FSA Target Food Safety of Older People

The number of cases of listeria food poisoning rose by 20% in 2007 and has doubled since 2000. This increase has occurred predominantly among people over 60.

15/06/09 People over the age of 60 are more likely than younger people to take risks with 'use by' dates, according to new research findings published by the Food Standards Agency.

Eating food beyond its 'use by' date increases the risk of food poisoning from listeria. A recent sharp rise in the number of people taken ill with listeria has seen more older people affected by what can be a deadly food bug.

The number of cases of listeria food poisoning rose by 20% in 2007 and has doubled since 2000. This increase has occurred predominantly among people over 60. The research published shows that less than half of this age group recognise ‘use by’ dates as an important indicator of whether food is safe or not, and so could be putting themselves at risk of serious illness.

The research findings include the following:
• Less than half (42%) of older people questioned in the survey correctly identified the 'use by' date as an important indicator of whether a food is safe – much lower than people in younger age group
• Of particular concern was that older respondents were more likely to eat food past its 'use by' date. For example, 40% would eat dairy products up to three days past their 'use by' date – listeria has been reported from dairy products as well as from a wide range of other chilled ready-to-eat foods
• Less than half (39%) of people aged over 65 checked their fridge temperature at least every six months – setting the right fridge temperature (between 0°C and 5°C) is important for controlling listeria growth in food.

Other research commissioned by the FSA into the attitudes of the over 60s towards food safety, showed that people were reluctant to throw away food and were often confused by fridge temperatures.

As Food Safety Week starts (15 June 2009), the FSA is tackling the rise in listeria food poisoning among older people by launching a new campaign to warn about the dangers of listeria and the simple steps that can be taken to avoid it.

The Agency will work with GP surgeries, pharmacies and a range of community groups across the UK, specifically in areas with large populations of older people. The campaign will be spearheaded by a poster and leaflet campaign. Food safety information will also be targeted directly at older people through messages and advice printed on millions of paper bags used for dispensing prescriptions.

Dr Andrew Wadge, Chief Scientist at the FSA, said: 'The rise in listeria food poisoning among older people is worrying. Listeria can make people very ill, and 95% of cases end up needing treatment in hospital.

'There are some really simple steps people can take to prevent getting ill in the first place: be aware that 'use by' dates indicate how long food will remain safe, and then make sure you stick to them; always follow the storage instructions on the label; and make sure your fridge is cold enough – between 0°C and 5°C is ideal.

'These are the three messages that our new campaign is focusing on and Food Safety Week is a good time to be raising awareness of them. Cases of food poisoning double in frequency during the summer months, but it is very easy to avoid becoming one of those who fall ill by sticking to these simple steps.’

The FSA has carried out surveys to determine the prevalence of listeria in foods that have been linked to the bug, such as smoked fish and sliced meats. It is also commissioning research to understand what makes the over 60s more likely to become ill from listeria.