LSBU student helps make London Olympics safe
MSc student Sara Mancini employed as a food safety officer by catering company providing meals for London 2012 athletesThe Food Standards Agency (FSA) recently announced that there were no major food safety incidents reported in relation to the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, which was down to all the hard work of food businesses and local authorities in their preparations, planning and ongoing food safety work.
Sara was able to put her knowledge and skills into practice to ensure food hygiene requirements were maintained which involved closely monitoring the working practices of catering staff, preparing risk assessments, temperature monitoring and stock control. Sara described the experience as "a dream come true".
During the event Sara met with the Prime Minster, David Cameron and many of the star athletes including Usain Bolt who visited the catering facilities. Contractual agreements prevented staff from taking photographs of the guests and visitors. Sara is preparing a review of the food safety practices used during the Games as part of her MSc Food Safety & Control project under the supervision of Dr Ken Spears of the Department of Applied Sciences and has been offered continued employment with the catering company.