Practicing proper food safety is not about having a passing score with the health department, nor is it about doing well while someone is watching. With government program funding and workers stretched thin, one cannot solely rely on the health department to ensure a reduction in foodborne illness risk factors. Proper food safety is about having policies and practices in place at all times that help reduce the chance of causing a foodborne illness.
The main practice to have in place is active managerial control. Active managerial control is defined as “the purposeful incorporation of specific actions or procedures...in order to attain control over foodborne illness risk factors.” These risk factors are:
improper hot/cold holding temperatures
improper cooking temperatures
contaminated utensils and equipment
poor employee health and hygiene
food from unsafe sources
To help control these risk factors a food safety management system (FSMS) must be in place and implemented. FSMS consists of specific actions that help to achieve active managerial control. These actions can include:
Policies such as an employee health policy governing when an employee can work
Employee training for new and current employees
Monitoring of cooking and holding temperatures
Auditing by yourself or a 3rd party.
It is important to understand that the food safety management system must be in place and fully put into action to help control risk factors.
Another component to consider is to have a Certified Food Handler on staff at all times of operations. This individual has shown the ability to understand important food safety and worker safety information including foodborne illness, receiving and storing food, preparing food, serving food, cleaning and sanitizing by passing an accredited exam.
Research has shown that having a Food Safety Management System and a Certified Food Handler on-site at all times of operation can reduce foodborne illness risk factors that can lead to foodborne illness.
At SGB Food Safety, I can help you develop a food safety management system, train your employees, and audit your establishment. Contact me at info@sgbfoodsafety.com to help your business reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
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