Stepping into Management Knowledge

Food Safety Training

3.17

Maintaining the Correct Freezer Temperature ASK QUESTION TO GROUP: What temperature must the freezers operate at? CONFIRM CORRECT ANSWER:  Correct temperature is in the range at or below -18 o C  Ice cream conservator must operate at -12°c or below – ice cream should not be kept in these units for more than one week ASK QUESTION TO GROUP: What can we do to make sure the freezers are running at the correct temperature? CONFIRM CORRECT ANSWER:  Check and record on the Fridge and Freezer Temperature record, the air temperature of all freezers daily using the digital display or internal thermometer  Do not overload freezers or block the fan ASK QUESTION TO GROUP: How often should temperatures of fridges be taken? CONFIRM CORRECT ANSWER:  Daily – one check in the morning first thing before food service starts and before 11 am and the other after 5pm  Every Monday morning using the sanitised probe, check and record in the Fridge and Freezer Temperature record the temperature of a food product in a box in each freezer, if the temperature is of the product is above -18 o c or there is a difference between the displayed temperature or the internal thermometer follow the Freezer Temperature Monitoring Decision Tree ASK QUESTION TO GROUP: What can happen if the freezer does not operate blow -18 o c? CONFIRM CORRECT ANSWER:  Food will defrost  Potential of Bacterial growth  Deterioration of food quality  Loss of stock – wastage ASK QUESTION TO GROUP: What must you do if you discover that the Freezer is operating above -18 o c? CONFIRM CORRECT ANSWER:  Use Freezer Temperature Monitoring Decision Tree to get to the answer, which will include-  Inform your Manager immediately and an engineer must be called  Probe and record stock to ensure it is still within temperature and if it isn’t place in a chiller to defrost in the normal way  Do not refreeze any food that is above -15 o c  Record all actions on the Fridge and Freezer Temperature record ASK QUESTION TO GROUP: What else should be checked in relation to the correct storage of food in a freezer? CONFIRM CORRECT ANSWERS:  There is no food past the ‘Best Before’ date, food should not be stored for more than 3 months  That food is stored in date code order, i.e.: First in, first out.  No food is stored on the floor  The door seals are not damaged  That the freezer is clean both inside and outside Ensure the Group know how to correctly complete the Fridges and Freezer Temperature record by allowing them to complete the check. Manager to record the training

Safety Assurance March 2016

Food Safety 3.17