ONE IN FOUR IN THE LISBURN AREA RISK HEALTH WHEN FOOD SHOPPINGNew research for National Food Safety Week 2008A survey carried out by Lisburn City Council’s Environmental Health Service in conjunction with the Food Standards Agency NI and safefood to mark National Food Safety Week (9-13 June) revealed that almost one in four (23%) people in the Lisburn area risk food poisoning when doing their grocery shopping. The Environmental Health Service, FSANI and safefood 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 results highlighted that a quarter of shoppers in the Lisburn 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 almost half (47%) of shoppers in the Lisburn 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. Alderman Paul Porter, Chairman of the Council’s Environmental Services Committee 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, 93% of people in the Lisburn City Council area immediately unpack and put away chilled and frozen foods.” 
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. “The survey indicates that only 20% of shoppers in the Lisburn 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.” FSANI and safefood in support of National Food Safety Week have produced reusable shopping bags that highlight the key food safety messages. The bags were given out at SuperValu, Knockmore Road, Lisburn on Friday 13th June and members of the public were able to enter a competition to win up to £250 cash, sponsored by Musgrave Group. A guidance leaflet has been produced on Food Safety Tips for Outdoor Eating. For further information on food safety contact Lisburn City Council’s Environmental Health Service on Tel:028 9250 9250, email: ehealth@lisburn.gov.uk. You can also contact the safefood helpline on Tel:0800 085 1683 |
