The Food Safety Information Council  aims to reduce the number of Australians getting sick from food poisoning by providing simple, easy to follow consumer information on the handling, storage and preparation of food.

The Australian Health Department estimates 5.4 million Australians get sick annually from eating food contaminated with bacteria or viruses. This figure is outrageously high considering Australia has one of the safest food supplies in the world due to effective working partnerships between food manufacturers, food handlers, retailers and government regulators.

A good proportion of this figure is due to us, consumers, who mistreat or mishandle food. Often we do this because of lack of information – that’s the gap the Council wants to fill.

Food Safety Week each November is a major part of the Council’s campaign to pass on simple messages to improve consumer’s knowledge of how to handle, store and cook food safely.

Council members include representatives of state, territory and local  government and food safety agencies, the food industry, community groups and professional associations.

The Council is supported by the Australia Department of Health and Ageing.