Christine Dantz, Author at Safe Food For Thought

November 5, 2018November 7, 2018

Proposed Changes In The MN Food Code Will Effect Kitchen Equipment Requirements

In the coming months, the Minnesota Department of Health will be making some changes to the current food code. One of those changes deals with the types of certifications equipment in industrial kitchens must have. This week, we’ll take a look at how changes in the MN food code will effect kitchen equipment decisions and how it impacts certified food managers in Minnesota.

New Changes In The MN Food Code Will Effect Kitchen Equipment Choices

According to the new regulations, MN certified food managers will have much more freedom as to what equipment they use in their establishment. There will no longer be the requirement for all equipment to be NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) certified. This does not mean that anything goes when it comes to your equipment; certain equipment will still need to be certified for sanitation by an ANSI (American National Certification Institute) certification program. These 10 types of equipment still require sanitation certification:

Warewashing Sinks
Mechanical Warewashing Equipment
Mechanical Refrigeration Units
Walk-in Freezers
Hot-Holding Equipment
Cooking Equipment other than Microwaves and Toasters
Ice Machines
Mechanical Slicers
Mechanical Tenderizers and Grinders
Food Preparation Surfaces, including Prep Sinks

So, how does a certified food manager know whether or not their equipment is certified by the proper agency? Most industrial kitchen equipment will have a stamp, label or other markings indicating that it has been classified for sanitation. If you have a piece of equipment that is listed above without any visible markings, contacting the product manufacturer or your local health department’s office may help you find the necessary information.

With these upcoming changes to equipment sanitation classifications, now may be a good time for certified food managers to make a quick inspection of all of the equipment on the list to ensure they have the proper certification. We feel that widening the scope to any ANSI sanitation standard gives food production facilities more flexibility when it comes to equipment choices. How do you feel about changes in the MN food code will effect kitchen equipment? Will it mean more freedom or more burden?

October 29, 2018October 5, 2018

New Certified Food Protection Manager Vomit Cleanup Regulations

Vomit and feces cleanup may not be a subject that most people want to talk about, but it’s an important topic for food safety managers to understand. The Minnesota Food Code will soon be changing, and among those changes are new procedures for cleaning up vomit and feces after an incident. We’ll explore Certified Food Protection Manager Vomit Cleanup Guidelines.

Certified Food Protection Manager Vomit Cleanup Guidelines

Hopefully it’s not a common occurrence, but there may be an incident that requires a food safety manager to monitor or perform the cleanup of vomit or diarrhea in their facility. The new language in the food code states that food safety managers must establish procedures for employees to follow in the event of a vomit or diarrhea incident. These procedures should be well defined and understood by all members of your staff. Your established procedures should look something like this:

Act fast
Wear gloves
Contain the contamination
Properly clean and sanitize the affected area
Thoroughly wash contaminated plateware and utensils
Properly wash your hands after cleaning up

Containing the incident right way stops the spread of particles that could end up in a guest’s food. Allowing vomit or feces to remain where it is for any length of time gives bacteria ample opportunity to multiply and spread to other sections of your facility.

Wearing rubber gloves, preferable elbow length gloves, will prevent any fecal matter or vomit from touching an employee’s skin. Wearing protective gloves, make sure every surface has been cleaned from visible matter, and then sanitize. Just because there are no visible signs of bacteria, it doesn’t mean that all traces have been removed. Liberally sanitize the areas where the incident occurred, and make sure to extend your sanitation range well beyond the location where visible contaminates are located. Invisible bacteria can be ejected quite a distance from the affected area.

Finally, dispose of any soiled items that are not salvageable and wash all linens, plates, cups and any other utensils in the affected area. Be safe and wash everything within a decent radius of the incident. The possibility remains that unseen bacteria has contaminated nearby utensils.

Do you already have a Certified Food Protection Manager Vomit Cleanup procedure posted for employees?

October 22, 2018October 5, 2018

New Food Safety Training for Reusable Takeout Containers

Over the past few months, we’ve been covering upcoming changes to the Minnesota Food Code, and in the course of our research, we’ve come across a proposed rule that allows food outlets to utilize reusable takeout containers for food and beverages. Since these containers are not always stored on site, adapting to this new opportunity will take a quick food safety training for reusable takeout containers. A simple procedure adjustment that will assure your product can be delivered in reusable containers with minimized risk of spreading food-borne illness.

A New Guide to Food Safety Training for Reusable Takeout Containers

A reusable take-home container prevents wasted paper products, and potentially reduces supply costs for food service providers. If you plan on supplying reusable takeout containers to your customers, you should follow these guidelines in the food code.

Use only containers designed and constructed for reuse
Takeout containers must be initially provided by the food establishment
You must always clean, sanitize and inspect for food particles before refilling

Your local food service provider or restaurant supply store should have plenty of options for refillable containers that meet the health department’s criteria. It’s important to note that guests cannot bring a container from home and ask to have it filled with food. These containers must initially come from your facility. This provides two opportunities for business owners. First, it allows you to ensure that the container is safe for food. If you know where the container comes from it will be greatly reduce your risk. Secondly, marketing opportunities abound if you supply custom containers with your business’ logo and contact information. Having a refillable container that reminds customers of your establishment generates more revenue from return visits.

Always clean, sanitize and inspect returned containers at your facility. Also note, a guest cannot fill a reusable food container. The code requires an employee of the establishment fill the take-home food receptacle. Guests may fill beverage containers, however, if there is a contamination-free transfer process.

Considering the potential to reduce waste and packaging cost along with the branding/customer loyalty possibilities; will you provide your team with food safety training for reusable takeout containers and try this new takeout option once the rules take effect?

October 8, 2018October 5, 2018

Certified Food Managers and Air Curtain Use

Nearly every restaurant has a door propped open from time to time, whether it’s a backdoor to an alley with access to dumpsters or garbage storage, a delivery entrance or even a front door that remains open during hot summer months or periods of increased traffic during busy times. Leaving any door open in a food processing facility leads to the risk of contaminates entering the building via insects, fumes or dirt and dust. It also leads to an energy cost nightmare when heating and air-conditioning systems constantly kick on and off. If this is a problem in your facility, you may want to consider how certified food managers and air curtain use work together – click this air-curtain system link.

How Certified Food Managers and Air Curtain Use Keep Contaminates Out

Back doors and delivery entrances are especially susceptible to being left propped open. This can allow fumes from a delivery truck, flies, insects and other contaminates enter your kitchen. An air curtain can be effective in preventing these types of things from becoming a hazard.

Air curtains work by collecting air in their fan housing and then forcing it from the unit at the top of door frames towards the floor. This creates a wall of air that cannot be penetrated by small insects, dust particles and fumes. It allows doors to be opened for extended periods of time while reducing the risk of outside contaminates from entering your facility. This barrier of air also keeps hot or cold air out, allowing you to better regulate the interior temperature of your establishment. Keeping your open doors protected gives certified food managers one less risk to worry about.

If you have a delivery door or a backdoor that is constantly open, we recommend looking into an air curtain to reduce the risk of pests and fumes from entering your kitchen. Do you utilize an air curtain in your facility? How do you feel about them? Leave us your thoughts on these certified food managers and air curtain use incites.