There are many elements to food safety that companies in the UK have to comply with.
For this reason, companies involved in preparing, cooking or selling edible products can sometimes benefit from compliance software.
One aspect of ensuring food is safe is making sure it does not get stored at the wrong temperature and using a temperature sensor can help with this.
According to a study conducted among 450 food-service establishments in Wake County in the US recently, some were not adhering to procedures that keep food safe, the News & Observer reports.
The county released the results of a survey which found that fewer people would get food-borne illnesses if the state adopted federal rules that are stricter about issues such as food temperature.
If this change was to occur, more businesses may invest in compliance software and a temperature sensor.
The county’s environmental health director, Andre Pierce, claimed the research shows what areas need to be worked on.
He stated: “We’re putting up the stoplights before the wrecks occur.”
Late last year and early in 2010, hundreds of people became sick after dining in different eateries in the county.
Commenting on the issue, food-safety specialist at N C State University Ben Chapman said: “Rules are only one of the factors. Legislation can only go so far. What’s more important is what happens when the inspector’s not there.
“You have to find a way to engage everyone, from the business owner all the way down to the 15-year-old who works in the kitchen, in the concept that we need to prevent food-borne illness.”
Food poisoning occurs as a result of eating contaminated objects and in most cases, the product that causes the illness has been infected by bacteria such as salmonella or a virus.
Among the things that are particularly vulnerable to contamination if they are not handled, stored or cooked properly are meat, dairy and ‘ready to eat’ goods such as pre-packed sandwiches.