Foodborne illnesses occur from consuming contaminated food and beverages. There’s a variety of disease-causing microbes and pathogens that contaminate food supply. It’s even harder to prevent food truck-borne illnesses from occurring because the process entails serving perishable foods on the go.
Following safe practices for driving a refrigerated truck means knowing how to effectively operate the vehicle and maintain the perishable goods inside of it. Learn about the standard health and safety practices used to prevent food truck-borne illnesses and ensure hygienic food truck service for customers.
1. Routine Cleaning
Mandate cleaning procedures for utensils, boards, and other work surfaces. Get into the habit of washing your hands for 20 seconds with a sanitizing solution before and after handling food.
2. Avoid Cross-Contamination
Cross-contamination refers to the transfer of harmful pathogens between food. Keep raw meat, fish, and eggs in a separate storage compartment from other foods to prevent cross-contamination. Practice regular hand and surface washing to avoid transferring bacteria from one surface to another.
3. Cook to the Proper Temperature
Undercooked foods run the risk of developing foodborne illnesses. Use cooking guidelines for preparing raw meats and other foods at the required internal temperature. Also, use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature of these foods before removing them from the heat source.
4. Serve at the Proper Temperature
Preparing food at the proper temperature is half the challenge of preventing food truck-borne illnesses. It’s just as important to ensure customers receive their food at the proper temperature. Be mindful of the wait time between cooking and serving food to prevent bacterial growth and other disease-causing illnesses.
5. Regulate Food Storage System
The storage system on a food truck can significantly impact the risk of foodborne illnesses. Product storage on a food truck determines the longevity and quality of the food your truck serves. Monitor the appliance thermometers inside the truck’s fridge or freezers to ensure proper food storage.