Yes, you can use cling film as long as it's food-grade wrapping. It's important to note that you must never use tea towels or cloths to cover food in display fridges. Make sure your display fridge also has proper sneeze guards or screening to protect the food.
Common misunderstanding: Cling film is not suitable for long-term food storage in display fridges because it doesn't adhere well and can lead to contamination.
While cling film is indeed suitable for short-term use, it must be food-grade and properly sealed to ensure protection against contaminants. For longer-term storage, consider using food-grade containers with tight-fitting lids to maintain hygiene and prevent any cross-contamination.
Common misunderstanding: It's safe to use any type of plastic wrap to cover food in display fridges as long as it covers the food completely.
Not all plastic wraps are suitable for food use. Only food-grade plastic wraps should be used, as they are specifically designed to prevent chemical leaching and ensure the safety of the food. Always verify that the cling film is certified for food contact before use.
No, avoid using cloths or tea towels to cover food. You must only use food-grade storage containers or food-grade wrapping materials. This is to prevent physical, allergenic and microbiological contamination of the food.
Common misunderstanding: Using a clean tea towel is perfectly fine if it's just for a short period.
Even for short periods, using a tea towel poses risks of physical and microbiological contamination. Tea towels can harbour bacteria and other contaminants that can transfer to food, compromising its safety. Always opt for food-grade wrapping materials or containers, even in temporary situations.
Common misunderstanding: If the tea towel is washed regularly, it's hygienic enough to cover food.
Despite regular washing, tea towels can still carry lint, fibers, and bacteria that are not visible to the naked eye. These contaminants can easily transfer to food, making it unsafe for consumption. Always use materials specifically designated for food contact to ensure safety.
Yes, all foods that are stored or displayed in refrigerated units must be adequately covered. This is a crucial food safety requirement to protect against contamination. Even with sneeze guards in place, proper food covering is still required.
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Fridge temperatures should be checked and recorded twice per day or once per shift. Regular checking helps identify any issues early, preventing potential food safety problems.
Food that has been above 8°C must be discarded after 4 hours. This rule is strictly applicable only once and cannot be applied multiple times for periods under 4 hours each.
If you discover that the fridge temperature is above 8°C, you should immediately take the following steps: (1) Check the actual food temperature using a clean, sanitised probe thermometer.
Raw meat should always be stored on the lowest shelf of the fridge to prevent drips from contaminating other foods.
Yes, it is necessary to record all fridge temperatures, even when they are within the normal range.
Batch-cooked food should be consumed within three days, including the day it was prepared. For instance, if the food is cooked on Tuesday, it should be used by the end of Thursday.
Ideally, fresh fish should be stored in a separate fridge set at a temperature below 3°C to meet its specific cooling requirements.
Fridge seals should be inspected weekly to check their condition and cleanliness. This regular maintenance helps keep the fridge working efficiently.
If the duration of the fridge outage overnight is unknown and you cannot verify that the food temperature has remained below 8°C using a probe thermometer, it is safer to discard all the food and record it as waste. However, if the temperature checks confirm the food is below 8°C, you can safely transfer it to another working fridge. This approach prevents unnecessary waste while ensuring compliance with food safety standards.
When food is stored in a fridge and the temperature is between 6-8°C, it should be checked hourly to ensure it doesn't exceed 8°C.
No, you should not put hot food directly into the fridge. Doing so can raise the temperature inside the fridge, potentially affecting other stored foods and causing temperature fluctuations.
Ensure there is adequate space around all sides of items in your fridge, particularly at the back and sides of the unit, to allow cold air to flow freely.
If you don't have access to an alternative refrigeration unit during a breakdown, you must use the affected food within 4 hours if the temperature rises above 8°C.
If the fridge seal is damaged, it's important to address the issue immediately as it can lead to warm air entering the fridge and cause temperature fluctuations.