Food and Kitchen Safety
Food and Kitchen Safety
Personal Hygiene Practices
- Always wash hands thoroughly before, during and after handling food, especially when moving between handling different types of food.
- Keep clothing, aprons, and dishcloths clean to avoid cross-contamination.
- Avoid touching your face and hair during food preparation.
- Remember to cover any wounds or injuries on your hands with a waterproof plaster.
Safe Food Handling and Preparation
- Use separate cutting boards for raw and cooked food to prevent cross-contamination.
- Ensure you thoroughly clean all utensils and surfaces before and after use.
- Never re-use marinades used on raw foods unless boiled first.
Temperature Control
- Store perishable food such as meat and dairy products in the refrigerator promptly to prevent bacterial growth.
- Understand the correct internal temperatures for cooking various type of foods, like chicken and pork.
- Always defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator, cold water, or microwave, not at room temperature.
Disposal and Cleaning procedures
- Ensure waste bins are cleaned regularly to avoid build-up of bacteria and vermin.
- Hard surfaces should be cleaned with hot soapy water and then with a sanitising solution.
- Keep operating equipment clean to avoid build-up of grease and grime which can harbour bacteria.
Potential Hazards in the Kitchen
- Handle knives and other sharp tools correctly to avoid injury.
- Do not leave loose cables or clutter on the kitchen floor to prevent slips and trips.
- Always check the condition of equipment before use, reporting any broken or malfunctioning parts immediately.
- Remember to switch off electrical appliances after use to prevent potential fires.
Food Allergies and Special Dietary Requirements
- Be aware of common food allergens like milk, eggs, nuts, and to label foods accordingly.
- Understand different dietary restrictions such as vegetarian, vegan, halal, and kosher and how to effectively cater to these requirements.
- Adequately separate, store, and prepare allergen-containing foods to prevent cross-contamination.