Managing inventory for a food establishment can be a tricky job. On one hand, no business wants to serve customers expired goods that can make them sick. However, food waste can cause stores to lose out on valuable profits. So where is the line? When can you hold on to food, and when should you […]

You may have heard how cross-contamination can happen during food preparation. But did you know that it’s also a danger to food in storage? How cross-contamination works Cross contamination occurs when germs from one food item spread to another food item. This could happen directly, like if a piece of raw meat drips on or […]

If you work in retail food service, you’ve probably seen a customer with an animal at your workplace. Maybe you’ve brought an animal to a restaurant or grocery store yourself. And it’s hard to blame you! People form close bonds with their animals, and who wants to leave a dog behind when his tail starts […]

Pests are sneaky creatures that can wreak havoc in your restaurant, grocery store, or other food facility. They present many different types of hazards and that could be extremely harmful to the customers you serve. Preventing pests from entering your establishment is the best way to avoid a pest infestation. How can you do that? […]

If you’re a food handler, you know cleaning out the popcorn machine or the deep fryer can be a pain. But do you understand how those tasks protect your customers from getting sick? Dirty kitchen equipment attracts all sorts of unwanted visitors, whether they’re pests like rodents and cockroaches or biological hazards like bacteria and […]

Have you ever thought about how many pathogens and germs your jewelry might have? If you were to put your jewelry under a microscope, you’d probably be disgusted to see the number of bacteria and dead skin cells that jewelry can accumulate — especially rings and bracelets. The fact is, everyone carries disease-causing microorganisms on […]

Did you know that hair is a common hazard when it comes to food safety? Customers that find hair in their food are usually disgusted, and are less likely to return to your establishment. It’s also a health code violation if hair restraints are not worn or if improper hair restraints are used. It’s important […]

How should I organize my refrigerator? Whether you’re stocking a restaurant fridge or your refrigerator at home, the organization method can have a big impact on how long your food lasts. In general, you should store foods by cooking temperature. Put foods that require less or no cooking over foods that require more cooking. Organizing […]

Thermometers are vital tools in food service. You need them to cook, cool, hold, and reheat food safely. A thermometer that is even five degrees off can lead you to sell or serve food that is not safe to eat. But you can only rely on a thermometer if you calibrate it often. Exactly how […]