Roles of Food Handlers in Food Safety
Interested in becoming a food handler? That’s a great career choice, but you also have to find out the roles you will play when it comes to food safety. Knowing these roles not only helps you perform them correctly, but you’ll realise why certain knowledge and skills matter in your career.
So, whether you are new to food service or are just exploring different paths you can take, here’s what you should know about the roles of food handlers in food safety.
Who’s a Food Handler?
A food handler is anyone who prepares, serves, moves, or stores food as part of their job. When working as a food handler, you will typically come into direct contact with packages or unpackaged food, food contact surfaces, and food utensils and equipment.
Some of the main roles that fall under this classification are:
- Servers
- Chefs
- Line cooks
- Bussers
- Cleaners
- Packers
- Concession stand workers
- Food delivery persons
- Bartenders/barbacks
- Managers and supervisors
Regardless of where you are working, you must maintain the highest standards of food safety to keep the consumers safe. This is one of the top reasons why your food handler certification is crucial. Ensure you take such courses from reputable institutions or professional education providers like RocketCert.
A top-of-the-range course will equip you with the knowledge and even skills required to prevent the contamination of food and the spread of foodborne illnesses.
So, What Will Your Roles in Food Safety Be?
While your responsibilities will vary depending on the situation and even the company you’re working for, you will have the primary duty to ensure that customers consume safe food. Here’s what your roles will involve in that regard:
1. Keeping Surfaces Clean to Avoid Cross-Contamination
Whether your work involves working in the kitchen, packing, or even delivering food items, you must keep the surfaces you’re working on clean to avoid cross-contamination. Often, this means utilising cleaning agents, using the right gear, and reminding your colleagues of the importance of keeping the surfaces where food is prepared, packed, or placed clean.
2. Following the Recommended Food Handling Guidelines
Different guidelines facilitate food safety and enhance your performance as a food handler, which is why it’s crucial to invest in the right training. In the kitchen, for instance, you will have cooking and reheating guidelines to ensure proper temperature control, thus preventing issues like bacterial growth and guaranteeing the overall quality of food.
3. Using and Promoting Proper Handling Procedures
Failing to utilise the right food handling procedures increases risks like bacterial contamination and transfer, typically leading to foodborne illnesses. In addition to the health risks, your business or the company you work for will have to deal with repercussions like loss of customers, lawsuits and fines, and even business closure.
4. Establishing Cleaning Rotas, Open and Close Checks, and Other Records
When working in a large business where food safety is a collective responsibility, you may take up the role of promoting maximum collaboration. This is especially common if you’re the head of a specific department. It’s crucial to ensure you have the required knowledge so you won’t struggle to guide your team.
Excel in Your Food Handling Roles
Whether you’re flipping burgers, washing dishes, or serving drinks, understanding your roles in enhancing the overall food safety of your business is crucial. And there’s quite a lot for you to learn in that case! Understand, however, that you must take a high-quality course if you want to get the best information.
This is where RocketCert comes in. Thanks to their expertly written and fully narrated online courses, you no longer have to struggle to learn about food safety!