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Advice on how to reduce the risk of foodborne diseases is contained in a new bilingual government leaflet.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) data, only a small number of errors in food handling are responsible for a large proportion of foodborne disease cases. To tackle the errors, the leaflet outlines the "Ten Golden Rules for Safe Food Preparation" adapted from guidelines issued by WHO.

The leaflet advised readers to choose foods which have been processed for safety. Food should be cooked thoroughly and consumed immediately after cooking.

Cooked foods should be stored carefully under either hot (above 63¢J) or cool (below 4¢J) conditions. Cooked foods should be reheated thoroughly to protect against microbes that may have developed during storage.

Readers are advised that they should avoid contact between raw and cooked foods. "For example, don't prepare a raw chicken and then use the same unwashed cutting board and knife to carve a cooked bird," the leaflet says.

"Wash hands thoroughly before you start preparing food and after every interruption - especially if you have been to the toilet."

The leaflet also advised readers to keep all kitchen surfaces meticulously clean and store foods in closed containers to avoid insects, rodents and other animals. Last but not all, it pointed out the importance of using safe water. If there are doubts about safety of the water supply, boil water before adding it to food or making ice for drinks, the leaflet advised.

The leaflet, produced by Government's Healthy Living into the 21st Century Campaign, is available from District Offices, estate offices of the Housing Department and clinics and health centres of the Department of Health.

The three-year Healthy Living into the 21st Century Campaign was launched in May 1998 with the aim to improve health and hygiene in the community, and to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Target areas for the three years are "A Clean City", "Clean and Safe Food" and "Sustain a Healthy Lifestyle" respectively.

The broad strategy is to instil in people a sense of "ownership" or responsibility through the messages of "A clean city starts with you" and "Good health starts with food hygiene" etc.

END/Thursday, December 30, 1999

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