What You Should Know About Food Handling For Beginners

As a beginner in food handling, it is vital to know that there is a proper way that you need to handle food. If you handle all food properly, they can be safe. Proper food handling prevents food poisoning from happening, and you protect your customers from getting foodborne illnesses. Here you will learn what you need to do while handling food, making it safe for consumption and preventing it from spoiling.

1)  Wear Gloves

You should always ensure that you wear gloves when handling any cooked and ready-to-eat foods. Gloves are there to protect food and you as a worker for e coli or any other food borne illnesses. Protect you how – you may ask. Well, they can cover or protect your skin from the risk of developing skin conditions.

It is important to note that bacteria can contaminate gloves, just like your hands. Therefore, they are not substituting for hand washing and good personal hygiene. In addition, there is nothing good as having the best food handling gloves to protect you and your customers. To save your time, they have reviewed various disposable gloves available in the market. You can learn about the pros and cons of each type of kitchen glove before purchasing.

2)  Personal Hygiene

When it comes to food handling, personal hygiene is vital, but most food handlers overlook it. Always ascertain that you clean your hands with soap and water thoroughly. Avoid using a cloth that most people use to dry their hands; instead, use a disposable towel. Whenever you feel under the weather, but you have to work, wear a mask to avoid coughing and sneezing on food.

Lastly, to maintain personal hygiene, do not use artificial nails or nail polish, and your fingernails should be short and easy to clean. This is because so much bacteria and dirt can get caught under the fingernails, making it hard to clean.

3)  Clothes

While in the kitchen, avoid wearing outdoor clothes. Instead, wear clean and, if possible, wear washable protective clothing. Always ensure that you have a clean apron, hairnet, gloves, and closed-in shoes with a slip-resistant sole.

4)   Check Refrigerator Temperature

Bacteria do not do well in the cold. Always store your food in the refrigerator and ensure the temperature is below 40 degrees. You can purchase a refrigerator thermometer to ensure that your fridge is always at this safe temperature.

5)   Keep Things Separate

When you are handling raw meat, seafood and poultry, keep their juices away from ready-to-eat foods. Ensure that you separate them while purchasing at the grocery and storing them in the fridge to avoid cross-contamination. Ascertain that you use a different cutting board for raw meat products. Always use hot, soapy water to wash cutting boards, dishes, and utensils if they come in contact with raw meat, seafood, or poultry.

While handling food, you need to be careful; one small mistake can make another person sick or even worse. Therefore, follow the above rules to minimize the possibility of foodborne illness and keep your business running smoothly.