Commercial Kitchen Supplies

How to Prevent Cross-Contamination

Cross-contamination occurs when harmful bacteria is transferred to foods, which can result in serious health risks like food poisoning or unintended exposure to food allergens. If your kitchen staff members know how to prevent cross-contamination by correctly storing and preparing food, you can save the time and money that would be wasted on improperly handled food. By making the effort to separate your foods while storing and preparing them, sanitizing your kitchen surfaces and equipment , and practicing proper personal hygiene, you can create a kitchen environment that follows food safety guidelines . What is Cross-Contamination? Cross-contamination occurs when disease-causing microorganisms, like bacteria and viruses, are transferred from one food to another. As a result, cross-contamination is one of the leading causes of foodborne illnes. Cross-contact is most frequently caused by unwashed cutting boards, hands, or kitchen tools like knives and tongs. While cooking to food-safe temperatures will kill dangerous bacteria, most food contamination happens when the bacteria from a raw food item interacts with food that doesn't need to be cooked. How to Prevent Foodborne Illness You can best prevent foodborne illness by being aware of the risk for contamination in each step of your food preparation process. It is possible to contaminate food before it is prepared, during preparation, and even when food is served to your customer. Implementing a HACCP program , or Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points program, will help you to identify and control contamination risks. Teaching all of your staff how to prevent cross-contamination can help your food stay safe from the moment it arrives in your kitchen to its delivery at your guests' tables. By requiring your kitchen staff to obtain food handling certification or food handler's permits, you can further ensure that your kitchen is a safe and sanitary environment. Preventing Cross-Contamination through Food Storage Y

How to Clean a Cutting Board

Found in almost all commercial kitchens, cutting boards are one of the most commonly used tools for preparing food . Understanding how to properly care for these boards will not only increase their lifespan, but appropriate care also prevents bacteria from spreading and causing dangerous cross-contamination. Whether you run a small bistro, fast food restaurant, or upscale steakhouse, understanding how to clean and maintain your cutting boards is key to having a safe and sanitary foodservice operation. From wood to plastic, keep reading to learn how to clean your cutting board. You can also jump to a specific cutting board type below: Wood Bamboo Rubber Composite Flexible Plastic How to Clean Wood Cutting Boards Wood Cutting Boards from $7.79 Wooden cutting boards have naturally porous surfaces that can harbor bacteria. Tiny cuts or grooves made on their surfaces also provide a natural habitat for bacteria to grow, which makes cleaning wooden cutting boards extremely important to prevent cross-contamination. There are several methods used for cleaning wood cutting boards including soap and water, vinegar, and bleach. Soap and Water : Hand wash the board immediately after use with water and dish soap. Pat the board dry with a paper towel or clean dishtowel immediately after cleaning. Vinegar : Pour vinegar all over the surface of your board. Wipe down with a clean, wet cloth. Using vinegar is not recommended for cutting boards used with raw meat, fish, or poultry. Bleach : Create a mixture of 1 tsp. of bleach for every 1 quart of water. Pour the mixture over the board and rinse thoroughly with hot water. Because moisture absorption can cause splintering and warping of the wood as well as encourage rapid bacteria growth, never submerge your wood cutting board under water or clean it in the dishwasher. How to Maintain Wood Cutting Boards Seasoning your board can extend its life and prevent warps and cracks from forming. Depending on how often you use your wooden cutting