It’s a good thing that food contact surfaces, such as the handles of food storage containers, are generally made of stainless steel, glass, or plastic, because these materials are safe for our health. But what three characteristics must food contact surfaces have? Here are the answers to these questions.
What Are Food Safety Rules ?
STEP 1: Know your risk
To start off, you need to understand what it is you’re actually getting into.
- What’s the risk?
- What’s the risk of buying from the store or supermarket?
- How risky is it to buy something online?
Let’s take some examples:
Eggs are a great source of protein. They’re also a great source of fat. But, they’re also a huge source of bacteria. That’s why eggs are often treated with a chemical called chlorine. It keeps the egg bacteria in check. But, chlorine can also make the eggs taste terrible. And, it can cause other health problems. So, in a nutshell, we’re saying that the more dangerous the product, the less of a risk it is. But, the lower the risk, the more expensive the product will be. So, it’s really all about finding a balance between what you want and what you need.
STEP 2: Know the rules
Okay, so now that we’ve covered the basics, it’s time to learn what the rules are. Food safety rules exist for a reason. They’re meant to protect us. So, before you can actually start eating the food, you need to know what it’s made of. You need to make sure the food is safe to eat. You need to know what to look out for. And, you need to know which rules apply to what. And, that’s exactly what this guide is going to teach you.
STEP 3: Understand the risks
Now, let’s take a look at some of the biggest dangers we face when it comes to food. We already touched on bacteria, but there are a number of other things we need to watch out for.
These include:
Salmonella
Listeria
Brucellosis
Toxoplasmosis
Campylobacter
Cryptosporidium
You’re probably familiar with salmonella.
It’s a common infection caused by bacteria found in raw or undercooked poultry.
And, if you eat it, you might get diarrhea.
What Do You Mean By Food Contact Surface ?
Food contact surface refers to the area where food comes into contact with the packaging material. It’s the part of the package where the food touches. This is an important part of food safety.
Why is it so important? Because pathogens can hide on surfaces. They can spread by touching something, whether it be a contaminated item or an un-washed surface.
You can use food-safe paint to create a barrier between the food and the surface.
It can be done in a variety of ways. You can use a permanent sealant like PVA (polyvinyl acetate) or acrylic. You can also use a water based sealant like urethane.
You can also use a water resistant coatings like a water based latex paint. But be sure to read the label. Some paints are too thick and will limit the amount of oxygen you can use.
You can also use an epoxy. Epoxies are great for food contact surfaces because they are extremely durable. The best epoxies are made from a two part system. One part is a resin and the other part is a hardener.
In a typical two part epoxy, the hardener is mixed in a container. The resin is then added to the container, mixed together and applied.
It’s best to mix the two parts separately. If you mix them together, you may end up with too much of either the resin or the hardener. The mixture will be too thick to apply and you may end up with a mess.
Also, don’t add the resin directly to the hardener. That will cause bubbles to form in the mixture.
When you add the resin to the container, use a spatula to move the resin down into the container. It’s best to use a clean spatula to avoid transferring contaminants to the mixture.
After mixing the two parts, apply the resin to the surface. Use a brush to apply it. It’s best to apply it to the entire surface. Then allow the surface to dry.
What Three Characteristics Must Food Contact Surfaces Have ?
Here are three characteristics that food contact surfaces must have to be effective:
1) Resistant to soiling – To be effective, food contact surfaces must be resistant to soiling. This includes stains, spills, and grease. Grease, however, is not the only type of soiling that can occur.
2) Able to withstand repeated cleaning – After they have been cleaned, food contact surfaces must be able to withstand repeated cleaning without developing scratches or otherwise degrading.
3) Efficient – Food contact surfaces should be able to absorb oils and other contaminants quickly and evenly. This characteristic is often referred to as wicking efficiency.
These three characteristics are critical for a variety of reasons, including the fact that they make the surfaces easier to clean.
If your food contact surface isn’t able to withstand repeated cleaning, it won’t last very long. If it’s not able to resist soiling, then you’ll spend a lot of time cleaning it. Finally, if it doesn’t absorb oil quickly, you’ll need to scrub it more often.
How to Clean Food Contact Surfaces
Cleaning food contact surfaces is a must for most restaurants. The last thing you want to deal with after working hard all day is a sticky kitchen floor or a greasy table. This guide will teach you how to clean food contact surfaces in a professional manner.
STEP 1: Choose the Right Cleaner
In order to clean a surface properly, you’ll need to find the right cleaner for that specific surface. There are a few factors to consider:
How often will the surface be cleaned?
What will be cleaning the surface?
How long will the surface be left wet after cleaning?
Will the surface need to be washed again before being used?
STEP 2: Prep the Surface
First, it’s important to thoroughly clean the area where you plan to use the surface. Start with a bucket of hot water and a scrub brush. If you don’t scrub the surface well, you risk damaging the material.
Next, clean all surfaces that you’ll be using to prepare food, including cutting boards, knives, counters, and pans. This is a great time to prep surfaces that have been sitting in the dishwasher.
STEP 3: Clean the Surface
Begin by washing the surface with hot water. It’s recommended to use soap or dishwashing liquid, but you can also use a vegetable oil. After washing, let the surface dry.
STEP 4: Finish
After washing, apply a light coat of mineral spirits to the surface. This will protect it from dust, grease, and fingerprints.
STEP 5: Wipe Up
Use a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe down the surface. Then, use a damp rag to soak up excess liquid.
STEP 6: Repeat As needed, repeat steps 3 through 5 until the surface has been adequately cleaned.
