Food Safety System

Food safety management systems help businesses deliver products that are safe for the public to consume. This is especially important for businesses that produce edibles or food for the benefit of the public. These systems ensure food safety. In this article, we would attempt to explain what is meant by a food safety management system, the food safety act, an example of a food safety management system, and its benefits.

What is meant by a food safety management system?

It is a management system used by food business operators to control hazards, ensure safety while preparing the food, and also ensure the food is safe to eat by your customers. All food business operators must have one in place. The system is also required to be based on HACCP principles (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point). Having a system for ensuring safety is not only a food industry legal requirement, but it is also required for safety practices within your business. Strict adherence to this system or laxity can mean whether your business continues to operate or not.

What is the food safety system called?

It is called Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP). This is an internationally recognized set of rules and methods used to identify and manage risks in food safety. It sets out food safety tips for the food industry in general and food manufacturers in particular. This system gives regulatory agencies, customers, and the general public confidence that a safety system is being implemented and managed properly.

What is an example of a food management system?

An example of a food management system is the SFBB (Safer Food Better Business). This system was developed by the FSA (Food Standards Agency) which was founded on April 1, 2000. This system was created especially for small food businesses. The system can be used to prevent food poisoning as it targets rudiments of the food business like cooking, chilling, cleaning, and cross-contamination of food in the preparation process.

SFBB can be business-specific. This means it can be broken down to fit your particular food business if you are a retailer, restaurant, or you serve different types of cuisines. It can also be used by care homes where there’s catering. Any food chain business can use the SFBB system for something as important as preventing foodborne illness in their clientele.

What are the benefits of the food management system?

The benefits are immense and can have far-reaching effects in the long run. Below are some benefits of having a food management system running.

Foremost, you prevent any instance of food poisoning. You have all sorts of cleaning arrangements ticked off that ensures this.

The quality of your food and overall service is greatly improved. The food you produce is also safe to eat.

Another benefit is, government regulators would trust your establishment. You are trusted to comply with the rules and laws of the industry.

Employees would enjoy carrying out their responsibilities as they are confident they’re doing the right thing, and their employment with you and beyond is safe.

All purchasing, cooking, and distribution processes are organized and easier to track.

Overall sales and profits increase because your food business is reputable.

It is impossible to separate a running safety system from your business. For your business to function at optimum the safety system must be involved in purchase and procurement, cooking, and serving.

What are 10 food safety facts?

The following facts will help you appreciate safety management systems.

1. It is estimated that 1 in 10 people fall ill after eating contaminated food and 420,000 people die every year as a result.
2. The world loses $110 billion each year in productivity and medical expenses due to eating unsafe food in low to middle-income countries.
3. Children bear the brunt of foodborne diseases. Children under 5 years carry 40% of these diseases with 125,000 deaths each year.
4. There is a link between nutrition, food safety, and food security.
5. Foodborne illness affects socioeconomic development adversely because it puts a strain on healthcare systems, national economies, tourism, and trade.
6. More than 200 diseases are spread through food.
7. Vulnerable people suffer the most from food disease.
8. Globalization has made the subject of food safety complex.
9. Harmful bacteria are becoming immune to treatment.
10. Everyone has a role in food safety.

What are 5 food safety rules?

Below are five food safety rules that can help prevent foodborne illness and ensure quality service.

1. Check if your raw material retailer or supplier adheres to proper and clean food handling techniques.
2. After purchase, make sure certain foods are separated from each other. For example, raw meat should be separated from other foods.
3. Check the condition of packaged or processed food before purchasing. For example, if a jar has a bulging lid it may indicate the food is contaminated.
4. Check the package of raw meat to make sure the package is not damaged.
5. Buy properly refrigerated food. For example, do not buy eggs that are not refrigerated or broken.

What are the 4 USDA basic food safety guidelines?

The USDA provides the following basic guide on food safety. They help prevent the contamination of food and keep everyone safe.

1. Clean by washing hands and surfaces before handling food.
2. Separate foods from each other to avoid cross-contamination.
3. Know the cooking temperature of each food and make sure to reach those temperatures. To be sure, you can check with a thermometer.
4. Refrigerate food promptly and don’t wait until they are about to go bad.

What are the 9 basics for handling food safely?

The Pan American Health Organization in conjunction with WHO recommends the following basics for handling food.

1. First, make sure to purchase food that has been processed to protect it from contamination. For example, pasteurized milk is safer than raw milk.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly and repeatedly when cooking and serving food.
3. Make sure to cook raw food properly. Some raw food like meat and milk may be contaminated with harmful organisms.
4. Don’t let cooked food wait to cool to room temperature before consuming them because microbes multiply when food is cool.
5. Store uneaten food properly by refrigerating.
6. Reheat cooked food thoroughly before eating to protect against microbes that have grown while the food was cool.
7. Keep raw food away from cooked food.
8. Keep kitchen surfaces clean at all times.
9. Always use safe and clean water when cooking and washing.

Final Thoughts

Your overall health is tied to food safety. If you are in the business of cooking for the benefit of the public it is especially important to have a safety system in place. Individual homes can apply the principles of safety encouraged in these safety systems when preparing food too. All can benefit greatly when they adhere strictly to the tenets of food safety systems.