Food Safety in Your Restaurant: 3 Tips
Ensuring food safety is crucial to guaranteeing the safety of the meals you consume. According to the Centers for Disease Control, foodborne illnesses continue to be a significant public health concern, particularly when dining out. In the United States, 48 million people fall ill, 128,000 people require hospitalization, and 3,000 people lose their lives each year due to foodborne illnesses.
Noting these numbers, restaurant food safety becomes an essential aspect of running a successful establishment. Restaurant management and kitchen staff can maintain food safety by implementing a variety of practices. These three tips will help foster safe, hygienic food safety.
1. Proper Storage of Food
Storing food correctly is of utmost importance as it guarantees food’s safe preparation and cooking. Low-temperature freezers are designed to store quickly perishable items like meat, dairy, and poultry. Keeping edible items at a consistently low temperature prevents bacteria growth and preserves food quality. Regular cleaning and maintenance of these units are crucial to prevent the accumulation of mold, bacteria, or other contaminants.
Data loggers can be used in conjunction to monitor the temperature and humidity levels inside freezer units, ensuring that they consistently remain within a safe range. They can also provide real-time alerts if levels go out of range, allowing staff to take immediate action to prevent spoilage or contamination.
2. Safe Food Prep
A second way restaurants maintain food safety is by making all food in a safe and hygienic environment. This includes training all staff on proper food handling techniques, such as washing hands before handling food, using gloves and hairnets, and properly cleaning and sanitizing kitchen surfaces and equipment.
How do data loggers come into play again? They gauge the temperature of ovens and grills, so the food is prepared and cooked at the appropriate temperatures. Additionally, they monitor hot-holding equipment such as steam tables and warming trays, as well as cold-holding equipment like salad bars and refrigerators, to maintain the correct temperature of food before serving. Ambient sensor pods measure temps and humidity in kitchen and prep areas.
3. Safe Food Serving
Proper food serving is a crucial aspect of food quality. This includes providing staff with training on proper serving techniques, such as using clean utensils and plates and emphasizing the importance of not leaving food out for extended periods.
Eateries and dining establishments may consider taking some additional steps to maintain food safety:
- Conducting regular food safety training for all staff members
- Implementing a food safety plan and regularly reviewing and updating it
- Regularly cleaning and sanitizing all kitchen surfaces and equipment
- Routinely inspecting and maintaining all kitchen equipment
- Keeping a detailed record of all food preparation, storage, and serving practices
Supporting Restaurant Food Safety
Restaurant proprietors and staff utilize freezers, data loggers, and other associated safety equipment and accessories as proactive tools to foster food safety and mitigate the risk of foodborne illnesses. Additional steps should complement this as it is just one aspect of a comprehensive safety plan.
Control Solutions seeks to provide a better, more reliable way to monitor storage systems in restaurants, cafeterias and any establishment where food safety — and the safety and well-being of people — is key. Start by browsing our products, and contact us for any questions.
