Summer food safety

Wednesday July 29, 2009

H&F Council is calling on residents to stay safe with food this summer.

The warm weather can help bacteria to grow and multiply, and this can lead to food poisoning and illnesses. Pregnant women, the elderly and young children are particularly susceptible but carrying out simple things like washing your hands before and after preparing food or going to the toilet can cut the risk of getting ill.

So can making sure your fridge is operating at 5C or below, and that your freezer is at -18 C or below. Other tips include making sure food is thoroughly cooked, that you store raw meat and fish at the bottom of the fridge and do not allow pets on kitchen work surfaces.

You can win a £50 Marks & Spencer voucher by answering the following question correctly – ‘At what temperature should your fridge operate?’

You can email your answer, along with your name, address and telephone number, to foodsafetyteam@lbhf.gov.uk or write the answer on the back of a postcard, along with your name, address and telephone number, and send it to:

Stephanie Needham
Food Safety Team
London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
5th floor
Town Hall Extension
King Street
London W6 9JU

Closing date for entries is August 15 2009.