Safe Food Handling for Adults 60+

Transcript - Safe Food Handling for Adults 60+

Older adult grocery shopping.

Narrator - "Its grocery shopping day for Donna Mae Meilke. But there's no need for a list- she's got this task down to a science."

Donna Mae Meilke - "I usually get the fresh produce first and umm and pastries or cakes whatever next and always the meat or eggs, things like that last."

Older adult picking up package of raw meat from the grocery store refrigerator and placing it inside a plastic bag.

Narrator - "Often when Donna May goes shopping she's reminded of the listeriosis crisis during the summer of 2008 that claimed 23 lives. The average age of those victims: 76."

Older adult picking apples from grocery store shelf. Checking the expiry date on a loaf of bread package.

Dr. Jeff Farber - Director, Bureau of Microbial Hazards - Health Canada
"Listeria for the most part only affects high risk individuals because it takes advantage of the fact that these individuals have a lower immune system. If those cells encounter an individual who's immune system is weakened, they can take advantage of this, and they get, they can actually pass through the stomach into the intestine and what happens is they actually cross the intestinal wall and migrate and make their way to the liver and spleen where they can actually multiply in these organs and then invade the rest of the body."

Narrator - " Some foods are at a higher risk for food borne illness than others and should be avoided. Such as non-dried deli meats like bologna, roast beef and turkey breast. Hot dogs straight out of the package. Any product containing raw eggs like salad dressing, cookie dough and cake batter. Soft cheeses such as brie, camembert and blue-veined cheeses containing raw or unpasteurized dairy products."

Grocery shoppers pushing carts through the isles.
Shopper placing raw meats in separate containers into the refrigerator.

Woman sanitizing cooking surface before preparing food.
Sound: Sound of spray bottle.

Woman washing untensil after it has been used.
Sound: Running water in kitchen sink.

Narrator - " Here are some more tips on how to keep your food safe from contamination When storing food in the fridge keep raw meat, poultry and seafood separate from other food by storing them in separate containers. Place these products on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator so raw juices don't drip onto other food. When handling food, make sure the surface you prepare food on is sanitized. You can use a mixture of water and bleach in a spray bottle to clean the area where you will be handling food. If you've used dishes and utensils to handle raw food, don't use them again until you've washed them thoroughly in warm soapy water. Or use clean dishes and utensils."

Narrator - "For more information on Food Safety for Older Adults, visit"

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