Top Tips on Food Handling | Food Handling Certificate

 

Health, hygiene and safety are very important when handling food so get your food handling certificate...

There are certain requirements and laws that relate to the handling of food in Sydney that are regulated by the NSW Food Authority. Whether you’re new to the hospitality industry, an old kitchen hand, skilled warehouse assistant or seasoned sous chef, you have an important responsibility to handle food in a hygienic, healthy and safe manner. Obtaining a food handling certificate is a great way to understand the requirements.

Here are Infront Staffing’s top tips on food handling in NSW.

Serving prepared food
There are certain procedures that need to be followed when serving prepared food. Some food handling tips include:

  • Do not handle food if you are ill with vomiting, diarrhoea or have a fever or your doctor has diagnosed that you have or carry a food borne illness.
  • Avoid handling food directly when serving ready to eat foods such as a buffet or salads; instead use food use tongs or other implements. 
  • Wash your hands before handing food and after going to the bathroom, handling money or blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing.
  • Tie hair back and avoid wearing jewellery, false nails or other items that might fall accidentally into food.

Cooking food
There are additional requirements for Infront Staffing who are handling raw food and/or cooking food. Some food handling tips include:

  • Hands need to be washed between handling raw food and food that is ready to eat, such as cooked food and salads to avoid cross contamination.
  • Thoroughly clean, sanitise and dry cooking tools and utensils after using them and if possible use separate tools and utensils for raw foods and ready-to-eat foods. 
  • Wear clean clothes, apron and, where practicable, protective food handling gloves and use food handling tongs to minimise direct contact with food.
  • In addition to tying your hair back, wear a hair net or cap.

Packing prepared food
Packing prepared food in take away or food containers is also subject to strict hygiene and health regulations. As well as the previous health and hygienic requirements, here are additional food handling tips to packing prepared food:

  • Hands need to be washed before handling food or after handling rubbish and other waste. 
  • In addition to a tying hair back and wearing a hair net or cap, disposable gloves can also be used as an additional protective measure. Gloves should be changed when switching between raw and ready-to-eat food. 
  • Wash and sanitise containers before using them.
  • Store food in clean, non-toxic, food storage containers large enough and strong enough to hold the food. 
  • Do not re-use containers that are only meant to be used once and thrown away.

These important food handling tips are more than just food for thought. Proper handling of food is important not only to your customer’s health but also the health and reputation of the company and the food industry in NSW. Incorrect food handling can also cost you your job! So take these food handling tips seriously and enjoy a long career in the hospitality industry. Holding a food handling certificate will demonstate to an employer that you have a vested interest in staying current and up to date in this area.

Infront Staffing, an accredited Registered Training Organisation (RTO Provider No: 91376), will be running Food Handling Courses and Food Hygiene Training in Sydney shortly. Contact us for further information and training dates. 

Infront Staffing is a leader in the provision of warehousing, logistics and supply chain recruitment , contract labour hire, green card training and container pack and unpack services ; we understand in detail the nature of these key areas of your business and your need for reliable, quality staff. We also specialise in delivering Green Card / White Card Training & OH&S training courses for the construction and building industry as well as forklift training courses and traffic control courses. We provide training courses for the hospitality industry and cover RSA courses and RCG courses. Make an Online Enquiry or Contact Us today.