Food Safety Week partners 2009

Monday 15 June 2009

A wide range of organisations have been working together for Food Safety Week by organising local activities and promoting food safety.

More than 600 local authorities, schools and other organisations have signed up and are running events during Food Safety Week, which this year is focusing on reducing the growing number of cases of listeria food poisoning especially among older people.

The Agency has been working closely with a variety of partner organisations to disseminate food safety messages and organise activities. The organisations involved include:

Age Concern and Help the Aged
British Retail Consortium
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
Food and Drink Federation
LACORS (the Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services)
National Federation of Women's Institutes
Waste & Resources Action Programme

The Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), the independent body established to advance the science of 'food science and technology' for the benefit, safety and health of the public, has produced a new statement on listeriosis in relation to vulnerable groups for this year’s Food Safety Week. The statement is available at one of the links below.

Statements of support

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director for Age Concern and Help the Aged: 'When we get a bit older, our bodies become less resilient to bugs and infection. This is why it's so important for older people to take food safety seriously and why the charity is backing the Food Standards Agency campaign. Luckily, the things you need to do to stay safe are simple, follow the storage instructions, look at the 'use by' date and make sure your fridge is working between 0ºC and 5ºC.'

Andrew Parry, Programme Manager Household Food Waste Prevention, Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP): 'Food Safety Week will help to raise awareness of the importance of correct fridge temperatures, understanding and adhering to 'use by' dates and following on-pack storage guidance. All of this will, in addition to reducing food safety risks, help consumers to manage their food better, reduce the amount they throw away and save money. WRAP fully supports the aims of Food Safety Week, and looks forward to continuing the positive collaboration it now has with the Food Standards Agency.'

Fiona Collie, Policy and Parliamentary Affairs Manager, Carers Scotland: ‘We are delighted to support this year's Food Safety Week: 600,000 unpaid carers throughout Scotland look after the health and well-being of frail older people including family, partners and friends. We therefore welcome Food Safety Week's aim to provide information for carers to help raise awareness and reduce the incidence of listeria among the over 60s.’

Ruth Marks, Older People's Commissioner for Wales: 'As Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, I support any real solutions that older people can use to help them stay in good health and avoid the risk of getting ill. This nationwide campaign will hopefully bring the risks of infections such as listeria to the fore, and will help to provide tips that older people can follow to protect themselves against infections in their everyday lives.'

David Manion, Chief Executive of Age Concern and Help the Aged in Scotland: 'We are pleased to support the FSA’s Food Safety Week campaign this year, and particularly welcome the focus on reaching older people with these important messages about how to stay safe and healthy.'