National campaign targets over 60s

(Date of issue: Monday, 15 June 2009)

Elderly residents will be warned of the dangers of poor hygiene as part of National Food Safety Week ((Monday 15 – Sunday 21 June).

Carlisle City Council, a member of the Cumbria Food Liaison Group, is working with Carlisle & Eden Age Concern to get food safety messages across to some of the area’s most vulnerable residents. Hundreds of leaflets will be distributed via community groups and associations.

Following the recent rise in cases of Listeria within elderly people, the focus of this year’s UK-wide campaign is aimed at over 60s with advice being given on the need for proper storage and handling of food in the home.

The number of cases of listeria food poisoning rose by 20% in 2007 and has doubled since 2000, this increase has occurred predominantly amongst people over 60. Food Standard Agency research shows less than half of this age group recognise ‘use by’ dates as an important indicator of whether food is safe or not, and so could be putting themselves at risk of serious illness. The research findings include the following:

• Less than half (42%) of older people questioned in the survey correctly identified the ‘use by’ date as an important indicator of whether a food is safe – much lower than people in younger age groups[1]
• Of particular concern was that older respondents were more likely to eat food past its ‘use by’ date. For example 40% would eat dairy products up to three days past their ‘use by’ date – listeria has been reported from dairy products as well as a wide range of other chilled ready to eat foods[2]
• Less than half (39%) of people aged over 65 checked their fridge temperature at least every six months – setting the right fridge temperature (between 0 oC and 5oC) is important for controlling listeria growth in food.

Other research commissioned by the FSA into the over 60s’ attitudes towards food safety, showed that people were reluctant to throw away food and were often confused by fridge temperatures.

[1] 51% of 25-44 year olds and 53% of 45-64 correctly identified the use-by date

[2] Only a third of people (34%) aged 65+ would never eat dairy past its use by date, compared to over half of people aged 16-24 (56%) and 25-44 (54%) and two fifths (40%) of those aged 45-64.

Listeria (Listeria monocytogenes) can cause illness in certain groups of vulnerable people, such as pregnant women and people with weakened immunity, particularly those over 60.

It can be found in a wide range of chilled ready-to-eat foods, including sandwiches, butter, cooked sliced meats, smoked salmon, certain soft cheeses and pâté.

Vulnerable people should avoid eating soft cheeses (such as Camembert, Brie, or others that have a similar rind, and soft blue cheeses) and all types of pâtés, including vegetable.