Listeria, a bacteria that causes food poisoning, has become more prevalent among pensioners
, as the FSA says that the number of cases in those over age 60 has doubled in the past nine years, with about one in three succumbing to the disease.
They say that older people can limit their risk by throwing out food after it has reached its "use by" date, which may be different from the "best before" labels that help consumers determine when a product will lose flavor or texture.
Listeria is also less likely to develop in food products which are kept frozen, the FSA notes, and temperature in either the freezer or the refrigerator can be play a key role in maintaining freshness: they recommend keeping the fridge temperature between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius.
As part of the annual Food Safety Week, which runs June 15 to June 21, leaflets and posters are being distributed to help older people understand the risk.
© Copyright