Contact: Jerry Redding (202) 720-6959

USDA’S MASCOTS IN MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

Washington, D.C., November 13, 2000 -- For the first time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s educational mascots, Thermy™, BAC, and Power Panther along with Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl are appearing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. These characters will be seen by two million spectators lining the parade route in New York City as well as over 60 million viewers worldwide on television Thanksgiving morning.

"I’m delighted that USDA’s mascots will be featured in the parade," said Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman. "We’re pleased to introduce several new characters that highlight food safety and nutrition."

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) presents Thermy™, the messenger who encourages consumers to use food thermometers to ensure that foods are cooked to safe temperatures. Thermy’s message is "It’s safe to bite when the temperature is right!"  

The Partnership for Food Safety Education together with USDA, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) and more than 300 organizations, offers BAC. The purpose of this ugly green bacterium is to educate the public about safe food handling and preparation to reduce the incidence of foodborne illness. His message is "Fight BAC! Keep Food Safe from Bacteria.

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service’s new mascot Power Panther™ is known as the Nutrition and Physical Activity Communication Specialist." Power Panther™ encourages boys and girls to make healthy food choices and be physically active. His message is, "Eat Smart. Play Hard™"

"Smokey Bear" and "Woodsy Owl" will represent the USDA’s Forest Service. Woodsy Owl was created by the agency 25 years ago to bring conservation and ecology messages to children. Known for the slogan "Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute," another of Woodsy's messages is "Lend a Hand -- Care for the land!"

The oldest USDA’s highly regarded national symbol is Smokey Bear, celebrating his 52nd birthday this year. Promoting forest fire prevention, the Smokey Bear mascot was inspired by a fire-singed cub found clinging to a tree in a New Mexico forest fire caused by negligent visitors. His familiar message is, "Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires." Smokey the Bear previously appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as one of the giant helium-filled balloons.

The parade goes on no matter what the weather. USDA’s messengers will be there walking the 2 1/2-mile parade route. So look for Thermy™, BAC, Power Panther, Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl, and remember their important messages.

For more information about USDA’s educational campaigns, visit the Department’s Web site at: http://www.usda.gov .

For food safety information about meat, poultry, or eggs, call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1 (800) 535-4555; Washington, DC area, (202) 720-3333; TTY: 1 (800) 256-7072. It is staffed by home economists, registered dietitians, and food technologists weekdays from 10 am to 4pm Eastern time, year round. An extensive selection of food safety recordings can be heard 24 hours a day using a touch-tone phone.

"The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."

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