HORSHAM District Community Partnership Team and the District's Senior Persons' Council have joined forces during Food Safety Week to promote the need for correct storage and food handling at home.
The focus for Food Safety Week 2009, which took place between 15–21 June, was primarily on people over 60.
The reason for focusing on this age group was the recent sharp rise in cases of listeria in over 60s. The number of cases in this age group has doubled since 2001 and it causes more deaths each year than salmonella and E. coli O157 combined.
During Food Safety Week, the Horsham District Community Partnership Team and the Horsham District Senior Persons' Council held a road show with a series of stands outside different supermarkets across the Horsham District. Free fridge thermometers were handed out as well as information about eating healthy and how to look after food safely.
The Community Partnership Team provides advice and actively actions a range of measures to assist older people. The Team includes a health advisor, a social worker, advisers from the Pension Service and support workers from Horsham Citizens Advice Bureau.
Established in 2006, the Senior Persons' Council aims to give older people in Horsham District the opportunity to present their views to Horsham District Council on local issues and to start up their own initiatives.
For more information about the Senior Persons Council please contact Horsham District Council on 01403 215137 or email community.development@horsham.gov.uk
For more information about eating well or keeping food safe, visit www.eatwell.gov.uk
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