Clackmannanshire Council Online

A Closer Look In Your Fridge Could Save Your Life

Outbreaks of food poisoning often hit the headlines, with the over 60s being particularly vulnerable to illness. But, did you know that there has been a recent sharp rise in cases specifically within this age group caused by the germ Listeria monocytogenes? The number of cases in the over 60s has doubled since 2001 and it causes more deaths each year than Salmonella and E-coli O157 combined.

For this reason the Food Safety Team at Clackmannanshire Council is using this year's Food Safety Week, which runs from 15th to 21st June, to highlight the dangers of Listeria to people over 60 and the need for correct storage and handling of food in the home. Members of the Food Safety Team will be visiting several clubs and housing associations in the area during Food Safety Week.

Although the illness caused by Listeria isn't common, it can be life-threatening in people with reduced immunity such as the elderly. Listeria has been found in a range of chilled ready-to-eat foods, such as pre-packed sandwiches, pâté, butter, soft mould ripened cheeses, cooked sliced meats and smoked salmon. Vulnerable people should avoid soft mould-ripened cheese, such as Camembert and Brie, soft blue cheese, and all types of pâté, including vegetable.

Simple controls, however, can help to minimise any risk from these foods.

Over a period of time Listeria can actually grow at refrigeration temperatures, so chilled foods must be kept cold and eaten by their 'use by' dates:

Keep chilled, ready-to-eat food cold

• make sure your fridge is set at 5oC or below and working correctly
• foods taken out of chilled storage should be eaten within four hours - after that you should throw the food away
• maintain temperature control from storage until serving

Storage - follow instructions on the label

• don't use food after its 'use by' date - make sure you check the label before serving
• use opened foods within two days, unless the manufacturer's instructions state otherwise

You can find out more about Listeria and how to minimise the risks of illness during Food Safety Week by contacting the Food Safety Team at Clackmannanshire Council's Environmental Health Service.

For more information or leaflets contact: Food Safety Team, Clackmannanshire Council, Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa FK10 1EB
Telephone: 01259 452534/452541
Email: ehealth@clacks.gov.uk

Notes to Editor

The 17th National Food Safety Week will run from 15th to 21st June 2009. 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. For 2009 the focus will be on people over 60 and the need for correct storage and handling of food in the home. Listeria can grow at refrigeration temperatures.

Go to these websites for more information:

http://www.food.gov.uk/safereating/hyg/germwatch/#h_2

http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/publication/listeriafactsheet0708.pdf