Volume 21 Issue 24: June 23, 2011 - fp Turks and Caicos

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12 LIFESTYLE
June 23, 2011 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ www.fptci.com
Food safety is everyone’s business: Tips for you
By TCI Environmental Health Department
The Environmental Health Department is reminding the public
about the importance of food safety. Food safety is everyone’s business;
the health of the TCI rest on the health of the people. Help us
keep TCI healthy!
Persons are reminded to do the following when handling food:
▶ Wash hands before, during and after preparing foods
▶ Wash hands after smoking, taking out the garbage, and handling
chemicals Wash dishes properly before and after serving food
▶ Cook foods thoroughly
▶ Wash all fruits and vegetables with clean potable water
▶ Keep hot foods hot (from 60 degrees Celsius & above and cold
foods cold from 5 degrees Celsius & below)
▶ Hand sanitizers should only be used after hands have been thoroughly
washed and dried, they should not be used as substitute for
hand washing at any time or any place – no exceptions.
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Thaw all foods using one of the following methods:
▶ Under running water
▶ In refrigerator
▶ In a microwave
▶ As a part of the cooking process
▶ All foods should be cooled rapidly from 140-74 degrees Fahrenheit
within 2 hours then to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 4 hrs
All foods should be stored using the following methods:
▶ Six inches away from the wall and the floor of the facilities
▶ Away from pest and chemical
Signs/Symptoms of Food-borne Diseases are:
▶ Vomiting
▶ Diarrhea
▶ Fever
▶ Chills
▶ Headaches
▶ Fatigue/Weakness
▶ Neurological problems
If you experience any of these symptoms and suspect a foodborne
illness you should seek medical attention.
Be mindful of safe food handling, preparation and storage to prevent foodborne illness.
Did you know?
...that certain people have an increased risk for foodborne illness. These “at risk” people
▶ Pregnant women and newborns
▶ Older adults
▶ People with weakened immune systems and chronic illness including diabetes, kidney
disease, AIDS and some cancer patients.
...that nearly half of all cases of foodborne illness could be eliminated if people would
wash their hands more often when preparing and handling food.
...that nearly half of all cases of foodborne illness could be eliminated if people would
wash their hands more often when preparing and handling food.
source: American Dietetic Association