Essay on Understanding the Importance of Food Safety Measures

Submitted By Cornel-Samoila
Words: 1418
Pages: 6

CU2646 Meet Food and safety requirements when providing food and drink for individuals

1.Understand the importance of food safety measures when providing food and drink for individuals

1.1 Identify potential food safety hazards when preparing, serving, clearing away and storing food and drink

When preparing food, you must be sure the area is completely clean and free of bacteria before starting. Clean the cutting board after each use, using bleach or disinfectant solution cleaning up after meats or poultry. Keep foods at proper temperatures, to avoid bacterial growth and the possibility of food poisoning. Keep hot foods hot, and cold foods cold. Be careful not to cut yourself with sharp knives, or burn yourself with hot oil or hot water. Keep chemicals stored in separate area from foods. When clearing away, use clean cloth to wipe table, not leftover napkins - to avoid spreading germs. Most importantly, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before and after food preparation and after cleaning up
1.2 Explain the importance of implementing food safety measures when providing food and drink for individuals

It’s important in order to reduce the chance of food poisoning, which is an illness caused by consuming food contaminated with bacterial, biological or chemical contamination.
Make sure you practice good hygiene, by washing your hands, washing utensils before using again, heating properly and storing properly.
We have to comply with health and safety legislation; policies and procedures of setting.
1.3 Explain why personal protective clothing should be used when handling food and drink

Wearing PPE will protect food from contamination for example dust, hairs, fibres, and to prevent the spread of germs or bacteria. They must be worn only on food preparation/serving area.

1.4 Explain why surfaces, utensils and equipment must be clean before beginning a new task

By washing the surfaces and other equipment matter on which bacteria grows is removed and the risk of foreign matter in food is reduced. Another thing is preventing cross contamination. Cross contamination is what happens when bacteria from one food item are transferred to another food item, often by way of unwashed cutting boards or countertops, as well as knives and other kitchen tools, or even unwashed hands. Cross contamination can in turn lead to food poisoning.

1.4 Explain the importance of clearing and disposing of food waste promptly and safely Food waste must be disposed of on a regular basis. This prevents any build-up of potentially harmful bacteria. This helps to prevent cross contamination. Pests such as flies and insects love leftovers. There is also the added risk of attracting rodents (mice and rats).
It is important in order to prevent pest hazards, or the multiplication of food poisoning bacteria (pathogens) and to reduce risk of food decay for example smell, or becoming unfit to eat.
1.5 Explain the importance of storing different types of food and drink safely

Good storage of food prevents cross contamination and reduces the multiplication of bacteria, ensuring a good rotation of stock.
Understand the terms of use by dates, best before dates, or the types of food, for example dry foods, chilled foods, raw foods, frozen foods.

2. Be able to maintain hygiene when handling food and drink

2.1 Explain when hands must be washed to maintain food hygiene

1. After you visit the toilet
2. Before entering the food room and before handling any food or equipment.
3. Between handling raw and cooked food.
4. After combing or touching your hair.
5. After eating, smoking, coughing or blowing your nose.
6. After you handle waste food or refuse.
7. After you handle cleaning chemicals.

2.2 Demonstrate effective hand-washing for handling food and drink

We must follow correct procedure for hand washing and effective drying, (disposable paper towels); nails have to be clean, jewellery, like rings, must be removed. 2.3 Use personal protective