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Food Safety Tips



Tips For Handling Food Safely In The Restaurant

Most people rarely get sick from contaminated foods because their immune systems are strong enough to protect them. But when harmful bacteria multiply beyond safe limits due to unsafe food handling or lack of refrigeration, that's when food poisoning strikes. When the immune system is impaired by sickness, age, or other factors, food poisoning is also more likely.

  • Handle food as little as possible.
  • Throw away plastic gloves after one use.
  • Keep fingers away from mouth, hair, face, skin and other parts of the body.
  • Use the rest room sink or the hand washing sink in the food preparation area for washing hands, not the food preparation sink.
  • Wash fresh produce under running water before it is served either raw or cooked.
  • Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator, under cold running water, or as part of the cooking process.
  • Prepare precooked frozen foods exactly as the directions state.
  • Have foods ready at serving time but not any longer than necessary before serving time.
  • Do not eave cooked foods at room temperature
  • Clean and sanitize food preparation surfaces between different types of raw food products (beef, pork, poultry, etc.) and between the preparation of raw products and ready to eat products.
  • Avoid placing cartons or boxes on surfaces used For food preparation.
  • Wipe food contact surfaces with clean cloths which are used only for that purpose.
  • Keep kitchens free of clutter.
  • Keep worktables clear and clean while in use.
  • Wash and put away equipment that is not being used.
  • Wash and sanitize flatware or other utensils, which fall to the floor.
  • Do not taste foods with any utensil used either to mix or stir foods.
  • Do not use fingers to sample food. Always use a clean spoon.
  • Wash and sanitize flatware or other utensils, which fall to the floor.
  • Do not taste foods with any utensil used either to mix or stir foods.
  • Do not use fingers to sample food. Always use a clean spoon.
  • Use clean tongs, scoops, forks, spoons, spatulas, or other suitable utensils to handle food.
  • Pick up and hold all tableware by the handles.
  • Store tableware away from dust.
  • Provide straws either individually wrapped or from an approved dispenser.
  • Serve butter or margarine in individual servings.
  • Ice machines should be covered. Ice should be transferred to serving containers using approved scoops. Never use hands, cups, or glasses to scoop ice. Keep scoops protected when not in use. Do not store food items on ice used for drinks.
  • Use a spoon or other suitable utensil to remove any serving or mixing spoon that falls into the food.
  • When handling plates and trays do not touch eating surfaces with fingers.

Common Questions:

Are restaurant workers required to wear hair nets?
answer: Hair nets are not required, but food handlers are required to wear some sort of hair restraint. It can be a cap, visor or a hair restraint of some sort.

Is it ok to use dented cans in the restaurant?
Answer: Because dented cans can have holes or compromised areas, they are not safe and should not be used. All it takes is a microscopic hole in these cans to set up dangerous bacteria like botulism and make your customers sick.

Why aren't food workers allowed to have drinks in the food prep area?
Answer: In a hot kitchen drink containers may sweat on the outside because of the heat. When you put the drink up to your mouth and then set the drink down on a table where your are preparing raw food, the bacteria from your mouth, can contaminate the prep table. Also, most food handlers usually forget to wash their hands after they've taken a drink, contaminating their hands which, in turn contaminates the food.

Articles:

How to Build a Better Relationship with Your Inspector. (the need for good communication with health inspectors)

Food Handler - THE HEALTH INSPECTION

Food Safety Lessons

Food Safety // foodborn illness // food safety glossary // HAACP// employee hygiene // pest control // calibrating thermometers // safe food temperatures // taking food temperatures // health inspections posted online // about restaurant health inspections // handling food safely // using gloves // Dishwashing // work safety // safe food storage // food product recalls / / hand washing // food labeling // keeping your restaurant clean / / defrosting food safely //

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