How To Clean Safely To Protect Your Food Business

Creating and sticking to an efficient cleaning schedule is important for any food business, not just because it makes the process of maintaining food hygiene standards easier, but because it also acts as a written record for the dreaded Environmental Health Officer (EHO) inspections. However, allocating tasks and completing them is only half the battle. It is vital that business owners make sure that every task is carried out regularly enough and most importantly, that it is done properly and safely.

Our Top 10 Safety Tips when Cleaning

1. Before you start cleaning, make sure that food is safely stored out of the way and cannot be contaminated
2. If you are cleaning a refrigerator, cold room or freezer, ensure that the food is kept at a safe temperature outside the danger zone
3. Switch off and isolate electrical equipment, such as slicers, refrigerators, vending machines, processing machines with dry hands before you start to clean
4. Ensure that you know how to use a cleaning chemical safely and always follow the manufacturer's instructions
5. Do not leave items to soak in disinfectant for longer than the manufacturer's recommended contact time because bacteria may become resistant to the chemicals. Never leave them to soak overnight
6. Wear protective clothing, such as rubber gloves and goggles, appropriate to the job
7. Never mix chemicals together, they could explode, cause toxic fumes or burn your skin
8. Work through the stages of cleaning in a way that does not spread dust or dirt, avoid being distracted in a way that puts you, other people or food at risk
9. Clean and disinfect mops and cloths soon after use and leave them to dry in the air
10. Always store chemicals, cleaning equipment away from food and only store chemicals in the original labelled containers designed for that purpose

It is important to remember that bacteria can be present on food that arrives at your business and if this is the case, these bacteria will remain present while the food is in storage. It is therefore essential that workspaces are as clean as possible to minimise the chance of such bacteria spreading. Keeping staff up to date with information and informing them of the risks and situations in which bacteria can multiply will give your business the best chance of maintaining a sufficiently hygienic and safe environment.

Cleaning should be considered as part of the job role for anyone who handles food, even in the smallest capacity. Because of this, all staff should be suitably trained for any cleaning tasks they will be expected to carry out so that they know exactly how to go about the process in a safe and reliable manner. As a business owner, if you are depending on your staff to carry out the necessary hygiene maintenance to run an effective food business, you need to be certain that each team member can be trusted to do things properly.

Cleaning should never be an afterthought in any food business and it should be given prominence within the daily routine. A slap dash wipe over surfaces does not mean that they are safe to work on and it won't be considered as a genuine attempt to uphold Food Hygiene Legislation by any EHO

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Tips on How to Choose Fresh Food Items

It is a good thing to follow a healthy diet but it is much better if you're the one preparing the healthy dishes for yourself and for your family. Learning how to prepare delightful recipes is important especially for those people who want to enter the food business. It is not enough for you to taste the food but it is a must that you learn how they are prepared.

When you enter into the food business, you should be hands-on when it comes to managing and supervising your employees on how to properly handle and prepare each recipe that they will serve. This can help prevent the occurrence of food poisoning. Food poisoning is the common result of improper handling and preparation of food. Chefs should make it a habit to ensure that all the ingredients are safe to be used and that the cooking equipment and utensils are well-cleaned and properly stored.

Sea food is an example of food items that easily get spoiled. That is why it is advisable to inspect it thoroughly to be sure that it is fresh and that safe to eat. One important tip when buying sea foods is to purchase only from reputable stores or market. It is better if you buy from someone whom you trust. Check immediately the quality of the seafood and look for signs of spoilage. If you plan to buy crabs or lobsters, it would be best to choose the lives ones to ensure its freshness.

Another tip when buying sea food is to refrigerate it especially if you're not going to cook it that day. This can help maintain the freshness although it Is suggested that you cook the seafood within 2-3 days.

For other fresh food items that you want to buy, it would be better if you ask the vendor or merchant as to where the food came from before deciding whether to buy or not. For those who want to buy meat, it is wise if you buy from reputable stores or vendors. You should also check the color of the meat. Fresh meat is usually red or pinkish in color. Another wise move is to check the license of the vendor or the business permit of the market and make sure that the meats they are selling were checked by authorized meat inspectors.

When it comes to cooking meats, meats differ on what temperature they should be cooked. You should know the recommended temperature for the meat before cooking it to ensure that bacteria and contaminants will get killed upon applying heat.

Cooked food should not be left on the table or in the counter but must immediately be placed in the refrigerator. Never allow the food left longer than 2 hours.

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Thinking of Starting a Food Business? See Which Are the Most Profitable

Most everyone, at some point or another, thinks about starting their own business. Many gravitate toward the food business because, all other considerations aside, people need to eat. So what better way to make a business a success than giving the people what they want?

Because starting a food business from scratch can be very costly and lacking in support, many would-be owners gravitate toward food franchises instead. Franchises are generally require less of a financial investment, and have a brand name associated with them so the likelihood of success is greater.

Of course, if you're considering starting a food business, your first step will be to decide which food you're going to sell. If you don't have a specific preference, it only makes sense to invest in whatever's most profitable.

Profitability is, of course, hard to predict for any business venture. There are so many unknowns and so many variables that make one business and instant success and another a failure. But one sure way to get off on the right foot is to choose a food business that's popular.

Here are a few food businesses that are popular, and therefore most likely to be profitable.

Hot dog business

Whether it's at a mall, near a ballpark or at the beach in the summertime, hot dogs are always big sellers. Popular with people young and old, hot dogs are an American tradition that are hard to beat. Investing in a hot dog franchise is a good choice.

Ice cream business

Who can resist a sweet, tasty treat on a hot summer day? Or even a cold winter one, for that matter? Ice cream is a universal best seller that never seems to go out of style.

Pretzel business

Opening a pretzel business can be a very sound and very profitable investment, especially if you choose a pretzel franchise. With many pretzel franchise opportunities available, you'll have a smaller upfront investment and the support of a franchisor behind you.

While it's true there are forces beyond your control that will determine the popularity and profitability of your franchise, there's a lot you can do to make sure your food business is a success.

Learn the ins and outs of the business. Nothing will help you maximize your profits more than having a firm grasp on all of the nuances of the food business you've chosen. Knowing the business like the back of your hand from the get-go will help you make decisions along the way that will help with profitability.

Advertise. Make sure you get the word out about your new food business venture, whether that word is online or in the real world. The more people know about your business, the more customers you'll have, and the more profit you're likely to make.

Seek help. This is especially easy when you're part of a franchise, but regardless of how your business is structured, you can ask fellow business owners for help and advice. Most people are perfectly willing to share their knowledge and experience.

Profitability isn't the only marker for success, but it is an important one. Do everything you can to maximize your profits, and you're sure to have a long and successful career as a food business owner.

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