Tell me a little bit about yourself?
I’ve worked for the Council for Better Hygiene for 10 years in promoting behaviour, values, and policies. And creating collaboration across sectors.
My professional background is Rhetoric & Natural Sciences so I’m often drawn towards communication of complex issues; hygiene certainly qualifies.
I focus on connecting issues, organizations, and ideas to engage citizens and empower people - of course there’s lot we need to know about and explore, but there’s also tons of good stuff waiting to be used and implemented in homes, workplaces, schools, institutions and so on.
What is your role in Safeconsume?
As we want to help future generations to a better food safety, I’m working with a team led by e-Bug in the UK to look into the current European practice of educating about food, food safety, and hygiene - and then look at how we can add value by creating a new, possible a bit more practical approach to this crucial learning.
In addition to this, we’re also part of a team led by the National Food Chain Safety Office in Hungary that are diving deeper into the communication pathways and network in Europe on these important issues - from authorities to ngos, communities, and citizens - trying to see how these can possibly interact and communicate better.
And finally we’re a proud partner in the overall project communication; doing what we can to present the issues, challenges, findings, and - eventually - solutions via social media, policy networks, conferences, campaigns, and other joint initiatives.
What do you think will be the most important results from Safeconsume?
Getting joint solutions with the added value of an international validation.
Too often we have all had a challenge in transferring solutions or ideas because we lack local uptake or involvement; SafeConsume solves a big part of this - while at the same time the findings and network gives a huge benefit at both local and international level when we discuss integration of food safety into practices and policies.
What is your best advice on how to reduce the risks of food borne illness?
- First of all, food is your friend. Treat it right and it can give you some of the best experiences life has to offer. If you don’t - well; the opposite is also true.
- Remember to wash your hands - and that soap is your friend!
- Teach your kids to cook - and cook with friends; it’s fun and a learning experience for all.
- Think temperature - high and right when you cook, low and quick when you store.