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Hot Food Drop-In Well Operation & Care Manual • 14
Food avor and aroma are usually so closely related that
it is dif cult, if not impossible, to separate them. There
is also an important, inseparable relationship between
cleanliness and food avor. Cleanliness, top operating
ef ciency, and appearance of equipment contribute
considerably to savory, appetizing foods. Good equipment
that is kept clean, works better and lasts longer.
Most food imparts its own particular aroma and many
foods also absorb existing odors. Unfortunately, during
this absorption there is not distinction between GOOD
and BAD odors The majority of objectionable avors and
odors troubling food service operations are caused by
bacteria growth. Sourness, rancidity, mustiness, stale or
other OFF avors are usually the result of germ activity.
The easiest way to insure full, natural food avor is
through comprehensive cleanliness. This means good
control of both visible soil (dirt) and invisible soil
(germs). A through approach to sanitation will provide
essential cleanliness. It will assure an attractive
appearance of equipment, along with maximum ef ciency
and utility. More importantly, a good sanitation program
provides one of the key elements in the prevention of
food-borne illnesses.
A controlled holding environment for prepared foods is
just one of the important factors involved in the prevention
of food-borne illnesses. Temperature monitoring and
control during receiving, storage, preparation, and the
service of foods are of equal importance.
The most accurate method of measuring safe temperatures
of both hot and cold foods is by internal product
temperature. A quality thermometer is an effective tool for
this purpose, and should be routinely used on all products
that require holding at a speci c temperature.
A comprehensive sanitation program should focus on
the training of staff in basic sanitation procedures. This
includes personal hygiene, proper handling of raw foods,
cooking to a safe internal product temperature, nd the
routine monitoring of internal temperatures from receiving
through service.
Most food-borne illnesses can be prevented through
proper temperature control and a comprehensive
program of sanitation. Both these factors are important
to build quality service as the foundation of customer
satisfaction. Safe food handling practices to prevent food-
borne illness is of critical importance to the health and
safety of your customers.
HACCP, an acronym for Hazard Analysis (at) Critical
Control Points, is a quality control program of operating
procedures to assure food integrity, quality, and safety.
Taking steps necessary to augment food safety practices
is both cost effective and relatively simple. While HACCP
guidelines go far beyond the scope of this manual,
additional information is available by contacting:
CENTER FOR FOOD SAFETY AND APPLIED
NUTRITION FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
1-888-SAFEFOOD
INTERNAL FOOD PRODUCT TEMPERATURES
HOT FOODS
DANGER ZONE 40° TO 140°F (4° TO 60°C)
CRITICAL ZONE 70° TO 120°F (21° TO 49°C)
SAFE ZONE 140° TO 165°F (60° TO 74°C)
COLD FOODS
DANGER ZONE ABOVE 40°F (ABOVE 4°C)
SAFE ZONE 36° TO 40°F (2° TO 4°C)
FROZEN FOODS
DANGER ZONE ABOVE 32°F (ABOVE 0°C)
CRITICAL ZONE 0° TO 32°F (-18° TO 0°C)
SAFE ZONE 0°F or below (-18°C or below)
SANITATION