Food safety standards for Restaurants

Food security is truly important. Although it is not something that most people think on a daily basis, those in the restaurant industry are always thinking about it. Food security is constantly in the minds of restaurateurs, chefs, kitchen staff members and anyone else involved in the restaurant. The last thing anyone wants is to work in the field for a customer to get sick from the food that the chef has worked hard to prepare. At the same time, people in the industry also to avoid having to close their restaurant because they did not meet standards of food safety.

Guidelines for Food Safety

Food security should not be an impossible thing to deal with. Having the right equipment and the right knowledge will help you. Here are some guidelines to remember:

All restaurant employees must follow the guidelines for hygiene. They should always wash their hands after using the bathroom and before preparing food.

Cross-contamination of foods should be avoided at all times. Wash, rinse and sanitize all food contact surfaces such as worktables, slicing equipment and other preparation.

Cook foods to recommended internal temperatures.

Hot food should be kept hot at a temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Cabinets provide a steady source of adequate heat.

Cold foods must be kept cold at temperatures of 41 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Keep a refrigerator thermometer to make sure that the temperature setting is correct.

Abusing standard time and temperature standards for food must be avoided at all costs when handling prepared foods.

Scrap must be heated in the oven, once, after which should be thrown out.

Food security means better health

The bottom line is that issues of food security for all. Restaurateurs, chefs, employees, and patrons can be damaged by food-borne pathogens. There are more than 250 known foodborne diseases causing anywhere from minor illness to death. Following the simple guidelines above and making sure that all your restaurant equipment works properly, can help prevent disease and illness caused by unhealthy foods .......