"KEEP IT CLEAN"

AND TAKE THE FIRST STEP TO FOOD SAFETY 

(Your local health department) supports National Food Safety Education Month. 
 

"Keep it clean" is the theme of the National Food safety Education Month, which focuses attention on the importance of safe food handling and preparation.  Held annually in September, the event is sponsored by the International Food Safety Council, a restaurant and foodservice industry coalition dedicated to food safety education.

The ( your  ) County Health Department is participating in this program and is taking part in the month-long observance.  President Clinton's National Food Safety Initiative recognizes and encourages observance of National Food Safety Education Month.

According to recent consumer research, 52 percent of the public are more concerned about food safety today than they were a year ago.  "Americans are more concerned about food today than ever, and through National Food Safety Education Month, we hope to reinforce that the first and most important step to safe cuisine is to keep it clean," said Nora Pouillon, chef/owner of two restaurants in Washington D.C. and serves as national chairperson of the month-long observance.

According to (    Your name and title   ), "each time you handle and prepare food, make sure that your hands, kitchen surfaces and utensils are clean to prevent the spread of bacteria."

"Cleanliness and practicing proper cleaning procedures are top priorities we watch out for in all establishments during our routine inspections," said ( your name).

According to (your name), there are a few key procedures they watch out for to "keep it clean" in every kitchen: wash hands with warm water and soap before and after preparing food --- especially when handling raw meat, poultry and seafood.  Also, thoroughly clean all cooking utensils such as cutting boards and knives in between handling different foods.  "You should 'keep it clean' not only during National Food Safety Education Month, but every day of the year," (your name) adds.  The ( your county) county environmentalist does food safety inspections the year around to help see that this is the case here in (your local area) to help ensure that the restaurants are safe for you to enjoy.

According to (your name), "Keeping it clean" is just the first of four important steps to preparing food safely.  The four "key ingredients" to follow each day are:

. clean: wash hands and surfaces often;

. separate: don't cross-contaminate;

. cook: cook to proper temperatures; and

. chill: refrigerate promptly. 

For more information about proper food handling call your local environmental health specialist at (your phone number) and watch for more articles all month long.