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Food Focus June 2009

New Foodsafe Partnership strategy

For the first time, the Foodsafe Partnership is using a targeted approach to try to improve food safety practices in the home. The approach tries to influence behaviour for a social good. The new strategy is based on the New Zealand skin cancer control strategy, which is an internationally recognised model with a proven track record of success in getting people to reduce their risk of skin cancer.

“The Foodsafe Partnership has adopted this approach because it focuses on positive behaviour change which we hope will translate into better food safety practices in the home,” says New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) communications manager Gary Bowering.

Food safety messages are being targeted at different consumer groups according to the setting in which they operate such as at home, at school, at work, or at play. It has been estimated that 40% of all foodborne illness in New Zealand is caused by inadequate food handling practices in the home.

“This is an area that cannot be regulated and relies on public information to change behaviour,” Gary says.

The Foodsafe Partnership working group compromises Consumer NZ, Environmental Science Research, regional public health boards, the poultry industry and NZFSA. The partnership is developing a strategic direction and priorities to 2012.

The Foodsafe Partnership’s goal for this year is to reduce the percentage of New Zealanders who get a foodborne illness. Its three main objectives are to:

• increase the proportion of consumers who are aware and understand the causes and consequences of foodborne illness

• increase the proportion of consumers who use good food safety practices, and

• increase stakeholder support and participation in Foodsafe Partnership activities.

The partnership’s strategies to achieve these objectives include:

• educational campaigns aimed at food preparers

• identifying key areas associated with recreation to promote food safety

• incorporating food safety messages into existing education resources and networks

• engagement at a national and local level to increase stakeholder support

• using current stakeholders to increase message reach and frequency.

“The Foodsafe Partnership strategic plan has clearly defined goals and objectives, and is well supported by everyone involved,” Gary says.

The New Zealand Foodsafe Partnership was established in 1998 to promote consistent and appropriate food safety messages to New Zealand consumers.

The partnership is open to anyone interested in promoting food safety message. It comprises representatives of the food industry including food and service organisations, consumer groups, science organisations, public health groups and NZFSA.

National Foodsafe campaigns have been running for the last five years with increased emphasis during the summer months and a particular focus on a national Foodsafe week in November.

Visit the Foodsafe Partnership website for more information.

FBI case files coming to your school

There has been an overwhelmingly positive response from primary and intermediate schools in New Zealand to book the new ‘FBI Case File’ resource. It has already been successfully used this year in a number of schools to teach students about the importance of food safety in the home.

The mobile pull-up stands replicate a ‘crime scene’ and can be set up in a classroom or library so students can solve the food safety crimes with the help of clues in the ‘FBI Case File’ booklet.

The clues revolve around hand hygiene and the 4Cs of food safety (clean, cook, cover, chill).

This is a free resource and can be booked on a two week rotational basis by contacting amy.baldacchino@nzfsa.govt.nz or phone 04 894 2526.