How to keep your ingredients safe and fresh

Having an efficient commercial refrigerator is the first step to good food storage. But, as with many things, how you use it makes all the difference.

Following food safety guidelines is crucial. Poorly stored food has a far higher risk of going bad or spoiling. If you don’t store your food correctly, you run the risk of exposing your customers to dangerous bacteria, which can destroy your business.

The rules surrounding food storage are there to keep people safe, and they must be adhered to at all times. As the owner or manager of a food business, you must ensure that all your staff are trained properly, and understand the importance of safe food storage.

Critical temperatures

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) states that all cold food must be kept at 8°C or below. This is a legal requirement. Generally, commercial refrigeration is set at around 5°C, which will keep it below the danger zone of 8°C - 63°C, is the temperature at which bacteria grows.

In practice, different foods are best kept at different temperatures, as there’s a vast difference between a carrot and a steak. Fresh fruit and veg are best at 8°C, while meat is best at about 3°C. Fish should always be kept in a separate, dedicated fish fridge, as it will pass its smell onto other produce. It’s best kept at 0°C or just above. If it’s kept in the same fridge as other foods, it must be on the bottom shelf to prevent cross-contamination.

Dairy products and desserts are best stored at between 2°C and 4°C.

Good food storage

As you can see, different food groups require different temperature settings. This can be problematic if you keep all your ingredients together in one fridge. If you have separate fridges for different food groups, then it’s easy to prevent cross-contamination and keep each food group at the ideal temperature. If you keep the different food groups together (for example, in a cold room), then make sure that they’re kept in distinctive labelled areas, with air gaps between the different food groups to prevent any contamination. Always follow food safety rules such as ‘First-in, First-out’, for good food management. Make sure all your staff understand and follow the rules, such as, if new food is placed at the back, and used from the front, ensure the new produce is stacked correctly on arrival and that everyone understands the process.

Check that temperature

Commercial refrigeration temperature should be checked regularly and recorded. If you have any concerns about your refrigeration, for example, you hear it making an odd noise, then check the temperature more frequently. Fluctuating temperatures will reduce the quality of your food, and must be addressed quickly. Humidity can also affect food quality, so it’s worth monitoring this also. Your commercial refrigerator should be regularly serviced and maintained so you can rest assured that it’s operating correctly. If your refrigerator breaks down, and you’re unsure about the quality of the food inside, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and throw the food away, rather than risk using it.

Train your staff

If you set up good food safety rules in your business but no one follows them, they’re of no use. You must train your staff properly when they join your business, and make sure they understand exactly what they’re doing and why food safety is so important. Ensure you document the training and that your business is up to date on any mandatory training. Everyone must understand and follow the same procedures, so be very clear about what these are. Simple things like not leaving the fridge door open for a long time, or what to do in the event of a fridge breakdown will provide good guidance for your team.

How can Fridgesmart help?

Here at Fridgesmart, all our commercial refrigerators are designed and manufactured to the highest standard, so you can be confident that your chosen refrigerator will keep your food safe and fresh. We know that all businesses are different, and because of this, we have an excellent range of refrigeration units to suit all sizes, styles and budgets. Whatever refrigeration system you’re looking for, from behind-the-scenes storage refrigeration to front-of-house display refrigeration, we can help. If you’re unsure of the best refrigerator for your business, we’re always here to discuss this with you. Our experienced, friendly and helpful team are happy to help. Call us on 0115 941 3640.