THE dangers of food poisoning during barbecues will come under the spotlight in the North-East next week.
With the number of reported cases of food poisoning reaching 138 in Hartlepool last year, environmental health officers are reiterating their message that good hygiene is vital to prevent food poisoning.
As part of National Food Safety Week, which starts on Monday, Hartlepool Borough Council has launched a safety campaign aimed at barbecues, which has been called Respect Your Meat.
The council has also produced a six-point plan to help people avoid food poisoning while grilling burgers in the back garden.
Kim Baines, the council's environmental health officer, said: "At this time of year a lot of people have barbecues so we have chosen this as our food safety theme.
"We do hope that local people observe the advice we are giving out, and that this will help reduce the number of food poisoning cases in the town."
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