Tag: Meat
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Temperature control – Cooking meat and poultry
Most bacteria will not survive at temperatures above 70°C (160°F). This is why food must be cooked or reheated thoroughly. The temperature must be reached throughout the food and maintained for several minutes. Bacteria on meat are usually on the surface and easily killed by cooking. However, in a rolled joint or in minced meat…
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Colour Coding
The previous article looked at equipment to food contamination and suggested using separate equipment and utensils for raw and cooked foods. Colour coding is one way to achieve this. Most commercial kitchens use colour coded chopping boards, and even colour coded knives, cloths, etc. Here’s a table of the most usual colour coding system. Colour…
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Prevent Cross-Contamination
Here are some rules to prevent cross-contamination of food. Identify separate parts of the work area for dealing with raw meat and poultry and foods which will be eaten without being subjected to any further cooking This isn’t always feasible in a domestic environment, in which case you could use separate chopping boards for raw…
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Kitchen Cloths
Wiping cloths can pick up bacteria when used to clean work surfaces and equipment. Once a cloth has bacteria on it the bacteria can easily be transferred to other surfaces or equipment. The danger arises particularly when the cloth has been used for wiping areas where raw meat and poultry have been prepared and then…
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Personal Hygiene – Hands
The following rules apply to food handlers in a public or commercial environment. However, there’s no reason why every cook shouldn’t follow them at home too. Bacteria live in and on your body and you can transfer them to food if you don’t maintain a high standard of personal hygiene. One of the easiest ways…
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Clostridium perfringens
Clostridium perfringens is found in virtually all soils, except those of the Sahara desert. It’s one of those nasty spore-forming bacteria which are hard to destroy, and is most commonly a cause of food poisoning where meat or poultry dishes have been left to cool slowly. It’s particularly associated with gravy, pies and large joints…