of the key messages in the Fight BAC food safety program.”