Press Release

Derry City Council launches National Food Safety Week with an important message

Tuesday 10th June 2008

In association with Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland and safefood, Derry City Council want to communicate two simple messages to shoppers during this year's National Food Safety Week. Firstly, pack raw foods separately and, secondly, try to get home as soon as possible after food shopping to get chilled and frozen foods back into the fridge or freezer.

The message is in response to a survey released today by the Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland (FSANI) and safefood to mark National Food Safety Week (9 June - 13 June 2008) which, revealed that one in five (19%) people in the Derry City Council area risk food poisoning when doing their grocery shopping.

The results highlighted that a fifth of shoppers in the Derry City Council area do not always pack raw foods, such as raw meat, poultry and fish, separately from ready-to-eat foods. Raw foods could contain germs, which could spread if packed with ready to eat foods, such as bakery products, increasing the risk of food poisoning.

The survey gathered results from over 800 people across all 26 council areas in Northern Ireland. It found that a fifth (19%) of shoppers in the Derry City Council area do not plan their shopping trips to allow them to get chilled and frozen food into the fridge or freezer as quickly as possible. This is important, as it will prevent these foods from warming up or thawing which helps to control the growth of any germs.

Environmental Health Officer at Derry City Council, Paul Rafferty said that these two simple messages would definitely reduce the risks of food poisoning if adhered to. He continued

" It's easy to underestimate the length of time our groceries can be left in the car but it's vital that people try to get them home quickly, especially during the warm weather. People also tend to underestimate the importance of keeping raw foods separate from other groceries but hopefully this campaign will remind them of the significance."

Dr David McCleery, safefood, said: "Whether you are doing a small top-up shop or a regular weekly or monthly shop, it's important to get your food home as soon as is practical to keep it safe. Try to plan your shopping day so that you're browsing shops or meeting friends first and doing your food shopping last."

"Our survey indicates that only 23% of shoppers in the Derry City Council area use coolbags to store their groceries during their journey home. The use of coolbags is something that we strongly recommend as it is an excellent way to keep your groceries cold during transport, particularly in warm weather or if you have a long journey home".

Michael Jackson, FSANI, said: "National Food Safety Week gives us the perfect opportunity to remind shoppers of the two simple rules when food shopping - pack raw foods separately and when buying chilled and frozen foods, take them home directly.

"Our survey showed that we have lots to learn about food safety when grocery shopping, but on a more positive note, we discovered that once shoppers have returned home, 100% of people in the Derry City Council area immediately unpack and put away chilled and frozen foods."

Environmental Health Officers from Derry City Council will be on hand to give out free reusable shopping bags, produced by FSANI and safefood in support of National Food Safety Week, at the Supervalu supermarket in the Northside Shopping Centre on Thursday 12th June. The bags highlight the key food safety messages and the officers will also be available to answer any concerns shoppers may have.

Derry City Council is one of 26 councils across Northern Ireland who are working in partnership with the National Food Safety Week campaign in Northern Ireland, which, is co-funded by FSANI and safefood.

Anyone requiring further information about National Food Safety Week should contact the safefood helpline on 0800 085 1683.

Ends

For further information contact Marketing and Communications, Derry City Council. Telephone 028 7137 6504

Notes to editors:

Over 800 people at 26 locations across Northern Ireland took part in the National Food Safety Week survey.

For further information please contact Kathy Doyle at Smarts PR on 028 90395509 or at kathy.doyle@smarts.co.uk

For additional information contact:

Press Office

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