What is food supply contamination?
In the UK, food safety is monitored by the Foods Standards Agency (FSA), and whilst most food within the UK is safe, there is the risk of contaminated food products. Food can be contaminated with pathogens such as Norovirus, Salmonella, Listeria or Escherichia Coli (E.coli) and can represents a significant threat to public health. These pathogens can get into the food through cross-contamination, poor hygiene, or not storing the food safely. The FSA estimate that food borne pathogens are responsible for 2.4 million cases of disease in the UK each year, at a cost of £9.1 billion. It is therefore important to understand this risk so that we can prepare and keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. For more information of food safety visit the Food Standards Agency website using the button below:
Local risk rating: High
What does the Local Resilience Forum do to prepare?
In the event of a food supply contamination, the agencies working within the Local Resilience Forum will be implementing a series of response arrangements and humanitarian assistance plans. These plans aim to support households, businesses and communities to manage the impacts of incidents.
How can you prepare?
Before
Sign up to food alerts
Have a stock of non-perishable foods (tins etc.).
Ensure you prepare and cook meals in a clean environment
Maintain good hygiene when preparing and storing food
Separate raw and cooked foods
Cook food thoroughly
Store food in appropriate containers
During
Stay informed and follow guidance
