What are the 4 Cs of food safety?

Food safety is vital for many industries but incredibly significant in the food and hospitality sector, as it can help to prevent consumers from foodborne diseases or injuries relating to food consumption. At Strip Curtains Direct, we provide various solutions for maintaining optimal food safety standards, including our antimicrobial PVC strip curtains.

If you own or operate a food business, you must ensure that your working methods provide good food hygiene, which is where the 4 Cs come in. You can use the 4 Cs to prevent the most common food safety problems.

Overview of food safety

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently released data that estimated that at least 600 million people worldwide become inflicted with foodborne illnesses after consuming unsanitary food, with at least 420,000 people dying yearly.

Most food safety issues are caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria, that cause food poisoning or intoxication, which can cause mild to fatal health consequences. Unsafe food may also be deemed unfit for consumption and must be disposed of, which could cost you money and even cause business closure.

This is why it's essential to have adequate measures and guidelines to prevent contamination and ensure food safety.

The 4 Cs of food safety

1. Cleaning

Proper cleaning procedures are vital in food-handling areas as they can help remove bacteria on hands, equipment and surfaces, which prevents them from spreading onto food. Strip Curtains Direct can help you maintain a clean and hygienic environment by using antimicrobial PVC strip curtains to help prevent the spread of contaminants.

These high-quality PVC strip curtains are manufactured using antimicrobial technology, actively killing bacteria such as E.coli, MRSA and Salmonella and preventing biofilm, fungi and mould growth.

2. Cooking

Undercooked food can cause food poisoning, so thorough cooking is essential as it kills harmful bacteria and pathogens. One of the most important things to do is to follow recommended cooking temperatures and times to ensure food is safe for consumption.

3. Cross-contamination

Cross-contamination is when bacteria are spread between equipment, food or surfaces, and it tends to happen when raw food touches or drips onto equipment, surfaces or ready-to-eat food. Therefore, food businesses must separate raw and cooked food, use different utensils and cutting boards, and maintain proper storage practices.

 Strip Curtain Direct's transparent strip curtains can create a physical barrier that can help prevent cross-contamination in food processing and storage areas.

 4. Chilling

Food must also be adequately chilled to help prevent harmful bacteria from growing, especially food with use-by dates, cooked dishes and other ready-to-eat food. There is a legal requirement in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that cold food is kept at 8°c or below, so you should check fridges and display units regularly to ensure they are cold enough.

 Strip Curtain Direct's insulated strip curtains are ideal for maintaining temperature zones and reducing energy costs in refrigerated areas.

We have a range of customisable solutions for creating safe and controlled environmentsto support food safety practices. You should prioritise food safety by implementing the recommended procedures of the 4 Cs and using solutions from Strip Curtains Direct to maintain optimal food safety standards.