03 September 2010Lunch clubs across Sevenoaks District can expect to receive information in the coming days with advice on food safety as part of National Food Safety Week which starts today.
This year National Food Safety Week focuses on safe storage and handling of food to protect against listeria infection.
To tie in with the week Sevenoaks District Council’s Food Safety Team is sending a letter and fact sheet to lunch clubs in the District giving practical food safety advice to help guard against listeria.
Research published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) today reveals that people over the age of 60 are more likely to take risks with ‘use by’ dates than younger people.
Eating food beyond its ‘use by’ date increases the risk of food poisoning from listeria. A recent sharp rise in the number of people taken ill with listeria has seen more older people affected by the food bug.
The number of cases of listeria food poisoning rose by 20 per cent in 2007, and has doubled since 2000, with the increase occurring predominantly amongst people over 60.
The FSA research shows that less than half of this age group recognise ‘use by’ dates as an important indicator of whether food is safe or not, and could be putting themselves at risk of serious illness.
Listeria is a bacteria, which may be present in certain foods, such as unpasteurised cheese, cold meats, pate, smoked fish and chilled ready meals.
It is unusual in that it multiplies at a wide range of temperatures, including below 5ºC. So, if it is present in foods in a domestic fridge, it will grow during storage and, if the proper conditions are not observed, it could reach an infectious dose by the time the food is eaten.
Listeria bacteria are killed by thorough cooking and pasteurisation.
For most healthy adults, eating food which contains an infectious dose of listeria can cause a mild infection with flu like symptoms or a stomach bug. However for those over the age of 60 it can be much more serious.
The following advice is always appropriate for keeping food safe, and is particularly important in avoiding illness caused by listeria:
Cllr Elaine Bracken, Sevenoaks District Council Cabinet member with responsibility for food safety, says: "Although listeria isn’t common, it can affect more vulnerable groups, particularly older people. However following just a few simple pieces of advice can significantly minimise the risk of developing an illness from listeria."
Use by dates are placed on foods to inform consumers of the last day that the manufacturer considers the food safe to eat. This date is so important that it is an offence for retailers to sell food that has passed its use by date.
Best before dates are the dates by which the food’s quality will remain good. Since there are no safety issues with best before dates it is not illegal for retailers to sell food when they have expired.
For further information on food safety and healthy eating visit the Food Standards Agency Eat Well website.
For specific information on listeria visit the Health Protection Agency’s website.
Alternatively contact the Council’s Food Safety Team by calling 01732 227000 or e-mailing environmental.health@sevenoaks.gov.uk.
Notes for editors
The findings from the research conducted by the FSA also reveal the following:
Other research commissioned by the FSA into the attitudes of people over 60 towards food safety, showed that people were reluctant to throw away food and were often confused by fridge temperatures.
The research findings are taken from the FSA Public Attitudes to Food Issues Survey. The full report can be found by visiting the FSA website.
