Food Safety Tips for Outdoor Fun
Agriculture
June 7, 2010 10:34 AM
Nova Scotians are being reminded about the importance of safe food handling as the summer picnic and barbecue season approaches.
To help prevent food-borne illness during the summer, the Department of Agriculture's food safety division is stressing some basic rules: clean, separate, cook and chill.
"Food is often the focus of activities, particularly in the summer when we enjoy the company of family and friends at outdoor barbecues and picnics," said Mike Horwich, director of food protection. "It is important that people know how to store, handle and prepare food so that these summer activities are enjoyable. Remembering to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold, and when in doubt, throw it out, will help prevent food-borne illness."
Food safety experts with the department are reminding Nova Scotians to follow good food safety practices when preparing, transporting and serving food, or handling fresh fruits and vegetables.
The Department of Agriculture has fact sheets about food safety on its website at www.gov.ns.ca/agri/foodsafety/factsht .
They include key tips on:
-- washing hands, utensils and foods
-- proper thawing of meats
-- cooking poultry and ground meats thoroughly
-- avoiding cross contamination of foods
-- travelling with food, keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold
One of the best ways to stay healthy is to take preventative action, including washing hands thoroughly and often.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Food safety experts with the Department of Agriculture are
reminding Nova Scotians to use good food safety practices when
preparing, transporting and serving foods at barbecues and
picnics this summer.
Mike Horwich, director of food protection, says it is
important to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold and when in
doubt, throw it out.
For more information on food safety, read the fact sheets on
the department website.
-30-
Media Contact: Susan Mader Zinck
Department of Agriculture
902-424-8258
E-mail: madersd@gov.ns.ca
Nova Scotians are being reminded about the importance of safe food handling as the summer picnic and barbecue season approaches.
To help prevent food-borne illness during the summer, the Department of Agriculture's food safety division is stressing some basic rules: clean, separate, cook and chill.
"Food is often the focus of activities, particularly in the summer when we enjoy the company of family and friends at outdoor barbecues and picnics," said Mike Horwich, director of food protection. "It is important that people know how to store, handle and prepare food so that these summer activities are enjoyable. Remembering to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold, and when in doubt, throw it out, will help prevent food-borne illness."
Food safety experts with the department are reminding Nova Scotians to follow good food safety practices when preparing, transporting and serving food, or handling fresh fruits and vegetables.
The Department of Agriculture has fact sheets about food safety on its website at www.gov.ns.ca/agri/foodsafety/factsht .
They include key tips on:
-- washing hands, utensils and foods
-- proper thawing of meats
-- cooking poultry and ground meats thoroughly
-- avoiding cross contamination of foods
-- travelling with food, keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold
One of the best ways to stay healthy is to take preventative action, including washing hands thoroughly and often.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Food safety experts with the Department of Agriculture are
reminding Nova Scotians to use good food safety practices when
preparing, transporting and serving foods at barbecues and
picnics this summer.
Mike Horwich, director of food protection, says it is
important to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold and when in
doubt, throw it out.
For more information on food safety, read the fact sheets on
the department website.
-30-
Media Contact: Susan Mader Zinck
Department of Agriculture
902-424-8258
E-mail: madersd@gov.ns.ca