Safety through the Food chain Flashcards
Topic 2
what is food safety?
-the concept where food will not harm the consumer so long as intended use guidelines are followed when it is prepared or eaten
what are 4 ways that the risk of food unsafety is managed?
-higher standards of pasteurisation, hygiene, improved storage and better use of pesticides
who’s responsibility is it to ensure food safety?
-people who are involved in;
-agri production
-processing
-transport
-food production
-consumption
what are the 3 food safety management schemes that food producers must follow?
-HACCP
-good manufacturing practice (GMO)
-good agricultural practice (GAP)
what are some of the pre-requisite programs that food producers must follow as well?
-staff training
-effective cleaning
-allergen control
-pest control
-testing programs
how can consumers ensure that the food they eat is safe?
-follow storage instructions
-follow cooking instructions
-checking expiration dates
-good personal and kitchen hygiene
what are the 9 steps of the food chain?
-production
-processing
-distribution
-restaurant/ restaurant preparation/ consumer
-retail/ home preparation/ home consumers
what are 3 of the advantages of the European food industry?
-part of a complex global supply chain
-provides fresh and affordable foods to consumers all year round
-for food producers it allows cost savings
what are the 3 disadvantages of the European food industry?
-challenges face to ensure food is sourced hygienically and safely
-longer supply chains increase transport times and increases risk of contamination
-food fraud which has resulted in serious public health concerns
what is food fraud? what company is attempting to tackle it and how?
-Food fraud is the illegal act of selling food products that are misrepresented or adulterated
-the European Commission has proposed an action plan to tackle food fraud
what is are the 6 roles of farmers to ensure food safety?
-ensure food safety at a farm level
-promote good Agri practices
-managing animals and animal feed
-control microbiological and chemical contaminants
-cooperate with DAERA
-increase consumer confidence
how do farmers ensure food safety at a farm level?
-responsibility to ensure food safety at farm level
-control initial hazards through promoting hygiene, animal welfare and safe/ environmental farming methods
how do farmers promote good Agri practices?
-ensure animal welfare which supports the safety of food
-must show traceability of purchases imported and exported from the farm, be able to trace vetinary medicines used to show dosage, date and withdrawal, occurrence of pests, trace any pesticides used
-records of any tests carried out e.g. by DAERA must be kept in records
how do farmers manage animals and animal feed?
-animal welfare ensure physical and psychological needs of animal are met
-regular vetinary visits must occur to help treat illness through vaccinations and parasite control, this prevents the spread of disease through entire herds which can cause profit loss for the farmer
-it also prevents the transfer of these disease to humans
-animal feed can be contaminated with harmful pathogens, toxins or pesticide residues which can endanger animal health
-feed must be nutritionally beneficial and stored and handled properly to prevent this
how do farmers prevent microbiological and chemical contamination to promote food safety?
-pathogen potential sources should be controlled by the farmer
-high standards of hygiene must be followed by farmers when operating/ cleaning machinery, vehicles
-concentration of manures must be monitored to prevent contamination by E.coli, salmonella, listeria and campylobacter
-concentration of chemical pesticides must be monitored and well as concentration of animal medicines
-low a dosage as possible of each so as not to compromise the food source
how do farmers cooperate with DAERA to promote food safety? how do DAERA support farmers?
-DAERA perform inspections, audits and regular tests to ensure that farms are safe to produce food
-they must follow legislation including, the Food Hygiene Regulations 2006 (enforces high standards of food production) and the Welfare of Animals Act 2001 (ensure humane treatment of animals)
-provide guidance for farmers on how to follow these food safety and animal welfare laws
-help farmers understand their critical role in ensuring food safety
how do farmers increase consumer confidence in relation to food safety?
-build consumer confidence by ensuring food is produced in a safe, ethical and traceable way
-Quality Assurance Systems help to increase consumer confidence e.g. Lion Eggs, Red Tractor and RSPCA
what are the ways that processing and manufacturing can ensure food safety?
-use Good Manufacturing Practices which cover all practices from receiving the raw material to final packaging
-develop a HACCP plan which identifies and controls potential hazards before they occur
-maintain clean facilities, employee hygiene and machinery
-use strict sanitation procedures and use food- safe cleaning agents
-ensure temperature control meaning food is processed and stored at the correct temperatures
-employee training to ensure all are trained in proper handwashing, avoiding cross contamination and know how to use the machinery properly
-packaging must also be used properly to maintain the foods shelf life
how can food safety be ensured through the distribution sector?
-this stage involves transporting products from farms to retail outlets
-maintaining cold chain for perishable items/ correct temperatures
-clean transport vehicles
-prevent cross contamination
-effective monitoring must occur to prevent spoilage of the product must be done throughout the journey of the product
-DAERA ensures food safety in transport through regulatory compliance using national food safety regulations, also mandate all vehicles to ensure they are properly cleaned
-the Sanitary Food Transport must be followed (2005) it involves everyone involved in the transport to ensure food safety at all times
-DAERA provide training for transporters to comply with the legislation, also carry out tests, inspections and audits
-finally they ensure proper documentation and traceability through requiring detailed records of temperature which allow also for accountability
how is food safety ensured at retail level?
-get guidance from the FSA
-ensure correct temperatures
-pest control measures
-staff training
-safe handling of food
-employee hygiene
-have a HACCP plan
-follow FSA safe catering guide
-FSA conduct inspections to ensure compliance with food safety laws
-EHP assess and give hygiene rating score
how is food safety ensured at food outlet level?
-hygiene and sanitation practices
-temperature controls/ record temperatures daily
-follow food safety regulations
-employee on hygiene practices e.g. handwashing, avoiding cross contamination and using protective clothing
-have inspections by local council
-this prevents the risk of unsafe food and foodborne diseases
how can consumers ensure food safety?
-proper handling e.g. washing hands before and after handling food
-avoiding cross contamination by using separate cutting boards/ utensils
-safe food storage through correct storage temperatures
-stored perishable foods in the fridge
-using air tight containers
-inspecting food before purchase
-using food hygiene rating schemes as guidance
-follow use by dates
-heat food thoroughly/ use food thermometers which ensures bacteria is killed
-report any concerns to relevant authorities
