How to improve food safety in your commercial kitchen

Food poisoning is a constant threat for the food service industry. An outbreak from poor hygiene or food handling can close down establishments. There were 9497 cases of food poisoning linked to food and retail businesses between 2010 and 2017 around Australia. Even more worryingly, 1914 people were so ill they needed to go to hospital and 56 people died.

The sources of contamination were restaurants, caterers or takeaway venues. Sickness occurred through eating contaminated raw products, poor cleaning, cross-contamination from raw ingredients, undercooking meat, food left at room temperature which increases bacteria or poor refrigeration.

Cambro products are designed for food safety. They minimise points of cross-contamination, maintain safe food temperatures and keep food fresh for longer. Here are some simple ways you can make your kitchen and meals safer.

Toss out cardboard boxes and use reusable food grade boxes

It’s tempting to move the box of food from delivery straight into your storage area. But, the box could be damp, harbour insects, or have other forms of contamination from the warehouse and transportation.

Cardboard boxes aren’t built to last. The sides tear, and the walls warp with use. In your storage room, this looks messy. As the box expands it takes up space. The disorganisation creates frustration for your staff. Food is wasted, as ingredients are harder to access.

Damp cardboard boxes in your storeroom can encourage fungus and bacteria growth. Cardboard boxes in coolrooms and freezers become soggy too. The moisture in the air collects in the box, slowly breaking it down.

Cambro Food Boxes are made from a durable plastic composite called polypropylene. The boxes keep their shape and won’t crack, dent or warp. They also stack easily to keep your storeroom organised. That means food can be easily accessed before the used by date.

Cambro Camwear Sliding Lids are perfect for busy storerooms. They cover food boxes and slide open and closed. So they’re less likely to get lost after being removed. They also make the boxes stack easily and safely. Covering food boxes with a tight lid, that also closes easily, reduces contamination.

For leafy greens, place a Drain Shelf in the bottom of the box. This keeps the veggies out of the water so they last longer.

Use High Heat H-Pans, Not Dented Metal Pans 

Metal food pans get dropped, banged and dented over the years, resulting in crushed corners and warped walls. The pans don’t stack as well. Also, if the metal pan had a lid, the air seal won’t work.

Dented corners may become sharp or corrode, an OH&S issue for staff.

Cambro High Heat H-Pans withstand temperatures from -40°C to 190°C. They reduce handling, as the one pan can go from prep to coolroom to oven to steam table. Unlike metal pans, H-Pans are safe for use in microwave ovens. They’re also perfect for heated carts, steam tables and chafing dishes.

Cambro High Heat H-Pans keep their shape and look good for food on display. So, food handling is reduced. They come with a variety of lids to reduce contamination by both staff and customers.

Use a lid, not plastic wrap

Cambro makes a variety of durable lids perfect for any ingredient. Lids are dishwasher safe, and if you happen to lose one, it’s more convenient to replace it than reach for the plastic wrap. Lids are an environmentally friendly option.

Plastic wrap won’t seal around Cambro containers as well as lids. Lose plastic wrap increases the likelihood of cross-contamination.

You can easily choose a lid to suit your kitchen.

• Camwear Food Pan Lids: Maintain freshness, flavour and quality while minimising cross-contamination. Available in Flat Cover, Cover with Handle and a Notched Cover with Handle.
• Camwear FlipLid: Provides easy access while reducing the possibility of contamination. Flip lids are less likely to be completely removed and lost.
• Camwear GripLids: Ideal for sealing in soups and sauces. A moulded-in polyurethane gasket grips the food pan tightly to maintain freshness, flavour and quality.
• Seal Cover: Available for both food pans and CamSquares. Seal Covers have an inner seal that extends shelf life up to 3 days.
• CamSquare Lids: These essential lids snap tight for lasting freshness.

Use Food-Specific Labels, Not Tape

Clear food labelling that’s consistent across all ingredients is critical in a busy commercial kitchen. They need to be easy to read for all staff to prevent a bout of food poisoning.

Placing masking tape on containers and writing on it cuts corners and encourages other staff members to do the same. You’re more likely to use out of date ingredients by mistake.

A label can be a template for essential information. It prompts staff to fill in the details and not take shortcuts.

Cambro Store Safe Food Labels are biodegradable and come off easily in the dishwasher or under running water. They don’t leave any sticky residue behind. They’re made for Cambro containers, so they fit perfectly.

No more guessing what’s inside or doing a quick sniff test. Cambro can help you get on top of food safety.

Contact Comcater on 1300 309 262 or fill out the form for more information.