Important Food Safety Terms You Should Know

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Understanding food safety techniques first requires an understanding of key terms and concepts. This article will define and explain some of the most important terms you need to know to keep you and your family healthy.

BACTERIA: Microorganisms that can cause food borne illness and food spoilage. Bacteria are more commonly involved in food-related illness than viruses, fungi, or parasites. Some bacteria spores can survive freezing and high temperatures.

CONTAMINATION: The presence of harmful substances in food. Some contamination occurs naturally. Some may be introduced by humans or other environmental agents.

CROSS-CONTAMINATION: When harmful substances or bacteria is physically transferred from one source (e.g. human) to another.

FOOD CONTACT SURFACE: Any surface that touches food.

FOODBORNE ILLNESS: Sickness or disease transmitted to people via food.

FUNGI: Molds and yeasts are examples of fungi. Fungi can range in size from microscopic single-celled organisms to large, multi-cellular organisms. Fungi are often the cause of food spoilage.

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT: Programs to prevent pests from infesting food sources and serving establishments and measures to eliminate any pest intrusions.

MICROORGANISMS: Tiny living organisms that can be seen using a microscope.
The four types of microorganisms that can contaminate food and cause food borne illness are bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi.

PARASITE: An organism that needs a host organism to survive. Parasites can live inside many animals that are used for food including cows, chickens, pigs and fish. Proper heating, cooking and freezing kills parasites. Avoiding cross-contamination and proper hand washing is also vital in preventing food borne illness caused by parasites.

PATHOGENS: Microorganisms that cause disease including disease in food.

POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD: Types of food in which microorganisms are able to grow quickly. Potentially hazardous food groups often has a history of being involved in food borne illness outbreaks, has potential for contamination due to methods used to produce and process it, and has characteristics that generally allow microorganisms to thrive. Potentially hazardous food is often moist, high in protein, and chemically neutral or slightly acidic.

PRODUCE TRACEABILITY: The ability to accurately track fresh produce from its point of origin (field) to the time of purchase by the end consumer. Complete traceability, known as whole chain traceability.

SANITIZE: The action and process of reducing the number of harmful microorganisms on a surface to make it safe for contact with food.

TOXINS: Harmful substances or poisons.

VIRUS: The smallest microbial food contaminants. Viruses require a live host to survive and reproduce. Virus usually contaminates food via a food handlers insufficient and improper handling and hygiene. Virus can survive some cooking and freezing temperatures.

The 15 terms described above are examples of the most important core food safety terms. Use this information to as a starting point for your deeper research.

Energy Drinks and Food Bars – Important Information

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Some can be good for you if not over used but it’s important that you know what you are getting into instead of believing the company who’s trying to sell it to you because they aren’t worried about your health so much as their bottom line. With so many energy drinks available you must find out which ones really are good and which are more of a junk food in a “healthy package”.
One of the more recent “natural” sweeteners to become popular is agave nectar, but it turns out that this is actually a processed food that’s high in fructose. You will find some energy drinks that have either been regulated or banned all together. Of course we all know just how many of these products contain a high amount of sugar ordinarily but watch out for those who disguise the sugars in the food and beverages. You’re also not getting essential fibers and healthy fats when you eat too many food bars instead of meals. You need to choose one without added sugar especially if you are looking to lose weight. Healthy food bars can be good snacks and, when combined with something like a salad, part of a nutritious meal, but they can’t be considered meal replacements all the time. There is a wide variety of availability these days in energy, food, diet bars and drinks on the market and some are definitely better for you than others. There has been much controversy over energy drinks and food bars in recent years. High school athletes, professional athletes, middle aged men and women alike do it. You will find a lot of people who swear by them and others who make claims to the contrary. The information you’ll find below will help you determine which ones really are ok for you to consume.

As you can see from this information it’s imperative that you use common sense when it comes to food bars or energy drinks. This is not a product you want to tangle with if your goal is weight loss. High fructose corn syrup is commonly found in these products. s.

Read our full review of food bars and energy drinks and their full impact on your health and well being.

