May 2007

Beating a killer while on the road

New fact sheet helps senior travellers to be 'food smart'

AUSTRALIA'S grey nomads have been urged to be food smart during their travels.

The warning comes as thousands of caravanners and motorhomers prepare to flee the chilly southern states and head north in search of the winter sunshine.

The risk of food poisoning increases for travellers when food is prepared outdoors or in cramped kitchens. Smaller fridges, some which are turned off when travelling, and lack of clean running water also contributed to the risks.

Now the federal government has published a fact sheet to help grey nomads remain healthy during their adventures.

Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing Senator Jan McLucas said: "With the season now upon us when many Australians take to the road, it is important to remember basic safety precautions when handling food."

About 5.4 million Australians get food poisoning annually, with120 people dying as a result.

The On the Road fact sheet has been produced by the Food Safety Information Council and is aimed at senior travellers

"Food safety is especially important to older people, who potentially have less immunity against infections, and in particular less digestive system capacity to destroy bacteria ingested in food," Senator McLucas said.

"Many grey nomads from southern Australia head north, and they are often unaware of the extra risk posed by the hotter and more humid climate when preparing and storing food."

The guide offers tips on keeping healthy during their travels.

"The tips prepared by the Food Safety Information Council are extremely important when travelling because the food safety risks are greater with food prepared outdoors or in cramped kitchenettes; fridges are smaller and may be shut down when travelling, and clean running water may not be available," Senator McLucas said.

"It's great to see people enjoying the outdoor life, but imagine what it would be like if you got food poisoning when you were in a remote area, a long way from a doctor. The travelling life should be carefree - without the worry of food poisoning, which is preventable with just a little care to cook, chill, clean and separate our food."

The On the Road fact sheet is available at 'What's New' on the Food Safety Information Council's website at www.foodsafety.asn.au

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