Support Continues for Consumer Food Safety Education

August 19, 1999

August 19, 1999, OTTAWA - Over twenty consumer, food industry, environmental, health and government organizations attended the second Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education held earlier this summer. Elections for the 1999/2000 Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Officers were held, the 1998/99 Annual Report was tabled and accepted, and budgets for communications and education activities were approved. (Members list attached.)

The Partnership, which is entirely funded and run by its members, was formed in December 1997, by a group of organizations committed to providing Canadians with safe food, but who also wanted Canadians themselves to be more aware of the role consumers can play in food safety. A national survey conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in early 1998 showed that although consumers are fairly knowledgeable about food safety in the home, many consumers don’t use safe food handling techniques regularly in their own homes.

In November, 1998, the Partnership launched a national consumer food safety awareness campaign called FightBAC!® (BAC stands for harmful bacteria). The Campaign aims to inform consumers of the crucial, yet simple steps they can take to help keep their food safe from the time they bring it home from the grocery store to the time it is consumed by using four key message for food safety: Clean, Cook, Chill, and Separate.

Partnership members have been spreading the messages of the FightBAC!® Campaign across the country through the use of food safety action kits, pamphlets, a travelling exhibit, web site and even a giant-sized bacteria (nick-named BAC!^TM) who has appeared in over 12 Canadian cities in the last year. The messages are also being delivered in some grocery store chains across the country.

Throughout 1999/2000 the Partnership will continue to build on the endeavours through the use of communications products and a food safety learning kit targeted at Kindergarten to Grade 3 students to be released in late fall. This voluntary teaching supplement will aid teachers and other children’s group leaders in their own food safety programs. Additional materials available for children include BAC!^TM stickers, puzzles, coloring pages and bookmarks.

To find out more about the Partnership and upcoming FightBAC!® Campaign events, or to request FightBAC!® promotional products or the Partnership’s Annual Report for 1998/99, visit the Partnership’s website located at www.canfightbac.org or call (613) 798-3042.

For more information contact:

Robert de Valk
(613) 938-1175

Marie-Claude Thibeault
(613) 226-4186