Toronto Public Health shares food safety tips for summer

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:

==========================================

News Release:  July 30, 2014

Toronto Public Health shares food safety tips for summer

As Toronto residents enjoy the warmer weather with backyard barbecues and picnics, Toronto Public Health is reminding families to think about food safety. Following a few basic rules can go a long way in preventing a food-borne illness this summer. Simply clean, separate, cook and chill.

"Summer is a time when family and friends get together for barbecues and picnics, so it's important that people are aware of safety issues when handling, preparing and storing food," said Dr. David McKeown, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health. "Knowing how to properly handle poultry, meat, and other foods that can pose health risks can help families avoid illness."

People should also use good food-safety practices when preparing, transporting and serving food, as well as when handling fresh fruits and vegetables.

More information and several helpful fact sheets about food safety are available at http://bit.ly/1sZf3tU.

The website and fact sheets include tips on:

- how to properly wash your hands, utensils, food contact surfaces and foods

- how to avoid cross contamination of food

- how to cook poultry and ground meats, and

- how to store food when travelling or on a picnic.

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bit.ly/1nIYS0N

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

- 30 -

Media contact: Kris Scheuer, Toronto Public Health, 416-338-8020, 416-677-6658 (cell), kscheue@toronto.ca