Neogen partners with FSIC to sponsor 2024 Australian Food Safety Week | 9-16 November 2024
Neogen is pleased to announce its partnership with the Food Safety Information Council (FSIC) to sponsor the council’s 2024 Australian Food Safety Week and Summer Campaign.
The Food Safety Information Council is a health promotion charity and a national voice for science-based, consumer-focused food safety information in Australia. Their aim is to reduce the estimated 4.67 million cases of food poisoning that occur in Australia each year that result in 47,900 hospitalisations, 38 deaths and a $2.1 billion cost to the economy, by providing simple, easy to follow consumer information on the handling, storage and preparation of food.
Neogen’s Senior Regional Director for Australasia, Bobby Creasman said there was a natural fit between the aims of the FSIC and the work that Neogen does to protect and enhance the entire food production supply chain.
“Neogen provides the tools that allow producers, manufacturers and regulators to ensure the food we ultimately buy in stores is going to be safe for us to take home to our families,” said Mr Creasman.
“The Food Safety Information Council addresses that final stage to make people aware of the importance of proper storage and preparation in their own kitchen. We are thrilled to be able to contribute to sharing this vital health message.”
Australian Food Safety Week 2024 will be observed from 9-16 November with the theme Look Before You Cook, a reference to being aware and responding appropriately to information on food labels.
Food Safety Information Council CEO, Lydia Buchtmann says consumers should take a few extra seconds to read and understand what labels are telling them to avoid illness, hospitalisation or worse.
“We are fortunate in Australia that manufacturers are required to provide critical information to consumers that could prevent unnecessary suffering,” said Ms Buchtmann.
“Labels identify potential allergens, expiry dates, cooking and storage information but they can only do so much. It is up to all of us to make sure we heed the advice given.”
Foodborne illness is often dismissed as a minor inconvenience, but the consequences can be severe, particularly for high-risk populations.
“If you have ever suffered acute food poisoning you would understand how bad it can get,” said Ms Buchtmann. “Close to fifty-thousand Australians end up in hospital each year. Some foodborne illnesses can result in long term health issues involving the immune system, the gut, or kidneys.”
The underlying message behind Australian Food Safety Week and the ongoing work of the FSIC is consumers have the power to protect themselves from harm by following some simple precautions – such as reading labels.
Companies too, play a vital role in maintaining the highest quality and safety standards enjoyed by Australians.
“Food Safety is at the core of what Neogen is about,” said Mr Creasman. “Knowing that what we do at work each day is helping to protect the people we care about is what keeps us motivated to do more.”
“Neogen is proud to support the Food Safety Information Council in its critical work and I would like to encourage all our customers and the people we work with to help spread the message.”
Further information about Australian Food Safety Week and shareable resources are available from the Food Safety Information Council website.
