The Willow Glen Resident

September marks Food-Safety Month in county

The Board of Supervisors has proclaimed September Food Safety Month throughout Santa Clara County. This coincides with a national campaign declaring September National Safety Education Month and with the Consumer Protection Division of the county Department of Environmental Health joining forces with the Partnership for Food Safety Education. The partnership is a coalition of industry, government and consumer groups.

In the United States each year, it is estimated that as many as 81 million people become ill from foodborne disease, resulting in as many as 9,000 deaths from foods prepared in both restaurants and home kitchens.

Food-safety experts agree that most food-related illness can be significantly reduced through an increase in public awareness about the importance of food safety, combined with a thorough inspection program.

Santa Clara County has more than 7,500 restaurants, grocery stores, bars, schools and other food-related facilities open to the public, as well as more than 300 outdoor food festivals each year. Each year, consumers file more than 1,500 complaints related to food safety with the Consumer Protection Division.

--Sharon Parks

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