Food safety is a scientific discipline describing handling, preparation, and storage of food in ways that prevent food borne illness. This includes a number of routines that should be followed to avoid potentially severe health hazards. Food can transmit disease from person to person as well as serve as a growth medium for bacteria that can cause food poisoning.

Basic Food Safety includes...

• Understanding the hazards associated with the main types of food and the conditions to prevent the growth of bacteria which can cause food poisoning
• The problems associated with product packaging such as leaks in vacuum packs, damage to packaging or pest infestation, as well as problems and diseases spread by pests.
• Safe Food handling. This includes safe procedures for each process such as receiving, re-packing, food storage, preparation and cooking, cooling and re-heating, and the causes of cross contamination.
• Catering for individuals who are particularly at risk of food-borne illness, including allergies and intolerance.
• Correct cleaning and sanitizing procedures, cleaning products and their correct use, and the storage of cleaning items such as brushes, mops and cloths.
• Personal hygiene, hand washing, illness, and protective clothing.