Food and Drink Safety Storage Tips
Understanding proper safe food storage practices at your restaurant or food service location should be a top priority for business owners, managers, and all others who work in food handling. Safe food storage practices help protect your customers and coworkers from cross-contamination and the spreading of harmful and deadly bacteria.
At Certified On The Fly, we believe that food and drink storage safety is something that of which everyone who handles food needs to have a proper grasp. Here are some of our top five food and drink safety storage tips for Texas food handlers:
Save the Date:
Using the First In, First Out (FIFO) rule is a great safe food storage practice to preserve the quality and safety of food and beverages. By putting a date on all of the food and beverage products that come into your establishment, not only are you able to put FIFO into good practice, but you will easily be able to determine when a particular item was delivered, opened, or made. This helps with ensuring the safety and quality of the goods you are serving.
Toss Expired Goods:
If you are routinely monitoring your food and drink products, make sure that you are taking precise note of when your goods expire. If you notice expired food or drink products, immediately throw them away. It is never acceptable to sell or serve food and beverage items past the manufacturer’s use-by or expiration date.
Keep Your Frozen Foods Frozen:
By properly freezing and storing your frozen foods you are ensuring them a longer shelf life. By keeping your freezer at the right freezing temperatures, you will be able to store large amounts of food for future use. Foods that can be frozen include:
- Dairy
- Fruits/Vegetables
- Nuts, Beans, Grains
- Raw Meat
- Seafood
- Cooked Pasta
- Bread, Tortillas, Baked Goods
Don’t Overfill Coolers and Freezers:
Although freezing food is a safe food storage practice to prevent waste and ensure food safety, it is recommended you do not overstuff your coolers or freezers. By overfilling, you prevent good airflow in the unit and make it more difficult to reach and maintain proper temperatures.
Store Your Food Away from the Floor:
According to many food and health code requirements, storing food near the floor is an unlawful mistake. Most establishments must store food at a minimum height of 6-12 inches off the ground. This height ensures that dust, water, and other contaminants are not able to reach food and food containers.
Questions About Safe Food Storage? Certified On The Fly Can Help.
If you are looking to get started as an owner, manager, or employee and your job will involve food handling, knowing food storage safety is a must. The health and well-being of your customers and coworkers are literally in your hands. By taking Certified On The Fly’s online course, you not only get your Texas food handlers certification from a provider that is licensed and accredited by the Texas Department of State Health Services, but you can do so at a low price and with no test. Call us today to find out more about getting a Texas food handlers card.
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