Food safety is paramount and there are some foods that are high risk and require a considerate amount of attention.
High risk foods must be handled with care. For instance, eggs and poultry products must be monitored as if they happen to expire or be stored incorrectly they can cause salmonella poisoning. Similarly, shellfish and seafood products need some special care when it comes to storage options and expiry dates. While these are considered high risk foods, all types of food can pose a health threat if they are consumed once they have passed their sell-by date or if they have been stored incorrectly.The food safety certification is crucial if you want to rest assured that you are compliant and acting within the Department of Health’s regulations.
To find out exactly what you need in order to be compliant with laws ensuring your food is safe, you should contact your local municipality. The Department of Health’s regulations on food safety guidelines are compulsory for restaurants. This ensures that the food that is handled, supplied or served to the public is risk-free. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point system (HACCP) takes a preventative approach to food safety and implements measurements that will reduce risks and maintain safety. However, HACCP is not compulsory for restaurants. To find out more about HACCP and training you can contact HACCP Academy. They are a full service food safety certification and consulting business.Pest control is another area that must be addressed in the food industry. An infestation has dire implications and threatens the food safety measures that have been put in place.
A pest infestation will affect your standards of hygiene and cleanliness. Having a comprehensive pest control plan and policy in place is an absolute necessity or you may find yourself in hot water with the authorities. If a health inspector is made aware that you have no pest control policy in place you will be fined, but if a customer notices a cockroach crawling across their plate of food you will lose a lot of your patronage through a tarnished reputation. It’s wise to contract a professional pest controller in your area who can offer you an on-going comprehensive and robust pest control plan. They will also perform regular inspections and explain their concerns which will help you to understand any pest control issue you may have or are in danger of. To find out more about running a food business that is safe, hygienic, pest-free and compliant please have a look through our eBook The Restaurant Manager’s Guide.[hs_action id="2105"]
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