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Cornucopia kor-nuh-KOH-pee-uh. noun - the horn of plenty, symbol of abundance

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Basic food hygiene, food storage and reheating tips

September 1, 2015 By Sandy

Wash and dry your hands thoroughly:           

  • before starting to cook
  • after handling raw food
  • after handling refuse, cleaning chemicals or equipment
  • after coughing sneezing or blowing your nose
  • after using the toilet
  • after eating, smoking etc

Be aware:                            

  • If you have any skin, nose, throat or stomach problems, you can contaminate food you are cooking for others.
  • Keeping cuts and sores covered and washing your hands properly can help limit any harmful microbes getting into your body or into your food
  • All hair can fall into food, especially long hair. Long hair can also get singed, so tie it back.
  • It is good practice to clean and wash up as you go.
  • Tea towels and dish cloths can carry microbes, make sure they are clean.
  • Aprons protect your cloths – it is easier to wash an apron and less upsetting to have them stained with fat than your favourite jeans.
  • Bins need to be emptied before they overflow. A covered bin is a friendlier bin!
  • Treat knives and other blades with respect! (Do not leave them in the washing up sink).

Storing food:          

  • Uncooked and cooked food must be prepared and stored separately.
  • All stored cooked or raw foods must be covered.
  • The danger zone for microbe growth is between 80C and 630
  • Chill foods as quickly and efficiently as possible (not in fridge or freezer).
  • Defrost foods in fridge, not at room temperature.

 Reheating in the oven:

  • Preheat your oven before placing the food inside.
  • The best position in the oven for reheating is the centre.
  • Ensure the container you place in the oven is suitable for the oven, place on a baking tray.
  • The colder the food the longer it will take to reheat (items should not be kept out of refrigerator prior to cooking)
  • The denser or thicker the food the longer it will take to reheat.
  • The greater the volume the longer it will take to reheat.
  • Do not reheat any food which is frozen or partially frozen.
  • If you wish to reheat food which has previously been frozen, ensure you defrost the item thoroughly in the refrigerator – allow enough time. Do not reheat previously reheated food!

Reheating in a microwave:

  • Ensure you use the correct heat setting for the food being reheated.
  • Check that the container is microwave friendly
  • The colder the food the longer it will take to reheat (items should not be kept out of refrigerator prior to cooking)
  • The denser or thicker the food the longer it will take to reheat.
  • The greater the volume the longer it will take to reheat.
  • Do not reheat any food which is frozen or partially frozen.
  • If you wish to reheat food which has previously been frozen, ensure you defrost the item thoroughly in the refrigerator – allow enough time. Do not reheat previously reheated food!

Filed Under: Tips and information

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