11/06/2007

Picnic leaflet advises on food safety

A new report by the Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland (FSANI) has revealed that an alarming number of people do not know how to check that meat is properly cooked.

The survey, conducted in the run up to this year's National Food Safety Week, which starts today, showed that an astonishing 40% of people in the Belfast City Council area put themselves at risk of food poisoning when eating outdoors.

More than 600 people across Northern Ireland were questioned about their outdoor food safety habits.

It also revealed many people do not know how to check that meat is properly cooked and more than a quarter of those questioned thought that meat products were thoroughly cooked if they looked, smelled or tasted OK.

A third of those questioned also relied on their senses when deciding whether cooked meats or poultry left over from their trip were safe to consume and it was revealed many did not know the basic rules about storing food - for example, raw and cooked foods should be kept separate.

To help reduce the risks, a special leaflet has been produced, containing food safety tips for eating outdoors. 'Picnic' which also includes a guide to picnic destinations in Northern Ireland.

Free copies of the leaflet are available from Belfast City Council offices, community and leisure centres as well as the Advice Centre in Wellington and the Belfast Welcome Centre in Donegall Place.

(JM/SP)

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