24/05/2022 - Permalink

Ensuring safe food is served up for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Related topics: Leisure, culture and heritage / Partner organisations / Public protection

Shropshire Council is working with Food Standards Agency (FSA) to ensure safe food is served up for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.  

If you are planning to celebrate in Shropshire during the Bank Holiday weekend (Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June 2022) and you’re not sure where to start with food safety, here are some easy-to-follow tips so the food at your event is memorable for the right reasons.  

To ensure a risk-free celebration, remember warm weather and outdoor cooking is the perfect condition for bacteria to grow, and risks remain when preparing and serving chilled food.  

Sandwiches

Food safety advice for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Here are some simple tips if you’re making food for large numbers of people:     

  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water before food preparation and consumption   
  • Always wash fresh fruit and vegetables  
  • Keep raw and ready-to-eat foods apart   
  • Do not use food past its use-by date   
  • Always read any cooking instructions and make sure food is properly cooked before you serve it – it needs to be piping hot  
  • Ensure that food preparation areas are cleaned and sanitised before and after use and ensure equipment is washed in hot soapy water   
  • Plan ahead to keep your food cool until you’re ready to eat. Any foods which you would usually keep in the fridge at home also need to be kept cool on your picnic. This includes; any food with a use-by-date, cooked dishes, salads and dairy products, place these foods in a cool box or cool bag with ice or frozen gel packs. Distribute these throughout the box or bag, not all at the bottom. You can also use frozen drinks to help keep your cool box cold. Store cold food below five degrees to prevent bacteria from growing.    

 Narriman Looch, head of foodborne disease control at the FSA, said:-

“We are delighted that the Platinum Jubilee gives communities in Shropshire a chance to enjoy gathering together over the long weekend to celebrate this historic milestone. Celebrating safely means thinking about food safety ahead of time, so on the day you can concentrate on enjoying the party.  
  
“We know there’s a lot to organise, but don’t forget hygiene is also important, so plan out carefully how you will prepare, make and store food. None of us want unsafe food to affect the fun we will all hope to have on the day.”    

Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care and public health, added:-

“After the last two years, the Jubilee is a wonderful chance for the people of Shropshire to celebrate. Please take the time to think in advance how you can make sure your food is safe, because last year over 500 cases of food poisoning were reported to Shropshire Council. Follow these simple tips to make your event memorable for the right reasons.” 

 You do not need a food hygiene training certificate to make and sell food for charity events; however, you need to make sure that you handle food safely.  Following FSA guidance on the 4 Cs: cleaning, chilling, cooking, avoiding cross-contamination, will help you prepare a safe feast for your community.      

If you are putting on a one-off event for friends and neighbours, you do not need to register; however, if any food businesses are present, they must be registered with the council. You can check out their food hygiene rating here.     

For specific food safety information regarding holding a street party please see the following guidance from the Food Standards Agency.