With winter approaching, it’s typical for fresh product availability to wane and force many outlets to bring in frozen product. Even though we cover thawing frozen product at length in our online and instructor led food safety certification MN courses, we thought it might be a good idea to provide a quick review on the subject.
Proper Thawing Procedures
Before we begin our discussion, we’d like to share with you an actual question that was once used in some states’ food handler’s permit tests:
Where is the proper place to thaw an 18-pound frozen turkey?
A. On a counter
B. In your refrigerator
C. In the oven
D. In the trunk of your car
If you chose D, then this blog is for you. The proper answer to this question is in the refrigerator. Cooking a large, frozen turkey is sure to create a bacteria hazard or an overcooked and inedible bird, and there is no way to safely thaw a turkey on a counter at room temperature.
After publishing almost 70 information packed blog posts in the last two years Safe Food Training has become a go to destination for Minnesota food safety regulations. Our target audience of MN chef’s, certified food managers and restaurant owners can find information on everything from safely preparing wild game dinners to preventing wild animals in your dumpsters. We’ve provided our readers tips on buffet service, shellfish storage and proper freezer sanitation. We’ve also occasionally discussed management, marketing and HR issues of interest to our audience. We’re proud of the body of knowledge we’ve assembled for Minnesotans in the food service industry.
Introducing the new Safe Food for Thought blog
However, it’s about time to move on to something new… we’d like to introduce you to Safe Food Training’s new Safe Food for Thought blog. We’ve just begun to scratch the surface of food safety and related issues for the food service industry in MN. We have plans to discuss more food management nuances/challenges as well as provide updates on food safety legislation, and review new equipment for your kitchen and much more!
Make Minnesota the Safest Place in the World to Go Out to Eat
It’s Safe Food Training’s objective to help MN to become the safest place in the world for people to enjoy going out for a meal! We start by providing the state’s best class room training for food service workers who want to become a new certified food manager. Over 90% of our students pass the exam on their first try. We continuously monitor that indicator of our success and survey our students to find ways to update and improve the courses.
We also provide both on-line and regularly scheduled instructor lead re-certification courses to refresh current CFM’s. But a four hour class every three years is just the minimum.
Safe Food for Thought a Continuous Supply of Food Safety Information
Our weekly blog is intended to continually challenge our readers, remind them of the food safety standards and make them aware of changes in the code. We also encourage our readers to pass our tips and tricks on to others in their organization so the whole staff is sensitive to the importance of food safety and aware of proper food handling procedures.
Our team designed this new site to make it easier for food service workers to find information relevant to their everyday challenges. If you have a question about a topic we haven’t already covered, let us know. We’ll get an answer and publish it as a blog so everyone benefits.
Safe Food for Thought New 24/7 FDA Recall Alert
Another unique addition to the new site is an alert feature that food managers can use to check for the most up to date food recall information. This new feature provides 24/7 streaming data from the FDA regarding all US food recalls. You no longer have to lose sleep worrying about serving contaminated food supplied from a manufacturer. Just quickly check the blog once a day to make sure your supplies are safe.
Can you tell we’re fired up about our new blog?!? You’ve already told us you love the old blog and you read it regularly. The new Safe Food for Thought blog will make it even easier to stay informed about your career and help you to keep your customers safe. We know that a better informed workforce can make Minnesota’s hospitality industry a safer place to eat out. Safe Food Training is ready to make a difference!
You may have seen them on TV shows, on the big screen or read about them in horror novels, but pretty soon poltergeists, criminal masterminds and zombies will begin roaming our streets. There is no need to be afraid. We’ll also have pint-sized superheroes, cowboys and astronauts coming to our defense. No matter which doomsday scenario occurs near your restaurant, store or production facility, we at Safe Food Training have developed a ServSafe MN plan to help you prevent your Halloween event from becoming a food-borne illness horror story.
ServSafe MN Guide to Surviving Halloween Horror
If your outlet is open the evening of Halloween, you’ll need to be prepared with a treat for young goblins. This is not only a great way to be a part of your community’s festivities, but parents will see your hospitality and may return to sample your cuisine on a later date. We have three things to keep in mind when you plan the treats you’ll have available.
With winter approaching, it’s typical for fresh product availability to wane and force many outlets to bring in frozen product. Even though we cover thawing frozen product at length in our online and instructor led food safety certification MN courses, we thought it might be a good idea to provide a quick review on the subject.
