Make sure your food is safe

The spotlight is on the UK’s most common cause of food poisoning for this year’s Food Safety Week.

As many as a quarter of a million people could be struck down by Campylobacter this year – at worst, it can be fatal.

This year’s Food Safety Week runs from June 16 to 22.

Campylobacter is the most common cause of food poisoning in the UK. You can’t see it, smell it or even taste it on food, but if it affects you, you won’t forget it. At its worst, it can kill you.

The FSA is spearheading a campaign to bring together the whole food chain to tackle the problem. Farmers and producers will be asked to work harder to reduce the amount of bacteria on their raw poultry. Consumers will be able see the latest data and be the judges of any progress, or lack of progress, that they make.

Local authorities, all the major supermarkets and key partners will be working together to make sure people know how to stay safe. Advice is available at www.food.gov.uk/chicken.

Cllr Jim Smith, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Executive Member for Environment, said:

“It’s important that we do our part to make sure that people know to handle and cook food safely for themselves and for their families. We’re proud to be keeping people in Blackburn with Darwen safe and well by being part of this campaign to spread the word – and not the germs.”

Bob Martin, Head of Foodborne Disease Strategy at the Food Standards Agency said:

“This is a serious problem and we are calling on the whole industry to do act together to tackle Campylobacter. People in Blackburn with Darwen can do their part by handling and preparing chicken with extra care – don’t wash raw chicken, cook it properly and enjoy it safely.”