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By Food Safety Select 

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently released a report called Climate change: Unpacking the burden on food safety. The report provides insight into the complex and interlinked issues facing global food production and safety due to climate change.

The FAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations tasked with leading international efforts to combat hunger. While the dangers posed by climate change to global food chains and security are well established and understood, the risks posed to food safety are considerably more complex. The FAO report clarifies and examines the extent to which a warmer climate and a rise in extreme, unpredictable weather will lead to an increase in food pathogens.

The document begins by pointing out that foodborne diseases are already a significant health issue internationally. It then notes that the situation is considerably worse in developing countries, where the extent of food contamination is frequently unreported. To better understand the data relating to global food diseases, the FAO report looked at findings by the Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group (FERG), established by the WHO. 

Thirty-one known hazards were identified by FERG and caused an estimated 420,000 deaths in 2010. The number of pathogens transmitted by food is expanding, making it harder than ever to judge the full extent of the problem. 

Worryingly, the report found considerable evidence proving that foodborne pathogens are increasing due to climate change.

How are food and waterborne diseases affected?

The FAO report takes a broad view of the problems faced and looks at various issues across ecologies and countries. It notes well-established and documented evidence linking seasons and higher temperatures with disease. For example, studies in Australia, the Pacific Islands, and Israel have shown increased summer temperatures correlate with foodborne diarrhoeal reports. 

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By Food Safety Select 

In any food business, it is essential that hands are washed thoroughly and regularly to minimise the risk of foodborne pathogens. The Covid-19 pandemic brought handwashing and hygiene to the fore, but for professionals in the food industry, proper handwashing facilities have always been essential. Washing hands thoroughly physically removes food waste, harmful bacteria, viruses, grease, dirt, and more.

Washing hands is also a legal requirement for those who handle food, and the Food Standards Code requires food businesses to have handwashing sinks close to where food is handled. There must also be separate handwashing facilities in every area where exposed food is prepared or touched. This means that in premises with multiple food handling areas, such as supermarkets, there need to be appropriate sinks for each section. Additionally, if there are toilets on the premises, there needs to be a hand basin adjacent.

Hygiene is crucial, and food businesses need to be aware of the legal requirements. But what else is required when buying a hand basin specifically for a commercial kitchen?...

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By Food Safety Select 

Although well accustomed to maintaining a high standard of cleanliness, COVID-19 has hit the food industry hard. Not only do food businesses need to pay more attention to the hygiene of staff, they need to ensure customers are doing the right thing also.

Hand hygiene, in particular, is a huge focus of food establishments. Whether it be restaurants, pubs, cafés, or food manufacturers, installing highly visible sanitiser stations is one way to encourage everyone to do the right thing. But how do you go about choosing the safest and effective station?

Here are three things that you should consider when choosing a hand sanitiser station for your business.

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In this week's edition of the Food Safety Select Member Spotlight Series, we ask Managing Director, Anita Patturajan, all about Anitech Pty Ltd, otherwise known as Anitech.  Anitech is a business management systems consultancy that has been providing business management system services in Australia and New Zealand, across a range of industries, including occupational hygiene, business management systems, technology services, and food quality and safety management services, for more than 18 years. 

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News From Our Members

Our EOFY Sale is now on! Maximise your training budget and start the next financial year off right with training for you and your team. Save a huge 30% on all courses and training using the promo code EOFY30 at checkout. Get in quick, our EOFY Sales ends June 30. Book now!

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