Australia is renowned for having one of the safest food supplies in the world yet the incidence of foodborne illness is higher than it might be. Illness caused by food can be a significant public health problem with major social and economic ramifications for Australia.
The food industry (farmers, transporters, packers, processors, manufacturers and retailers) is responsible for safeguarding the food supply through its adherence to government regulations; implementation of quality assurance programs; research and development; consultation with veterinarians, extension agents etc.; private testing; and education.
An important, yet overlooked, role in the chain of responsibility for food safety is that of the consumer. Following purchase food must be handled, stored and cooked safely.
The Campaign
The Food Safety Campaign is brought to you by the Australian meat industry through Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and the National Meat Association of Australia (NMAA).
The principal aim of the Food Safety Campaign is to raise awareness amongst the Australian public and food industry of the need for safe food handling practices such as:
-
Keep hot food steaming hot.
-
Cool hot food quickly in the fridge.
-
Cook food properly.
-
Keep cold food refrigerated.
-
Avoid cross contamination - keep raw food seperate from cooked food, keep working surfaces and utensils clean, and frequently wash and dry hands thoroughly.
A secondary aim of the strategy is to raise awareness amongst consumers of the particular food safety requirements of meat. Simply put, raw meat should be kept separate from other foods to avoid cross-contamination.
The Food Safety Campaign utilises a range of communications programs in order to get its message to the public including:
-
-
Brochures (Food safety in the home, Food safety in the outdoors and Food safety when buying food).
-
Toll free information line (Tel. 1800 647 284).
More information: info@safefood.net.au