Meetings aim to address food safety concerns

FOOD safety worries about raw chicken, raw pork and processed meats top consumers’ list of concerns, new research shows.

Over 40% of people are worried about raw chicken, 23% about raw pork and 24% were concerned about processed meat, including sausages and burgers.

People are also becoming increasingly concerned about hygiene practices in takeaways, restaurants and cafes.

In response to these and other food concerns, the Food Safety Promotion Board has organised public meetings to provide consumers with a forum for discussion on food safety issues.

Safefood chief executive Martin Higgins said a lot of time and effort had gone into planning and preparing for the public meetings.

“The fact that there has been a recent outbreak of listeria and E.coli reinforces the need to provide consumers with a forum for discussion on these and other issues,” he said.

The meetings will take place later this month and throughout October, from 9am to 5.30pm at supermarkets and from 6.30pm in hotels.

Mr Higgins said food safety and healthy eating was everyone’s responsibility. “Whoever you are and whatever you do, you should understand how new legislation and improved practices are changing the way food is managed in the home, in production and in retail environments,” he urged.

People can register to attend one of the meetings by phoning 01-6636556 or emailing their name, address and selection of venue to [e-mail]. The list of venues and times is available on Safefood’s website at www.safefoodonline.com.