It is important to handle frozen food safely and to take care when freezing food. It is also very important that food is defrosted properly, to prevent harmful bacteria from growing.
Freezing Food
Your actions:
1. Keep a log of events if things go wrong, what did you do?
2. Check your freezer is in full working order and that it is being regularly serviced.
3. Organise your freezers so there is more space and they are kept closed as much as possible.
4. Train your team.
Defrosting:
Options for defrosting food:
- Plan ahead and leave enough time and space to defrost small amounts of food in the fridge.
- If you can not defrost food in the fridge, put it into a container with a lid and place under cold running water.
- Defrost food in the microwave on the defrost setting.
- Food can also be defrosted at room temperature.
For more information on defrosting food safely, click here.
Your actions:
1. Keep a log of events if things go wrong, what did you do?
2. Review your defrosting methods to ensure they are working properly.
3. Plan in enough time to defrost either ingredients or complete dishes.
4. Train your teams.
