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The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations of 1996, established by the UK's Health and Safety Executive, mandate that commercial kitchens and catering establishments have safety signs and signals.
It says that, when additional safety precautions have been put in place, safety signs and signals are necessary anywhere there is a risk to employee safety. Signs must be visible, readable, and indicate forbidden behaviours, safety precautions, warn of dangers, or point to safety precautions such as fire exits or equipment for first aid or fire safety.
So, it is important to understand what the potential hazards are when it comes to food safety when working in a kitchen. Read on to learn what food contamination is, as well as what signs you can utilise to prevent it.
What is Food Contamination?
‘Food contamination’ refers to the spoiling or tainting of food by another food item or material, making it no longer suitable for consumption.
Contamination can occur at any point during the manufacturing process and anywhere the food is handled. The production and supply chain, however, are where the primary weaknesses reside.
Contamination could occur in a variety of circumstances, and even one incident could have long-lasting effects on your company. Food that has been tainted is not always clear. Food that’s been polluted with chemicals or germs, for instance, might not seem or taste any different from uncontaminated food. Therefore, correct safety procedures are key.
Types of Food Contamination
Chemical, physical, and biological contamination are the three primary types of food contamination.
Every food has a danger of becoming contaminated, increasing the likelihood that it may make someone ill. To prevent food contamination, it's critical to understand how it happens.
Chemical
Food that has been tainted by a chemical agent is referred to as having undergone chemical food contamination. Chemicals can readily contaminate food, despite the fact that they are highly useful for cleaning in the kitchen. To reduce the danger of contamination, chemicals must be properly labelled and stored away from food.
Biological
Food that has been tainted by biological agents, such as those produced by people, rodents, pests, or bacteria, is referred to as biologically contaminated food. This includes contamination from bacteria, viruses, or parasites that are spread through saliva, insect droppings, blood, or faeces.
The easiest strategy to prevent food poisoning from developing is to continue using the finest food safety procedures. These are particularly important as bacterial contamination is estimated to be the leading cause of food poisoning worldwide.
Physical
Food that has been physically contaminated means that it has come into contact with an outside substance at some part of the production process. These items have the potential to inflict harm to a person and may also include dangerous biological pollutants that lead to illness.
The distress felt by the person who finds something in their food is a further effect of physical food contaminants. The last thing you want to find in your food is things like plasters, fingernails, or pieces of cooking equipment.
Types of Food Contamination Warning Signs and Labels
If you operate in the catering industry, you may be wondering what indicators are necessary for your workplace in order to help avoid food contamination? You should take into account the following list of catering safety signs.
Hygiene Signs
Hygiene signs are important to put up in order to avoid any unhygienic practices when it comes to food prep, food storage, food washing and food cooking.
You should put up signs on your refrigerator and freezer, as well as warnings about:
- hand washing
- drinking and non-drinking water
- dangerous machines
- microwave oven safety
- And much more
Food Separation Signs
The likelihood of bacterial cross-contamination increases when raw food contacts or spills onto prepared food, utensils, or surfaces. This can be avoided with good hygiene practice.
It’s important to keep certain foods separate from each other, especially raw meat. This will avoid any cross contamination of bacteria such as salmonella. Clear signage will help dictate what foods can be prepared in a certain area, and which cannot.
PPE Signs
PPE has a special balancing act to play in the food manufacturing industry. Manufacturers have a responsibility to safeguard the food, as well as their employees. Utilising protective clothing effectively is essential for minimising worker injury and food contamination.
Having PPE signs up in the kitchen will warn and remind people to wear their PPE clothing when necessary.
Chemical Signs
Warning signs must be supplied if your catering company has any cleaning or first aid chemicals. Chemical signs serve to protect people from harm, as well as to inform and educate them.
Chemicals must be labelled clearly, and signs should be displayed telling people where they need to be stored i.e. in a cupboard away from any food to avoid any chemical contamination.
Help to Prevent Food Contamination with Label Source
At Label Source, we have a wide range of kitchen signs and labels to help you ensure your staff are working safely. They’re ISO EN 7010 and Safety Sign and Signal Regulations 1996 compliant. So, whether you need to kit out a canteen or restaurant, commercial kitchen or cookhouse, we have a sign for you. Take a look!
