As schools start a new academic year, food safety in school kitchens and cafeterias is a critical priority.
With an estimated 29 million children in the UK eating school meals daily, ensuring that these meals are safe and nutritious is essential to protect against foodborne illnesses and foster a healthy learning environment.
Proper food storage
Schools must ensure that all food items are stored at appropriate temperatures to prevent bacterial growth. For instance, around 66% of all foodborne illnesses are attributed to improper food storage and handling.
Refrigerators and freezers should be regularly monitored, with temperatures kept at or below 5°C for refrigerators and -18°C or lower for freezers. Dry goods should be stored in cool, dry places, and all food should be kept off the floor to avoid contamination.
Regular cleaning and sanitisation
Cleanliness is non-negotiable in food preparation areas. According to research, almost 15% of food poisoning cases in the UK can be traced back to inadequate cleaning practices.
School kitchens and dining areas must be cleaned and sanitised regularly, including wiping down surfaces, cleaning utensils and equipment, and ensuring that all food preparation areas are free from dirt and bacteria.
Safe food handling practices
Staff should be trained in safe food handling practices, including washing hands before and after handling food, wearing gloves, and avoiding cross-contamination by using separate utensils for raw and cooked foods.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommends cooking food to at least 75°C to kill harmful bacteria. Ensuring adherence to these standards is crucial in school settings.
Regular staff training
Continuous training for kitchen staff is essential to maintain high food safety standards. A study found that at least 28% of food workers had not received adequate food safety training, leading to a higher risk of contamination.
Regular refresher courses can help keep food safety at the top of priorities and ensure that staff are up-to-date with the latest food safety regulations.
Allergen management
With around 20% of severe allergic reactions to food happening whilst a child is at school, schools must be vigilant in managing food allergens. All food items should be clearly labelled, and staff should be aware of students with specific dietary needs.
Proper procedures should be in place to prevent cross-contact with allergens during food preparation.
Hubl’s allergen matrix helps keep track of ingredients used in every dish and allows staff to filter out the safe dishes that children can eat if they have an allergy.
Monitoring food safety in schools by keeping records
Traditional paper-based recording systems can be cumbersome and prone to errors. This is where digital tools like the Hubl can revolutionise food safety management in schools.
Hubl provides an efficient and reliable way to record and monitor all aspects of food safety, from temperature checks to cleaning schedules.
This digital record-keeping simplifies the process of demonstrating due diligence during inspections, which is critical as schools are expected to maintain detailed records for food safety inspections.
Ensuring food safety in schools is a vital responsibility that requires diligence, proper training, and the right tools.
By following essential food safety tips and integrating a digital food recording app like Hubl into daily operations, schools can greatly enhance their food safety standards, ensuring a healthy environment for students and staff alike.
As the new school year begins, adopting these practices will help schools stay ahead of food safety challenges, ensuring that every meal served is safe and nutritious.
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