FOOD SOURCE 1b Unwholesome; signs of spoilage PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE Canned or hermetically sealed foods must be handled so as to maintain container and product integrity. Dented and damaged containers allow for the contamination of the food within the container. This contamination can result in the growth of disease-causing bacteria or spoilage of the can’s contents. Food establishments are required to inspect can goods for damage. Damaged goods are not to be used. They must be disposed of or be segregated and held in designated areas pending proper disposition. 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. TOXIC ITEMS 8a Improperly stored PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE Separation of cleaners, sanitizers and other chemicals from food, equipment and utensils helps ensure that chemical contamination does not occur. Cleaners, sanitizers and other chemicals must be stored below and away from all food, food preparation areas, warewashing areas, clean equipment and utensils, paper good and single service items. 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. IMPROPER CLEANING OF EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS 12b Non-food contact surfaces PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE The surfaces of cabinets, utensil drawers, shelves, the outsides surfaces of refrigerators, hot holding equipment and other nonfood contact surfaces must be cleaned to keep them free of accumulation of food spills, dirt and grease. The presence of food debris or dirt on nonfood contact surfaces may provide a suitable environment for the growth of bacteria. Workers may inadvertently transfer this contamination to food. Accumulation of food spills and food residue on nonfood contact surfaces may also be a source of food and harborage of insects, rodents, and other pest.
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