Every restaurant owner, chef, and cook
knows the value of offering and serving the best possible
food in an efficient and safe manner. Food quality and
food safety should both be of equal importance. HACCP,
or Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point, is a federal
agency dedicated to offering free guidelines and information
on food safety. Those in the food service industry are
required by their respective state and local entities
to abide by food safety standards set by the entities
themselves. Most of HACCP’s guidelines are voluntary
and used by restaurants on that basis (although most state
& local guidelines overlap with HACCP’s).
One of the most important regulations
and first lines of defense is proper food temperature.
If food is not kept out of temperature ‘danger zones’,
then it is possible to spread various kinds of bacteria
and food borne illnesses such as E. coli and Salmonella.
To aide in maintaining proper food temperatures it is
essential to have thermostats on all freezers and refrigerators
that have been properly calibrated and are in good working
condition. In addition, it is imperative to have HACCP
approved thermometers & timers for food prep tables,
grills & stoves, as well as hot & cold food holding
stations. In the food service industry, the restaurant
is the last line of defense for preventing food contamination,
so having the proper equipment protects the restaurant
owners from liability and the customer from illness.
Aside from proper thermostats and thermometers,
what are other ways to protect against food contamination?
Sinks. It is imperative to have proper hand washing stations
with a routine schedule for employees. Sanitary conditions
help avoid contamination issues that could arise that
could potentially hurt restaurant business and reputation.
Each restaurant should have a regular safety plan that
includes proper hand washing procedures, the ‘FIFO’
(First In, First Out) rule and proper holding timers,
for example. These should be regularly monitored and revised
as needed. Protecting customers and your investments are
of utmost importance. At Jean’s Restaurant Supply,
we are committed to helping you achieve and maintain proper
food safety goals within your restaurant. We have the
thermostats, thermometers, nail brushes, food timers and
sinks that you need to begin implementing, or enhancing,
your own restaurant food safety plan.
Jean’s Restaurant Supply will work with you
to make your restaurant facility completely HACCP compliant!
For a complete guide to restaurant &
food safety, visit HACCP’s website: www.cfsan.fda.gov.
Once you have visited their site, considered their recommendations,
and are ready to implement them, we are here to help you
obtain what you need to maintain those standards. For
assistance with any questions concerning these guidelines
or restaurant supply products, e-mail us at contact@jeansrestaurantsupply.com,
Mon – Fri 8a-6p CST or Sat 9a-3p CST.
