Planning & Environment!Planning & Environment
FOOD SAFETY

Free Food Hygiene Leaflets

newsletter 2008

Using Leftovers Safely At Home
29th September 2008

This year at the Nantwich Food and Drink Festival our Environmental Health team were promoting using leftovers at home safely.  We handed out a leaflet explaining the difference between Best Before dates and Use By dates.  Click here to download the leaflet.  For further information and recipes to make the most of your leftovers....click here.


Student Food & Drink Survival Guide Now Available
19th September 2008

THE NEW FOOD & DRINK STUDENT SURVIVAL GUIDE is now available.  It has been produced by Crewe and Borough Council in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University Cheshire and the MMU Students Union.  The guide brings together useful information and advice provided by the NHS and Food Standards Agency to assist students in making informed choice about healthy eating and drinking responsibly.

Further details........

 

New Listeria Guidance From the Food Standards Agency
11th August 2008

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) have issued new guidance that details key control measures that can be taken to minimise the risk of developing an illness from listeria (listeriosis). The guidance has particular relevance to those preparing and supplying chilled ready-to-eat foods for vulnerable groups.

Listeria might be present in chilled ready-to-eat foods at low levels. However, poor refrigeration and failure to follow shelf-life labeling can result in the bacteria multiplying to unsafe levels.

The Agency's guidance details some of the key steps to minimise the risks. These include keeping these foods properly refrigerated and following ‘use by’ instructions on the label.

See the guidance...
Visit the FSA website..

 

Scientists Re-open Debate Over GM Food
The Sunday Times 6th July 2008

Scientists have re-opened the debate about GM Foods by producing genetically engineered fruit and vegetables capable of providing most of a day’s nutrients in a single meal according to the Sunday Times .

Heading towards the market is a type of potato with 33% more protein content which will be known as a protato.  Also in the pipeline are modified tomatoes that could be capable of protecting against cancer and peanuts without the chemicals that cause deadly nut allergies.

Genetically modified foods have caused much controversy in the UK since their introduction in 1996.  Unlike the first generation of GM foods which were designed to boost crop yields,  this  new generation will be offering nutritional benefits to consumers.

The debate about the benefits and risks of genetically modified foods is certain to continue.

See the Timesonline for the full story...

using leftovers safely

survival guide

 

 

listeria fridge

 

 

 

 

 

 

potatoes

 
 

Ski club bar staff served tequila with caustic soda after mistaking it for salt  - The Times, 8 March 2008

Seven British holidaymakers are seeking compensation after being given caustic soda instead of salt to accompany their après-ski drinks at a club in the Swiss ski resort of Verbier.

The waiter is believed to have mistaken the chemical for salt after it was left on the bar by cleaning staff.

Prosecutors conducted an inspection and ordered the club to be closed after establishing that hygiene regulations were violated on several accounts. The club was closed on February 27 and allowed to reopen the following Wednesday.

See the Timesonline for the full story...

 cocktail
   

Concerns Over Caffeine Consumption During Pregnancy
25 January 2008
 
A recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that drinking more than 200mg of caffeine a day doubled the risk of miscarriage in early preganacy compared to those who drank no caffeine.  Dr De-Kun Li who led the study advised women to consider not consuming caffeine or at least limiting their intake to less than 200mg during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
 
The advice in the UK from the Food Standards Agency is to limit caffeine to 300mg a day.
As a guide, each of these contains roughly 300mg of caffeine:
  • 3 mugs of instant coffee (100mg each)
  • 4 cups of instant coffee (75mg each)
  • 3 cups of brewed coffee (100mg each)
  • 6 cups of tea (50mg each)
  • 8 cans of cola (up to 40mg each)
  • 4 cans of 'energy' drink (up to 80mg each)
  • 8 (50g) bars of plain chocolate (up to 50mg each). Caffeine in milk chocolate is about half that of plain chocolate
The Food Standards Agency is currently reviewing its advice.