By Saskatchewan Prevention Institute

Food Safety – From Farm to Plate

Mar 28, 2015 | 10:02 AM

Food Safety: From Farm to Plate, Make Food Safe – World Health Day 2015

Over 200 diseases are caused by unsafe food. The main causes of food-borne illnesses are bacteria, viruses, parasites, and chemicals.

April 7 is World Health Day. This year’s theme is food safety. The World Health Organization is promoting the following tagline “from farm to plate, make it safe”. www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2015/en/

Pregnant women (and their unborn children) as well as children under the age of 5 are two groups at highest risk of food-borne illnesses. Children under the age of 5 do not have fully developed immune systems. They also produce less stomach acid than older children and adults. Stomach acid helps to break down bacteria. Food-borne illnesses in young children can also result in more serious health complications, including severe dehydration.

Pregnant women are at increased risk of food-borne illnesses due to a lowered immune system. Certain bacteria, viruses, and parasites can cross the placenta, putting the developing baby at an increased risk of being infected. This can have serious consequences. Pregnant women who contract a food-borne illness in the first three months of pregnancy are at risk for a miscarriage. When food-borne illnesses are contracted late in pregnancy, there is an increased risk of having a premature delivery or a stillbirth. There is also a risk that the baby will be born with a serious illness.

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Most people practice some food safety strategies. However, many are not aware of some of the basic strategies that can be employed to increase food safety. The World Health Organization recommends 5 steps to increase the safety of food. These include:

Keeping clean (washing hands and surfaces before preparing food)
Separating raw and cooked food
Cooking food thoroughly
Keeping foods at safe temperatures (hot or cold)
Using safe water in food preparation and ensuring that you are using safe food

Safety tips for parents of children under the age of 5 and pregnant women can be found at http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/eating-nutrition/safety-salubrite/index-eng.php

For more information, please contact 306-651-4300.

by Saskatchewan Prevention Institute

Food Safety – From Farm to Plate

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