How should a food safety policy describe risk management?

In a busy kitchen, managing risks is key to ensuring that all food served is safe. A food safety policy should clearly detail how risks are identified, assessed, and managed. It should explain the methods for spotting potential food hazards, how to evaluate the severity and likelihood of these hazards, and the actions to control or eliminate the risks.

Common misunderstanding: Risk management only needs to be addressed when a problem occurs.

Risk management should be proactive, not just a response to issues. Having a plan in place beforehand helps prevent food safety incidents, rather than merely reacting to them.

Common misunderstanding: A general statement about safety is enough for a food safety policy.

A detailed and specific approach is necessary. The policy should not only state that the business commits to managing risks but also clearly outline how it plans to do so, including specific practices, responsibilities, and procedures.

What does it mean to eliminate or control food hazards?

When preparing food, it's crucial to either eliminate or control hazards to ensure safety. Eliminating hazards means completely removing the risk, while controlling them means reducing the risk to a safe level. This can be done through methods like cooking, refrigerating, or using food-safe chemicals.

Common misunderstanding: Once a hazard is controlled, it no longer needs to be monitored.

Control measures must be continuously monitored and reviewed to ensure they remain effective. A controlled hazard can become a problem again if not regularly checked.

Common misunderstanding: All hazards can be eliminated.

While not all hazards can be completely removed, they can be managed to safe levels. For instance, bacteria can often be controlled with proper cooking and storage but not entirely eliminated from food handling environments.

What kind of monitoring should be mentioned in the risk section of a food safety policy?

Effective food safety involves regular monitoring. The risk section of a food safety policy should specify the monitoring methods used to check if control measures are working. This includes regular checks of temperatures, cooking times, and hygiene practices. It should also outline who is responsible for this monitoring, how frequently it should occur, and how the findings should be recorded and reviewed.

Common misunderstanding: Monitoring is only necessary for high-risk products.

All food handling and processing activities should be monitored, not just those considered high-risk, to ensure consistent safety standards.

Common misunderstanding: Monitoring can be done sporadically without a regular schedule.

Monitoring should be consistent and occur according to a set schedule to ensure ongoing control over potential hazards.

UK Official Guidance

Guidance on food safety responsibilities