AS the weather heats up and our thoughts turn to all the spring and summer festivals that will soon be upon us, Fraser Health is reminding volunteers and festival goers alike to practice good hand hygiene, and food safety to ensure nasty bacteria like E. coli and salmonella don’t ruin good times with family and friends.

If you are a food booth volunteer, here are a few easy ways to protect your food and yourself:
1. Clean and sanitize all food surfaces, cooking and eating utensils, especially after coming in contact with raw meat. A simple solution is one capful of household bleach in one gallon of water.
2. Kill harmful bacteria that cause food borne illnesses when grilling by cooking meat to 71° Celsius (160° Fahrenheit) and poultry to 74° Celsius (165° Fahrenheit). When in doubt use a probe thermometer.
3. Always keep raw meat separate from cooked meat.
4. Keep cold refrigerated foods like luncheon meats, pasta salads or other perishable foods in an insulated cooler packed with lots of ice or several ice packs.
5. Remember to wash your hands well before preparing food and after handling food.

“Without a combined effort between proper food safety and rigorous hand hygiene, your plans for a fun afternoon at the fair could all be for nothing,” says Inderjeet Gill, Manager of Environmental Health Services at Fraser Health. “This year, Fraser Health is offering a course in Punjabi at our offices at Central City in Surrey. Spaces are limited, so register as soon as possible.”

When: April 29 and 30
Where: Fraser Health Offices at Central City in Surrey (13450 – 102 Avenue, Surrey)
Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day
Fees: $70 / person, includes the reference book in Punjabi and the BC Food Safe certificate
Spaces: 20 people maximum

Register in person at Fraser Health’s offices at Central City: First floor, 13450 – 102 Avenue, Surrey.

For more information, contact Inderjeet Gill at Inderjeet.Gill@fraserhealth.ca or by phone at (604) 930-5405.