COOKING meat and other risky foods safely is the focus of the 2017 Australian Food Safety Week, running November 11 to 18.
The theme this year is ‘Is it done yet?’
The campaign urges people to cook meat and other risky foods safely by using a food thermometer.
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READ NOWFood Safety Information Council chair Rachelle Williams said the aim was to reduce the number of food poisoning cases in Australia, in particular the escalating rates of campylobacter and salmonella infection.
“Each year an estimated 4.1 million people get food poisoning in Australia, one million Australians have to visit a doctor with food poisoning, 32,000 people end up in hospital and 86 people die,” she said.
“Educating people to purchase a food thermometer for their home kitchen and to learn how to use it correctly to cook food safely will contribute to a reduction in food poisoning.”
An online quiz testing food safety knowledge will be run by the City of Melville in conjunction with the campaign.
All participants taking part will be in with a chance to win prizes including meat thermometers and gift vouchers donated by local five star food safe businesses.
Melville Mayor Russell Aubrey said the 2017 campaign empowered the community to adopt safe food practices.
“Food poisoning cannot be ignored and steps need to be taken to prevent it,” he said.
To complete the food safety quiz visit www.melvillecity.com.au/foodsafety from Saturday.
For more information on Food Safety Week, visit www.foodsafety.asn.au.
-Scores on the Doors
– The City of Melville implemented the Scores on the Doors food safety scheme in 2014 to inform customers about the food safety standards and practices of local businesses, and provide the public with an opportunity to make safe, healthy choices when eating out. – 65 per cent of Melville businesses are currently eligible to receive the top ratings of four or five stars.
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