OUDTSHOORN NEWS - Food safety is one of the nine key performance areas of Municipal Health and Environmental Services, which forms part of the Directorate Community Services at Eden District Municipality.
Food safety includes the monitoring of food premises and safe handling of food at formal and informal food premises. An important part of food safety is the training of staff who handle food.
Food safety training was recently presented to food handlers of formal and informal food premises in Oudtshoorn. Environmental Health Practitioners Francois Koelman, ms Elizna Barnard and Pieter Crous of Oudtshoorn Municipal Health office presented the training.
The focus of the training included the World Health Organisation's key elements for safer food which should also be applied in homes:
• Keep clean by washing hands, sanitise surfaces and equipment and protect kitchen areas from insects, pests and other animals
• Keep raw and cooked foods apart and use separate equipment, utensils and containers for raw food
• Cook food, especially meat, poultry, eggs and seafood, thoroughly
• Keep food at safe temperatures.
• Use safe water and raw materials
• Select fresh and wholesome foods
• Choose foods processed for safety, such as pasteurized milk
• Wash fruits and vegetables, especially if eaten raw
• Do not use food beyond its expiry date
A Certificate of Attendance was issued to those who received training and informal food traders also received incentives, which included cooler boxes and aprons.
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