BOLTON'S butchers are to be given a talk on the dangers of the deadly E.coli bug.

It is part of an advice seminar to mark Food Safety Week by council environmental health officers.

Cllr Jack Foster, chairman of Bolton's planning and environment committee, said: "Food safety in butchers' shops is vitally important in light of the recent E.coli outbreak in Scotland."

Eleven pensioners died in the outbreak.

Cllr Foster added: "The council is committed to ensuring that we get this message across and the seminar will emphasise that good hygiene practices such as segregation of cooked meats from raw meats will prevent cross-contamination with bacteria and help prevent food poisoning.

"I would encourage every local butcher to attend what will be a useful and informative seminar."

Food Safety Week events will be held all next week. The seminar is on Wednesday, June 10, at Mere Hall, Brownlow Way, at 2.30pm.

Shoppers will also be encouraged to store food at the right temperatures. An exhibition on food safety will be in Victoria Square on Tuesday, June 9, and Thursday, June 11.

Cllr Bernard Ramsden, chairman of the council's environment and consumer sub committee, said: "With the growing trend in once a week visits to the supermarket, shoppers need to be aware of good storage and food hygiene practices in the home."

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