New TV show emphasizes at-home food safety

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Foodborne illness is estimated to cause over 76 million illnesses, 300,000 hospitalizations, and 5000 deaths each year in the United States. Over half of these illnesses are related to home kitchens. Public Health - Seattle & King County, in an on-going effort to educate the public about food safety, has just produced a new television show entitled "Food Safety at Home."

"Most foodborne illnesses are avoidable by properly handling food from purchase to preparation," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "This new show will inform viewers how to protect themselves and their families from illness that is merely unpleasant in mild cases but that may be life-threatening in serious cases."

Part of the "Spotlight on Environmental Health" series, the new show features host Morgan Barry discussing food safety with long-time restaurant inspector and food safety expert Larry French. The show discusses:

Why you should buy meat and dairy just before you reach check-out
How to keep groceries safe if you have a lot of errands to run
Where to put different foods in the refrigerator
Avoiding cross-contamination
When to save leftovers and when to throw them out
Temperature control
Using barriers with ready-to-eat foods

"Food Safety at Home" will be shown this week on CTV (Channel 22 on Comcast Cable) at the following times:

Thursday, November 13, 2003, 6:00 a.m.
Saturday, November 15, 2003, 11:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 16, 2003, 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

For other times on CTV during the next few weeks, please visit www.metrokc.gov/ctv. Additionally, viewers may call 206-296-0300 to request "Spotlight on Environmental Health: Food Safety at Home" during any CTV viewer request time.

Public Health produces "Spotlight on Environmental Health" to address issues related to healthy living and the environment.

For more information about food safety go to www.metrokc.gov/health/foodsfty

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