Introduction:

This document, issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is intended to guide volunteers in safely preparing and serving food for large groups, such as family gatherings and community events. The document emphasizes the importance of food safety to prevent foodborne illness, which can be dangerous, especially to vulnerable groups (infants, young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems). It emphasizes that these guidelines are for consumer use only and are not a substitute for food safety laws and regulations in commercial establishments.