Download While winter is recognised as the prime time for the dreaded lurgy

While winter is
recognised as the
prime time for the
dreaded lurgy, summer
brings risks of another
lurgy - FOOD
POISONING.
Food Poisoning can be caused by
chemicals (such as pesticides) or
bacteria. Most commonly, bacteria is
spread by:
contact between people and food
contact between cloth and food
using dirty utensils
contact between raw food and other
food
Most foods have a certain "shelf life".
Some foods can be kept in the
cupboard, but many require
refrigeration or even freezing. These
foods can only be kept at room
temperature for a short time. In fact,
given the right conditions bacteria
doubles every 20 minutes.
flies and pests
poor garbage disposal
poor storage techniques
In the case of the Lunchbox Lurgy, the
most common source of bacteria is
POOR STORAGE.
So if your piece of food has only one
bacterium when taken out of the fridge
on a 25 degree day, after 4 hours there
will be 4,096 bacteria. After 8 hours,
your food has more than 16 million
bacteria.
9am
1pm
5pm
1 bacterium
4,096 bacteria
16 million bacteria
please turn over
When considering what to do with food that has been left at room temperature, use
the 2 hour / 4 hour rule
0
1
2
3
4+
hours
+
less than 2 hours
refrigerate or use
immediately!
2 to 4 hours
use immediately
Don't put back in the fridge!
over 4 hours
throw it out!
Practice good personal hygiene when
preparing food.
Avoid cross contamination with people,
pests and raw meat.
Choose bacteria-resistant foods:
Acidic foods such as citrus and yoghurt
Dry foods
Canned / vacuum packed foods (until
opened)
Avoid foods, such as meat, that are normally
kept in the refrigerator, particularly on hot
summer days.
Avoid perishable foods that have just been
cooked. These should be cooled in the
refrigerator before being packed.
Do not store lunchboxes in direct sunlight.
Throw out lunchbox leftovers.
Put a frozen container in the lunchbox to
help keep foods cool. A frozen drink is
ideal.
Use an insulated lunch box!
Source:
"NSW Food Authority - www.safefoods.nsw.gov.au"
OHS expertise and advice provided by
c Occupational Health and Safety
Solutions Pty Ltd
Call OHS Solutions
on (02) 9744 8245
www.ohssolutions.com.au
For more copies please contact
OHS Solutions on 02 9744 8245