Which Activity Helps Prevent Food Contamination ServSafe?

Food Contamination: An Overview

Food contamination is a serious issue that can cause illness, even death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 48 million people in the United States get sick from foodborne illnesses each year, and 3,000 of those people die. Food contamination can occur at any point in the food production process, from the farm to the table.

There are a number of things that can contaminate food, including:

• Bacteria: Bacteria are the most common cause of foodborne illness. They can be found in soil, water, and on animals.
• Viruses: Viruses can also cause foodborne illness. They are typically transmitted through contact with infected people or animals.
• Parasites: Parasites can also contaminate food. They are typically found in contaminated water or soil.
• Chemicals: Chemicals can contaminate food if they are not properly stored or used.
• Physical hazards: Physical hazards, such as pieces of glass or metal, can also contaminate food.

Food contamination can be prevented by following good food safety practices. These practices include:

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water.
• Cooking food to the proper temperature.
• Refrigerating food promptly.
• Properly handling and storing food.

By following these simple practices, you can help prevent food contamination and keep yourself and your family safe from foodborne illness.

Activity	How it Helps Prevent Food Contamination	Example
Washing hands	Removes bacteria and other harmful microorganisms from hands	Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food
Sanitizing surfaces	Kills bacteria and other harmful microorganisms on surfaces	Using a bleach solution to sanitize countertops, cutting boards, and other surfaces that come into contact with food
Cooking food to the proper temperature	Kills bacteria and other harmful microorganisms in food	Cooking chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit
Refrigerating food properly	Slows the growth of bacteria and other harmful microorganisms in food	Refrigerating food within two hours of cooking or purchasing

Personal Hygiene

Personal hygiene is one of the most important ways to prevent food contamination. When food handlers practice good personal hygiene, they can help to keep food safe by preventing the spread of harmful bacteria.

Handwashing

Handwashing is the single most important thing that food handlers can do to prevent the spread of foodborne illness. Food handlers should wash their hands:

• Before and after handling food
• After using the restroom
• After coughing or sneezing
• After touching their hair, face, or clothing
• After handling raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs
• After cleaning up spills

Food handlers should wash their hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. They should rinse their hands thoroughly and dry them with a clean towel.

Wearing clean clothes

Food handlers should wear clean clothes that cover their entire body. This helps to prevent the spread of bacteria from their clothing to food. Food handlers should change their clothes if they become dirty or wet.

Covering hair and wounds

Food handlers should cover their hair and any open wounds with a hat, cap, or beard net. This helps to prevent the spread of bacteria from their hair or wounds to food.

Avoiding contact with bodily fluids

Food handlers should avoid contact with their bodily fluids, such as saliva, sweat, and tears. This helps to prevent the spread of bacteria from their bodily fluids to food.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

In addition to practicing good personal hygiene, food handlers must also clean and sanitize their work areas and equipment regularly. Cleaning removes dirt and food debris, while sanitizing kills harmful bacteria.

Cleaning surfaces

Food handlers should clean surfaces that come into contact with food, such as countertops, tables, and utensils. They should use a detergent or soap and warm water to clean surfaces.

Sanitizing surfaces

After cleaning surfaces, food handlers should sanitize them with a food-grade sanitizer. Food-grade sanitizers are available in liquid, spray, and wipe form. Food handlers should follow the manufacturer’s instructions for using the sanitizer.

Cleaning and sanitizing equipment

Food handlers should clean and sanitize all equipment that comes into contact with food, such as knives, cutting boards, and mixers. They should use a detergent or soap and warm water to clean equipment. After cleaning, they should sanitize the equipment with a food-grade sanitizer.

Cleaning and sanitizing food contact surfaces

Food contact surfaces are surfaces that come into direct contact with food, such as plates, bowls, and cups. Food handlers should clean and sanitize food contact surfaces after each use. They should use a detergent or soap and warm water to clean food contact surfaces. After cleaning, they should sanitize the surfaces with a food-grade sanitizer.

