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Over 60s at higher risk of food poisoning from eating foods after ‘use-by’ date

02 June 2009

New survey highlights confusion between ‘use by date’ and ‘best before’ dates

30% of over 60 year olds in North Down are putting their health at risk by not checking the ‘use by’ date on food labels according to a survey(1) released today (2 June 2009) by safefood and the Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland (FSANI). The survey launches the national Food Safety Week, which runs from 15 to 21 June 2009.

As the number of cases of Listeria has increased recently within this age group, the aim of this year’s national Food Safety Week is to remind people about good food hygiene and the correct methods for storing and handling food at home.

The survey also revealed that 43% of people reported eating perishable foods two days past their ‘use-by’ date, which can also lead to food poisoning. The ‘use-by’ date is the date that food can be used up to, provided it has been stored as described on the label. The ‘use-by’ date is not to be confused with the ‘best before’ date, which provides an indication of the quality of the food. It is okay to eat food after a ‘best before’ date but NEVER after a ‘use-by’ date.

Commenting on the survey results, Dr. David McCleery safefood said: “Older people are more susceptible to certain types of food poisoning than they would have been when they were younger. We would remind them to read and observe ‘use by’ dates on food labels and make sure their fridges are kept cool enough, 5°C or less. These simple but effective changes could make a big difference in reducing the risk of food poisoning”.

Kathryn Baker, Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland said: “National Food Safety Week gives us a great opportunity to highlight practical steps people can take in order to reduce the risk of illnesses such as Listeria. Listeria can be very serious and almost all people who get food poisoning from this bug end up in hospital. Over 60s are particularly at risk, the number of cases of Listeria in this age group has more than doubled in the UK since 2000, and so our campaign focuses on food hygiene advice for this particular group of people.”

The report also highlighted that 54% of those surveyed did not know the correct temperature for their fridge and of those who claimed they knew; 13% were incorrect. Keeping fridges at 5°C or less by using a fridge thermometer can also help with minimising the risk of food poisoning in the home.

A Bingo game called ‘Beat the Bingo Bug!’ has been developed for use with older people’s groups that get together socially and is a fun way of highlighting the importance of food hygiene. The game will be sent to these groups across Northern Ireland with the help of district councils and organisations such as Age Concern Help the Aged NI for playing during National Food Safety Week.

Working in partnership with the 26 councils, the National Food Safety Week campaign in Northern Ireland is co-funded by FSANI and safefood.

For more information about food safety or Food Safety Week please contact North Down Borough Council on (028) 9127 0371.

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