Food safety is paramount. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that more than 48 million people get sick from foodborne diseases each year in the United States. Those are serious statistics that warrant serious thought and consideration, especially when you are in the food service industry. One customer getting ill from eating at your restaurant can be disastrous to your reputation. Thankfully, when you stick to regulatory guidelines and implement these food safety protocols into your standard procedure, you will significantly improve the outcome in your place of business.

1. Start a Food Rotation Program

To comply with the FDA Food Code, you need to implement a food rotation program. You can do this with adequate labeling systems and/or tracking programs. Whatever method you choose, make sure that it meets Federal guidelines, which include:

  • Prepared foods must be clearly marked with the date of preparation and use-by date.
  • Commercially purchased food must be labeled to indicate when the original package was opened and its use-by date.
  • Foods and ingredients removed from their original containers must be labeled for identification.

Regularly go through your labeled food items to ensure that food is thrown out once it reaches the use-by date. This will greatly reduce your chance of serving food that is past its prime.

2. Make sure your staff is Food Handler certified

Making sure your staff have a Food Handler certification is essential to keeping your customers safe. In many states, it is a legal requirement!

Always Food Safe provide online, video based Food Handler training from as little as $8 a staff member. Their courses are ANSI accredited, so you know that a visiting Health Inspector will accept the certification. They also have a business admin area that will allow you to see all of your staff’s certificates in one, easy to use online area. Find out more today!

3. Add More First Aid Stations

Working in the food industry can be dangerous. Sharp knives, hot water, and boiling oil are just a few of the hazards that workers face. It is crucial that you are prepared for an emergency. To improve food safety in your business, add more first aid stations that have adequate first aid supplies for your kitchen staff. Ensure that injured workers, especially those that prepare the food, get adequate care and take precautions to keep bodily fluids out of areas of food preparation.

4. Update Employee Training

Part of ensuring that food safety is a top-priority at your restaurant is through food safety education and training.

Regular training ensures that everyone is on the same page.

5. Keep Food at Safe Temperatures

Bacteria thrives in warm environments. You need to be extremely aware of the temperature of the food in your kitchen, especially when it is sitting out for extended periods of time. Here is a list of USDA recommended safe internal temperatures. Make use of thermometers to ensure that food is being cooked thoroughly and is either kept warm or cooled to prevent food-borne illnesses. Single use t-stick thermometers are an easy way to monitor safe food temperatures.

Dot It Restaurant Fulfillment can assist you in improving food safety in 2018. Contact us at 800.642.3687 for more information and assistance.