If food safety was simple, as so many industry, academic and government types remind us, then why do so many people get sick?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Ad Council are teaming up with 20th Century FOX to launch a series of public service advertisements featuring Alvin and the Chipmunks.

The TV, radio, web and out-of-home ads–aimed at educating children and parents about the importance of food safety–will be centered around four basic food safety steps:

Clean – Wash hands with soap and warm water before and after handling raw food.

Separate:

Cook: Cook foods to the safe temperature by using a food thermometer.

Chill: Chill foods promptly if not consuming immediately after cooking.

Warm water is irrelevant and USDA knows this, but they continue to go with soundbites.

Also, USDA forgets one step the World Health Organization likes to include: Source food from safe sources.

And Jason Lee: Really?