If you work in the food industry, you must be aware of food contamination. You are responsible for the safety of your food’s consumers. Since everyone eats food, food contamination can be a pressing issue for anyone! As a newcomer, you might have questions, for instance, how food contamination occurs, what are the types of food contamination, and how can you, as a food worker, prevent contamination? To satisfy your quest, we have brought down a detailed analysis of contamination that you should know about. So, let’s dive down!

What is Food Contamination and How It Occurs?

All foods are at risk of becoming contaminated, which increases the chances of the food making someone sick. Food can become contaminated that’s why it is important to know why food safety software is essential. Contamination can occur at any point such as production, processing, distribution and preparation. There are three types of food contamination. Let’s understand it one by one!

1- Biological contamination occurs when substances produced by living creatures, such as humans, rodents, pests, or microorganisms. This includes contamination from bacteria, viruses or parasites transmitted through saliva, pest droppings, blood, or faecal matter.

• Bacterial contamination is thought to be the most common cause of food poisoning worldwide, and the best way to protect against it is by maintaining the best food safety practices. 

2- Chemical contamination occurs when contaminated by some type of chemical substance. Because chemicals can be very useful when cleaning the kitchen, they can easily contaminate food.

• Chemicals must be properly labelled and stored separately for foodstuff to minimize the risk of contamination. Some chemicals occur naturally in foods, like toxins in some fish, and in some cases, minimal chemical contamination might not lead to illness. However, the food handler must always be aware of the presence of chemicals in food and take all reasonable precautions to make sure that chemical contamination does not happen.

3- Physical contamination is a serious issue that has been contaminated by a foreign object at some stage of the production process. Objects like band-aids, fingernails, and pieces of cooking equipment can cause injuries to someone and may carry harmful biological contaminants that can lead to illness. 

• An additional consequence of physical contamination can upset the person who discovers the object. Finding such items in a meal is certainly undesirable.
  
  

What is the Best Way to Prevent Poor Food Safety?

Contamination of food is a serious concern in the food industry. Food workers play a crucial role in preventing such incidents. Awareness and vigilance are key components in safeguarding food safety. 

1. Food workers should be trained to recognize suspicious behaviour. This includes identifying individuals who may attempt to tamper with food products. 
2. Regular training sessions can enhance their ability to detect potential threats. Moreover, maintaining strict hygiene practices is essential. 
3. Food workers must adhere to stringent hand-washing protocols. Clean hands help prevent unintentional contamination, which can be exploited by malicious actors. 
4. Implementing strong security measures is also vital. Surveillance cameras should be installed in food preparation areas. These cameras act as a deterrent against potential contamination attempts.
5. Moreover, food workers should be encouraged to report any unusual occurrences. A clear reporting system enhances a culture of safety and accountability. Prompt reporting can lead to swift action and mitigate risks.
6. Food workers must ensure that all food products are properly labelled and stored. This reduces the chances of cross-contamination and makes it easier to trace products if contamination occurs. That’s why promoting a strong team environment is important to detect issues.
7. Open communication among staff about safety concerns can enhance overall vigilance. A united approach helps in identifying and addressing potential threats effectively. 

By implementing these practices, food workers can significantly reduce the risk of deliberate contamination as these are the best ways to prevent food safety. Their proactive engagement is essential in maintaining food safety and public trust.

How does Cross Contamination happen in Ready-to-Eat Foods?

Cross-contamination is the transfer of harmful germs to food from other foods, cutting boards, surface areas and utensils if they are not handled properly. This is especially true when handling raw meat, eggs, poultry and seafood. 

So keep these kinds of food and their juices away from ready-to-eat foods and fresh produce so that they can not contaminate the entire food. Cross-contamination can cause foodborne illnesses that can lead to stomach problems, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and even death. As food service workers, it is your responsibility to keep your food safe for consumption to prevent consumers from getting sick. 

1. Contamination occurred through direct contact when the raw chicken touched the ready-to-eat food. Ensure that raw meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood are kept away from ready-to-eat foods. 
2. Harmful bacteria from the raw poultry were transferred by an unclean cutting board and utensil. Use separate cutting boards, utensils, and equipment to prevent cross-contamination. 
3. Remember, gloves are not to keep your hands clean but to keep the food clean. The contamination occurred from handling ready-to-eat foods with the same gloves used to prep the raw chicken. 
4. Make sure to change your gloves if you are switching from a food with harmful bacteria to another food. 
5. When washing your hands, start by wetting them with clean running water. Then apply soap and create a lather by rubbing your hands together. Make sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your fingernails for a thorough clean.
6. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. You should still wash your hands after changing gloves. Not washing your hands after changing gloves can still spread bacteria. 
7. You should always clean and sanitize your work area because the surface area is also a point of cross-contamination. 
8. In summary, cross-contamination occurs when harmful bacteria from food transfer to another food through direct contact, cutting boards, surface areas, and utensils.

These are the best ways to prevent food safety. By following a few simple steps as you prepare and cook, you can greatly reduce your risk of food poisoning. Remember these four simple steps to prevent cross-contamination. Keep raw meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, and juices away from ready-to-eat foods. Practice good hand-washing whenever needed and utilize gloves correctly. Use separate equipment to prevent cross-contamination. And lastly, keep your work area clean and disinfect surfaces after use.

Conclusion 

Food contamination is a severe public health problem around the world, resulting in food-borne diseases that affect human beings every year. The contaminants are impurities that are either introduced by humans or occur naturally in water, air, soil etc. Thus, allowing food safety into your environment helps to bring hygiene which will help in avoiding severe health problems and build consumer trust in your organization.