TOXIC ITEMS 8b Improperly labeled PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE The accidental contamination of food and food contact surfaces with cleaners, sanitizers or other chemicals can cause serious illness or injury. Distinct labels on chemical containers help ensure that poisonous or toxic materials are properly stored and used. UTENSILS - SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES 13a Utensils not provided; used/stored improperly PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE To help prevent contamination of food by workers, utensils must be provided and used to dispense food. Utensils must also be provided for use in all customer self service areas such as salad bars, buffets and for bulk food dispensing. Utensils that are provided to dispense and serve foods must be stored and handled in a manner that protects the utensil and the food from contamination. Contaminated utensils will contaminate the foods that are being dispensed and served. To prevent possible contamination of food by utensils during pauses in preparation and dispensing , utensils must be stored: a) in the food with the handle up out of the food, b) in a running water dipper well, c) in ice water or in hot water that is above 140oF, d) on a clean dry surface if the utensil is cleaned and sanitized once every four hours. OTHER OPERATIONS 15a Personnel; unauthorized; unclean clothes; hair unrestrained PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE Dirty clothing may harbor disease-causing microorganisms that are transmissible through food to people. Food workers who inadvertently touch their dirty clothing may contaminate their hands. This could result in contamination of the food being prepared. Food may also be contaminated through direct contact with dirty clothing. In addition, employees wearing dirty clothes send a negative message to consumers about the level of sanitation in the establishment. Consumers are particularly sensitive to food contaminated by hair. Hair can be both a direct and indirect vehicle of contamination. Food workers may contaminate their hands when they touch their hair. A hair restraint keeps dislodged hair from ending up in the food and may deter employees from touching their hair. Only authorized workers can be in food preparation and warewashing areas. Unauthorized individuals such as small children or friends of workers can contaminate food or food contact surfaces.
PERSONNEL 2d Poor hygienic practices PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE Retail food establishments must have a Health Department approved Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan in place when vacuum packageing or when conducting other forms of modified oxygen packaging (MAP). Foods not properly processed using MAP techniques are prone to the growth of botulism. All MAP processed foods must be held refrigerated at 41oF or less until cooking or service. Shelf life of MAP foods are not to exceed 10 days. FOOD TEMPERATURE CONTROL 3a Rapidly cool food to 41 °F or less PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE Most food poisonings are associated with foods held at temperatures between 41oF and 140oF for extended periods of time. Health Department inspections stress temperature control of potentially hazardous food.Proper cooling means lowering the temperature of the food quickly enough to prevent bacterial growth. Taking too long to cool off cooked foods is a frequent cause of foodborne illness. During lengthy cooling, disease-causing bacteria may grow in potentially hazardous foods. Avoid letting food stay for long periods of time at growth-promoting temperatures for bacteria 70° F - 120° F. If the food isn't cooled from 140° F to 70° F in two hours or less, then from 70° F to 41° F in four hours or less, enough bacteria may grow to cause a foodborne illness. Restaurants are required to cool food within time frames based on how fast bacteria grow if food becomes recontaminated. By meeting these cooling time expectations, disease-causing bacteria won't grow to dangerous levels even if sanitation is less than ideal. FOOD TEMPERATURE CONTROL 3e Hold cold at 41 °F or less PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE Most food poisonings are associated with foods held at temperatures between 41oF and 140oF for extended periods of time. Health Department inspections stress temperature control of potentially hazardous food. The rate of bacterial growth and possible toxin production by some bacteria, can be greatly reduced when foods are held at temperatures of less than 41oF. This cold holding temperature does not generally kill the bacteria that may be present in food, but will slow or inhibit their growth. Bacterial growth and possible toxin production by some bacteria, will occur in potentially hazardous foods that remain at temperatures between 41oF and 140oF for extended periods of time. If a food is held “off” temperature (between 41oF and 140oF) for only a short time, no significant bacterial growth or toxin production should occur. When time is used to control bacterial growth, potentially hazardous foods can be held off temperature for only four hours or less. After this time any food product that has not been served must be discarded. Operations that use time as a control must develop a plan that outlines food handling procedures, identifies when a food item is removed from temperature control and when it is to be disposed of. This plan must be approved by the health department. FOOD TEMPERATURE CONTROL 3f Food thermometer not available PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE Most food poisonings are associated with foods held at temperatures between 41oF and 140oF for extended periods of time. Health Department inspections stress temperature control of potentially hazardous food. Because food temperature control is so critical in assuring food safety all foods establishment must have and must use an accurate thermometer to check food temperatures. Food product thermometers are to be scaled 0—220oF. They must be accurate to +/-2oF. Food workers need to verify that foods are being properly cooled, that they are reheated to 165oF, that they are cooked to the required temperatures, that they are held hot above 140oF, etc. by using a thermometer. PEST CONTROL 7b Inappropriate pesticide application PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE Effective and approved measures must be taken to control insect, rodents, and other pests that may get into food establishments. Effective pest management includes: a) preventing entry of pests into the establishment by providing tight fitting doors and threshold, keeping outside door closed, and sealing off any cracks or openings in foundations or around utility penetrations. b) Depriving them of food, water and shelter by keeping the premises clean, free of the acclimation of refuse, garbage and food spills. c) Kill what gets in with the use of traps or pesticides. Only approved pesticides, registered for application in food establishments can be applied. All pesticides must be used according to label directions. Rodent baits must be contained and dispensed form closed, tamper proof bait stations. The use of open bait stations or tracking powder pesticides can result in the pesticides being dispersed throughout the food establishment and ultimately contaminating food and food contact surfaces. FOOD LABELING AND PROTECTION 9b Food unprotected from contamination PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE Freezing prevents microbial growth in foods, but usually does not destroy all microorganisms. Improper thawing provides an opportunity for surviving bacteria to grow to harmful numbers. If the food is then refrozen, significant numbers of bacteria may be preserved in the food. Disease-causing organisms can contaminate and/or grow in food that is not stored properly. Drips from condensation and drafts of unfiltered air can be sources of microbial contamination for stored foods. Shoes carry contamination onto the floors of food preparation and storage areas. Raw meats and poultry can contaminate cooked and ready to eat foods if stored above these ready to eat items. Even trace amounts of refuse or wastes present in toilet rooms, rooms used for dressing, storing garbage or tools, or rooms housing machinery can become sources of food contamination. TESTING DEVICES 11c Chemical test kits not provided; inaccessible PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE The temperature of the wash and rinse water is a critical factor effecting cleaning and sanitizing of equipment and utensils. It is important that warewashing machines and high-temperature three-compartment warewashing sinks are therefore equipped with accurate thermometers to measure water temperatures. Sanitzer test kits must also be provided and used by food workers to ensure that the concentration of any chemical sanitizers being used are correct. Warewashing machines are required to operate at specific water flow pressures. Water flow pressure can greatly effect how well a dishmachine will sanitize. Low water flow pressure results in inadequate spray patterns and incomplete coverage of the equipment and utensils being washed. Excessive flow pressures will atomize water droplets and again result in incomplete coverage. A pressure gauge installed on the dishmachine’s final rinse line allows workers to monitor the water flow pressure of a dishmachine.
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