By practicing good personal hygiene and cleaning and sanitizing their work areas and equipment, food handlers can help to prevent the spread of foodborne illness. By following these simple steps, food handlers can help to keep food safe for everyone.

Additional Resources

• [Food Safety Basics: Personal Hygiene](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/personal-hygiene)
• [Food Safety Basics: Cleaning and Sanitizing](https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/cleaning-and-sanitizing)
• [Food Safety for Food Handlers](https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-basics/food-safety-food-handlers)

3. Preventing Cross-Contamination

Cross-contamination occurs when bacteria from one food is transferred to another food. This can happen when you:

• Use the same utensils for raw and cooked foods without washing them in between
• Touch raw meat and then touch other foods without washing your hands
• Cook food on a surface that has been contaminated with raw meat
• Store cooked food on a plate that has been used for raw meat

To prevent cross-contamination, you should:

• Separate raw and cooked foods. Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs away from other foods. Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw and cooked foods.
• Wash your hands before and after handling food. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after handling raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs.
• Cook food to the proper temperature. Cook meat, poultry, and seafood to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook eggs until the yolk is firm.
• Chill food properly. Refrigerate perishable foods within two hours of cooking or purchasing them. Freeze perishable foods that will not be eaten within two days.

4. Proper Storage

Proper storage can help to prevent food from becoming contaminated and spoiling. To store food properly, you should:

• Store food in clean, dry containers. Food should be stored in containers that are clean and dry. This will help to prevent the growth of bacteria.
• Store food at the proper temperature. Food should be stored at the proper temperature to prevent the growth of bacteria. Refrigerators should be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, and freezers should be kept at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
• Rotate food in your refrigerator so that the oldest food is used first. The oldest food should be used first so that it does not spoil.

By following these tips, you can help to prevent food contamination and keep your family safe from foodborne illness.

Food contamination can be a serious problem, but it can be prevented by following simple steps. By washing your hands, separating raw and cooked foods, cooking food to the proper temperature, and storing food properly, you can help to keep your family safe from foodborne illness.

Which Activity Helps Prevent Food Contamination Servsafe?

• Answer: There are many activities that can help prevent food contamination, but some of the most important include:
• Washing your hands frequently and thoroughly. This is the single most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of foodborne illness. Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food, after using the bathroom, and after coughing or sneezing.
• Keeping food clean and properly stored. Food should be stored at safe temperatures to prevent the growth of bacteria. Cooked food should be kept hot (above 140 degrees Fahrenheit) and cold food should be kept cold (below 40 degrees Fahrenheit). Raw meat, poultry, and seafood should be kept separate from other foods to prevent cross-contamination.
• Properly cooking food. All food must be cooked to a safe internal temperature to kill harmful bacteria. The safe internal temperature for cooked ground beef is 160 degrees Fahrenheit, for poultry is 165 degrees Fahrenheit, and for fish is 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Refrigerating leftovers promptly. Leftover food should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking.
• Thawing food properly. Frozen food should be thawed in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave. Never thaw food at room temperature.
• Preventing pests from entering your home. Pests can carry harmful bacteria and can contaminate food. Keep your home free of pests by sealing cracks and holes, cleaning up food spills, and storing food in sealed containers.

By following these simple steps, you can help prevent food contamination and keep yourself and your family safe from foodborne illness.

there are many different activities that can help prevent food contamination. These include proper handwashing, cooking food to the correct temperature, and storing food properly. By following these simple steps, you can help to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from foodborne illness.

Here are some key takeaways from the content:

• Handwashing is the single most important step in preventing food contamination.
• Cook food to the correct temperature to kill harmful bacteria.
• Store food properly to prevent the growth of bacteria.
• Be aware of food allergies and foodborne illnesses.
• Practice safe food handling habits at home and in the workplace.

By following these tips, you can help to keep your food safe and prevent foodborne illness.