The Canadian Food Inspection Agency reminds Canadians to take a few simple steps to keep healthy
June 29, 2015 - Ottawa, ON - Office of the Minister of Health
With the return of barbecue season and Canada Day at our doorstep, don't forget about food safety. Safe food handling practices are even more important when it's hot outside to prevent harmful bacteria from spreading and causing foodborne illness such as E. coli.
Canadians can lower their risk of food poisoning by following these four steps:
- Clean: Wash your hands and anything else that comes in contact with food.
- Separate: Keep raw foods, such as meats, poultry, fish, shellfish and eggs, away from cooked and ready-to-eat foods.
- Cook: Cook foods to the right internal temperature using a digital food thermometer.
- Chill: Place perishable foods and leftovers in the fridge or freezer right away.
Food safety is a shared responsibility – while industry is responsible for producing safe food, and the government oversees the food supply chain, consumers must practice safe food handling.
Under the Healthy and Safe Food for Canadians Framework, the Government has committed to strengthening Canada's already stringent food safety requirements to continue to reduce food safety risks and protect Canadians from unsafe products.
Michael Bolkenius
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Health
613-957-0200
Media Relations
Health Canada
613-957-2983
Media Relations
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
613-773-6600
