Information Bulletin
Food Safety Week 2009 15 – 21 June
National Food Safety Week aims to highlight the importance of food safety and the basic principles of food hygiene. This year, Food Safety Week will be taking place between 15-21 June. The focus of this years’ activities will be targeting older, more vulnerable people with food safety advice and information due to a rise in illness from the food poisoning bacteria Listeria monocytogenes (Listeriosis). Within the over 60’s age group, cases have doubled since 2001 and it now causes the same number of deaths per year as Salmonella and E coli 0157 combined. As well as this the key messages of Cooking, Cleaning, Chilling, and Cross Contamination from last years Campaign will be reinforced.
To support Food Safety Week the Shetland Islands Council Environmental Health Service have distributed posters and leaflets highlighting the dangers of Listeria food poisoning in the over 60’s to care homes, GP surgeries and health centres throughout Shetland.
The Environmental Health team has also set up information stalls at the Toll Clock shopping centre and the Co-op between the 15 – 21 June, where the public can get information on a range of issues, such as how to store food safely, advice on safe barbeques, and how to avoid food poisoning. Leaflets and other free promotional items will be available.