Australian Food Safety Week in Canning 2023

As part of Australian Food Safety Week, which will be held from 11 to 18 November 2023, the City of Canning is urging local consumers not to compromise their health by taking food safety short cuts.

‘This year’s theme is ‘Food safety – dollars and sense’ and warns about how to manage the increased cost of living without compromising food safety.

‘There are an estimated 4.67 million cases of food poisoning in Australia each year that result in 47,900 hospitalisations, 38 deaths and a cost to the economy of $2.1 billion. Food borne disease isn’t a minor illness but can leave you with long term effects such as reactive arthritis.

Deputy Mayor Amanda Spencer-Teo said the City is participating in Australian Food Safety week by partnering with Grow It Local to help educate and inspire more people to grow and eat locally.

“Growing your own food improves the health and wellbeing of ourselves, our communities and the planet, as well as having a positive impact on mental health and improving access to healthy, fresh and nutrient-dense foods.” said Deputy Mayor Amanda Spencer-Teo

Grow It Local is one of many local council initiatives designed to encourage sustainable living and food systems. Sign-up to Grow It Local for free to see what’s growing locally and connect with local growers and food lovers.

In 2022/23 the program resulted in 491 residents becoming members; 77 residents attending workshops (12 workshops inc. productive gardening, cooking, composting and gardening with climate change); 68% of members growing food without the use of chemicals, and 83% of growers reporting that growing their own food has had a positive impact on their diet.

Other useful tips to stay food safe are:

• Buy yourself a meat thermometer and use it, it doesn’t have to be a fancy digital version (although they can be more effective) one with a dial can be just as effective.
• Meat such as mince, sausages, rolled roasts, liver and other offal and chicken need to be cooked to at least 75°C in the centre (using that meat thermometer).
• Beef, lamb, kangaroo in whole cuts like chops, steaks, pieces and roasts at least 63°C (medium rare) and leave to rest 3 to 5 minutes. Pork steaks and pieces to 70°C and roasts to between 70°C and 75°C and leave to rest 3 to 5 minutes.
• Don’t purchase food from unknown sources such as on social media, make sure they are a from a legal source.
• If you need support contact a food charity such as OzHarvest, Second Bite or FoodBank.

Learn more about food safety and test your knowledge and take the food safety quiz on the Food Safety Information Council website.