Ask Gavin: How can I prevent food contamination in my workplace?

This anonymous employer was worried about food contamination risks in their workplace. So they asked Gavin Scarr Hall, Peninsula’s Director of Health & Safety, for expert advice.

Here’s what they had to say…

Hi Gavin, I’ve been reading a lot about listeriosis in the news recently and it’s got me worried. I’m not entirely sure what this is but I know it has something to do with contaminated food and it’s dangerous. I manage a care home with vulnerable elderly residents and I want to make sure we’ve done everything we can to remove any risks. What can we do to make sure food contamination doesn’t happen? ThanksAnon

Gavin’s reply was…

Hi Anon,

Thanks for reaching out. I’m glad you’ve asked this question because it’s an important one for businesses to consider if they prepare and serve food, even if they don’t specifically work in a restaurant or hospitality.

“I’ve been reading a lot about listeriosis in the news recently and it’s got me worried. I’m not entirely sure what this is but I know it has something to do with contaminated food and it’s dangerous”

I’ll start by explaining what listeriosis is.

Listeriosis is a pretty rare infection caused by a bacteria known as listeria. But while it may be rare, this type of infection does have the potential to make someone dangerously ill. Listeria bacteria exist in the environment and can contaminate a variety of foods – but most commonly, ready-to-eat food.

Anyone who eats food contaminated by listeria can become ill.

For most people, listeria may only cause mild symptoms like an upset stomach and recovery can take just a few days.

But in others, it can lead to serious and life-threatening issues. This is more likely to be the case for someone who has a compromised immune system or is elderly. So your concern is valid if you work closely with a vulnerable group of people, like the elderly.

According to NHS guidance, the risk of listeria causing serious problems increases with age. So, elderly people would definitely fall into the high risk category.

“I work in a care home with vulnerable elderly residents and I want to make sure we’ve done everything we can to remove any risks. What can we do to make sure food contamination doesn’t happen?”

When it comes to your food prep, there are a few precautions you can take to reduce the risk of contamination.

First, make sure your food is correctly stored. That means making sure your fridges and freezers are set at the right temperatures to store food safely. You should store food in the fridge at a temperature of no higher than 5°C. After food deliveries, also make sure you put everything in the fridge as soon as possible. Don’t wait about.

I’m reeling off the standard food safety must-dos here but it’s essential to follow them.

It might sound obvious, but you need to have your basics covered. That means not giving out food that’s passed its expiration date and always follow storage instructions on the label.

When it comes to food that’s already open and there are no storage instructions, a safe rule of thumb is to get rid of it if no one eats it within two days.

Then there’s the hygiene side of things. Always make sure you regularly wash your hands before, during and after you prepare meals. And to prevent cross-contamination, keep raw and ready-to-eat foods separate.

It’s also important to be aware that some foods have a higher risk of causing listeriosis than others. The Food Standards Agency list the below as the ones you need to take extra care with:

• Fish – smoked fish, cooked shellfish, pate
• Meat – cooked meals / poultry, cured meat
• Cheeses – Softy blue veined cheese, mould-ripened soft cheeses
• Prepared foods – pre-packed sandwiches, prepared salads, some cut fruits

Hopefully, this document helps you Anon…

While it’s important that you have the information you need to enforce safe food standards in your workplace, your staff need to know it too.

That’s why having visible food hygiene posters can be really effective. You can put posters up in your kitchen where food is prepared, so your staff always have a reminder to take those important steps.

If you’d like a free food hygiene poster you can start using straight away, just tap below to get yours: