Seattle Community Network
Food Safety at WTO Events
A word on our safety at WTO events - beyond the possible tear gas and pepper spray. There are a number of potlucks and other events inolving food, which have the
potential to cause illness unless proper precautions are taken. I was worried about carrying a food dish around all day Thursday in a nice warm backpack and then going to the N30 evening potluck. I'm a biologist and know that's not safe food storage for many foods! I was happy to receive a phone call from Mr. Skilton of the health department, who expressed similar and greater concerns about food safety. Below is the message I received from Mr. Skilton following our conversation. He has provided a number of web resources about food safety (see below) and he would like to meet with organizers of events involving public distribution of food. He is not interesting in "busting" anybody over licenses, he is concerned about safety, including safety of some very vulnerable people. Please read and consider meeting or talking with Mr. Skilton, and/or looking over the information in the listed web sites. Jean Buskin bb369@scn.org- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
From
Christopher.Skilton@Metrokc.gov Tue Nov 28 21:42:02 2000Subject: food safety/WTO
Ms Buskin,
Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to me. At your request, I am assembling food safety resources for you to share as you will. I am willing to speak to any group on food safety issues, given reasonable notice for scheduling. I am willing to distribute printed food safety materials (limited quantities) as well. Food Not Bombs says that, "food is a right, not a privelege." I say that Safe food is a right, not a privelege. I hope that you and your fellow activists can give me a hearing so that I may make our food safety concerns make sense. I invite any and all inquiries from any and all interested parties. Help me truly be of service!
Thank you
Chris Skilton, MS RS
Health & Environmental Investigator II
Public Health, Seattle & King County
My points of contact are:
phone: 206 296-4632
As promised, here are some URLs which may be helpful
http://www.metrokc.gov/health/foodsfty/
http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/sf/foodlinks.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/
http://www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/fsgadvic.html
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/list.html
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/qa-topfd.html
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/intro.html
http://thriveonline.oxygen.com/eats/wgames/gen/kitchentest.html
return to Seattle Area WTO Anniversary Events Calendar