Published on:
29
May 2008
A total of 44 cases of food poisoning were reported in Clackmannanshire last year. Each of these cases was investigated by the Food Safety Team at Clackmannanshire Council's Environmental Health Service
This equates to nearly 1 person a week suffering from food poisoning symptoms such as sickness and diarrhoea. Many cases of food borne illness go unreported with only a few who experience illness reporting it to their doctor or local Environmental Health Service, the true incidence of food poisoning may be far greater.
For this reason the theme for National Food Safety Week, which runs from 9th June to 13th June 2008, is GermWatch with a focus on the four Cs - cooking, cleaning, chilling and avoiding cross contamination.
In the summer months there is a surge of food poisoning cases in the UK. Of particular relevance at this time of year is the need to follow the four Cs at barbecues.
Cleaning - always wash your hands before touching or preparing food, and clean all cooking and eating utensils and surfaces after use.
Cooking - undercooked burgers, sausages and poultry can cause food poisoning. Take extra care when cooking them so there are no pink bits inside and the juices run clear.
Chilling - food poisoning bugs like it hot, so in warm weather keep food cold until it's time to eat or cook it.
Cross contamination - by far the most confusing issue for consumers. It is the transfer of bacteria from one food, often raw, to another food, often cooked and ready to eat. Cross contamination requires a vehicle such as knifes, chopping boards, hands and cleaning cloths. Prevent cross contamination by using different equipment for raw and cooked foods, and keeping raw and cooked food separate.
Don't become another food poisoning statistic - use the four Cs for barbecue safety.
You can find out more about GermWatch and how to minimise cross-contamination during Food Safety Week at Morrisons Supermarket, Alloa, where members of Clackmannanshire Council's Environmental Health Service will be present to give advice and information. They will be in store on Thursday 12th June between noon and 3pm. There will be a chance to enter a fantastic competition to win some great prizes including a signed cookbook by celebrity chef James Martin.
For more information contact:
Gillian McLean, Technical Officer, Clackmannanshire Council, Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa, FK10 1 EB
Tel: 01259 452584
Email: gmclean3@clacks.gov.uk
16th National Food Safety Week will be from 9th to 13th June 2008. The annual National Food Safety Week is the point in the calendar for highlighting the importance of food safety and the basic principles of food hygiene. GermWatch is the theme for this year's Food Safety Week. The four Cs remain the focus for GermWatch Week. The four Cs are:
Cleaning
Cooking
Chilling
Cross-contamination