Your role in food safety

Consumers depend on farmers, governments and industry to make sure the food they buy is safe.

In the home, consumers play an important role in making sure the food they prepare and serve is safe.

If unsafe food gets into our grocery stores, it makes headlines. And rightly so. But unsafe food, which could lead to foodborne illness, can also happen from what we do - or don't do - in our own kitchens. Your kitchen could be a high-risk environment.

Bacteria are in our kitchens, in fact, bacteria can be found everywhere: in the air, soil, and water, as well as inside your body and on your skin. Some bacteria are helpful, and even necessary, but others are harmful.

We can take steps to prevent harmful bacteria from spreading in food and potentially causing foodborne illness.

One of the first steps you can take is to be informed. For example, did you know that it is NOT safe to "double dip" when you're taste-testing food that you’re preparing? Double-dipping spreads harmful organisms from your mouth to the food. Follow food safe practices by using a clean spoon each time you check your food.

Your best defence against foodborne illness is to read and follow food safety practices. Learn more and play it food safe.

The "Your role in food safety" section provides information on:

• Be informed
• Food labels
• Be food safe
• Foodborne illness: watch for symptoms

Next page: Be informed