Don’t let your food turn nasty! Foo

Don’t let your food turn nasty!

Food poisoning is a serious health problem. It can cause severe illness and even death. Food poisoning can seriously damage the reputation of a business, damage the reputation of the food industry, and damage the jobs of many workers.

As a person who handles food – whether you are a kitchen hand, a food process worker, a shop assistant or a waiter – you have an important responsibility to handle food safely. So:
• protect other people from getting sick
• protect your reputation in the food industry
• protect your business, and
• protect your job.
Victorian and Australian food safety laws are designed to ensure that food that is sold is safe to eat and free of any contamination. All Victorian businesses and organisations that make, display, transport or prepare food for sale must comply with the national Food Safety Standards and Victorian food laws. This includes following requirements that apply to certain classes of food premises, that is:

Class 1 and 2

• Follow the business food safety program
• Follow the advice given by the food safety supervisor, unless your premises is exempt.

Class 3

• Complete the required basic records about your food handling practices and keep them onsite.

Your council will advise you about the class of your food premises.

Prevent food poisoning by practicing good personal hygiene

Thoroughly wash and dry your hands before handling food, and wash and dry them again frequently during work.

Dry your hands with clean towels, disposable paper towels or under an air dryer.

Never smoke, chew gum, spit, change a baby’s nappy or eat in a food handling or food storage area.

Never cough or sneeze over food or where food is prepared or stored.

Wear clean protective clothing, such as an apron.

Keep your spare clothes and other personal items away from where food is stored and prepared.

If you have long hair, tie it back or cover it.

Keep your nails short so they are easy to clean, and don’t wear nail polish as it can chip into the food.

Avoid wearing jewellery, or only wear plain banded rings and sleeper earrings.

If you have cuts or wounds, make sure they are completely covered by a waterproof wound strip or a bandage.Use brightly coloured wound strips, so they can be seen easily if they fall off.

Wear disposable gloves over the top of the wound strip if you have wounds on your hands.

Change disposable gloves regularly.

Advise your supervisor if you feel unwell and don’t handle food.