This September, National Food Safety Education Month, consider the importance of food safety and learn how you can prevent food-borne illness! It is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that 76 million people get sick, more than 300,000 are hospitalized, and 5,000 Americans die each year from food-borne illness. Thus far in 2006, Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) has followed up on 118 reported cases of food-borne illness, (51 salmonella, 56 Campylobacter, 5 e. coli 0157:H7, 6 hepatitis A.) It is likely that many more went unreported. Most cases of food-borne illness can be prevented with proper food handling and preparation procedures such as regular handwashing and cooking and cooling to proper temperatures. JCDHE is celebrating food safety month with educational displays and the Leader in Food Safety Award as detailed below.

Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) Food Safety Program works to prevent food-borne illness outbreaks and assure that Jefferson County citizens and visitors are provided with safe food. Staff routinely inspect the over 1,800 food service establishments in the County to insure compliance with state regulations and to educate about food safety. Inspection reports for Jefferson County food service establishments can be accessed at http://health.jeffco.us . Check and see the latest reports from one of your favorite restaurants or browse through the database to find a new place to eat out. JCDHE also offers an Excellence in Food Safety class taught in both English and Spanish for food service employees. The class schedule is also available on JCDHE's web site.

Some food service establishments are exemplary in their attention to food safety. The JCDHE Leader in Food Safety Award is presented annually to recognize those establishments that consistently demonstrate their commitment to safe food handling and preparation. The 2006 Leader in Food Safety Award goes to Hoke's Barbecue in Westminster, Colorado. "We want to thank the staff and the management of Hoke's Barbecue for having excellent inspection records, placing a high value on Food Safety Education by training their staff, and continually monitoring food safety procedures." says Dave Hooker, Consumer Protection Supervisor.

Throughout the month of September, the public is encouraged to visit one of the six educational displays set up in the Jefferson County libraries (Bel Mar, Columbine, Conifer, Golden, Lakewood or Standley Lake). This year's display theme "Don't Let Food-borne Illness Spoil a Good Meal" highlights the most common food borne illnesses and how to prevent them; the importance of proper hand-washing in fighting the spread of disease as well as information on getting the most nutrition out of your meals. An additional food safety display will be in the atrium of the Jefferson County Courts and Administration Building from September 5 - 15, 2006.

Help celebrate food safety in Jefferson County by learning more about how you can prevent food-borne illness! For more information on the department's food safety program, please call Environmental Health Services at 303-271-5755. For educational handouts and other information, visit the JCDHE web site at: http://health.jeffco.us .