Issues As We Age - Food Safety

As an older person, or someone caring for an older person, food safety is an important part of a healthful lifestyle. Although younger people are more likely than older adults to get a foodborne infection, it is older adults who are more likely to face the risk of serious complications, even death.

Results from a nationwide survey show that seniors do a better job of safely handling food than any other age group. Even so, when it comes to staying safe, you can never know too much.

A lot has changed over the years – including the way food is produced and distributed. Through science, new and dangerous bacteria and how they cause illness are continuously being discovered.

To help you quickly and easily find the latest food safety information and handling recommendations, click on the fact sheets and resources below.

• General Consumer Food Safety and Food Preservation Information
  
  
• Seniors and Food Safety: Preventing Foodborne Illness This comprehensive publication from the US Food and Drug Administration has it all – from a basic review of foodborne illness to recommended food handling practices at home and when eating out.
  
  
• Seniors Need Wisdom on Food Safety This fact sheet from the US Department of Agriculture provides quick and easy tips for handling food safely and charts on minimum cooking temperatures and cold storage.
  
  
• To Your Health! Food Safety for Seniors A comprehensive and visually interesting fact sheet to read “on-line.

For answers to your food safety questions, contact the UNH Cooperative Extension Family, Home and Garden Education Center Info Line at 1-877-398-4769, Monday through Friday from 9 am to 2 pm year-round.