Important Components Of Food Safety Standards

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There may be several food safety standards, but their goal is always the same. Each set of rules aims to ensure that food items will not cause harm to consumers. There are no distinct boundaries to tell these standards apart, although there are different ways to look at it. These regulations can be grouped according to food service, import or distribution. Each division is governed by different agencies, which may enforce diverse sets of standards:

1. Imports

Food safety standards that deal with this division are the most widespread among all regulations. Government agencies for agriculture are usually in control of these standards. Politics may also play an influential role in decision-making, especially since this division deals with trade and import. European countries, for instance, have firmer rules on importing genetically modified crops compared to the United States. Some countries may also restrict dairy products made with unpasteurized milk.

2. Distribution

Another way to look at food safety standards is through distribution. Processing is an example of this division. Most cases of contamination begin during production and processing, which is why prevention is crucial at this stage. Standards that focus on this division emphasize the importance of stopping contamination at an early level, before it causes widespread harm. A country-wide contamination can easily spread to a full-blown worldwide disaster if food safety is not practiced from the very beginning. Not only will it require immense effort in recalling contaminated items, but food safety malpractice may also lead to poisoning and illness. Both consequences have an enormous impact on the country’s economy and may lead to greater expenses and losses in profit.

The national agency of agriculture is held responsible for making sure that standards in distribution are met. All methods and precautions should be exercised to prevent cross-contamination and ensure food sanitation.

3. Food Service

Food safety regulations that are included in this division are more focused on food presentation and handling. This includes maintaining the appropriate temperature in salad bars and storage freezers. Meat and poultry should be prepared in accordance with the recommended heat level. Otherwise, consumers should at least be informed that the meat was undercooked. For instance, customers may have different preferences with how their steak is prepared.

Good hygiene goes hand in hand with food safety. Employees who are directly in contact with food items should practice proper hygiene in food preparation and handling. The local health department is in charge of implementing these guidelines in the food service industry. Depending on the government, these policies may require overall hygiene in the workplace and service area. Some employees are even encouraged to wear hairnets while preparing food.

Food safety should not be taken lightly, especially by those who are engaged in the food service industry. Business who are non-compliant to these standards are at risk of losing their license to operate, and may even be required to pay fines. The local government reprimands uncooperative businesses by revoking their licenses until proper action is taken.

Italian Food Catering Services For Your Next Gathering from Maria’s Italian Kitchen

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There are several situations where you may have to arrange for catering. Perhaps somebody is having an engagement, perhaps your office needs to arrange on-site meals, or you are interested in throwing a private party that stays fresh in everyone’s memory for a long, long time. Once you’ve chosen to arrange for catering, the main question you need to answer is what type of food you’d prefer. Maria’s Italian Kitchen would like to suggest Italian food.

Catering, as you may perhaps know, is one of Maria’s specialties. They have been providing Italian food catering services to Los Angeles for a very long time and they have gotten pretty good at it. Our dedicated catering and events staff has the determination and experience to appease all of your requests while staying inside your budget and providing you with some of Los Angeles’ best Italian food. Catering rarely used to be this convenient.

If you’re scheduling your wedding, you may want to think about serving Italian food. Catering services with Maria’s Italian Kitchen don’t stop with the food, however. They can help you with all the little details from choosing a location, to food, drinks and even decoration. Speak to their events staff regarding the arrangement of a traditional Italian wedding, even if you aren’t Italian! Food, catering, location and decoration are all parts of the package.

They are also really seasoned at providing craft services to the film and TV industries. Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world, and there is nothing less entertaining than an empty stomach. They’ll keep your cast and crew’s spirits high and well fed with their selection of authentic, wholesome Italian food. Catering for the specific food allergies and dietary requirements of your people is not a problem, either.

If you’re having a private party in the near future, don’t run yourself ragged preparing a feast for your friends; let Maria’s Italian Kitchen take care of it for you. Whether for a small, more intimate gathering or a significant feast for hundreds they will ensure everyone remembers the fantastic Italian food. Catering with Maria’s is convenient, affordable, and most of all delicious.

Maria’s Italian Kitchen is one of Los Angeles’ top places to go for great Italian food, catering, or just for a few drinks. They have been serving L.A. for just about 30 years with their genuine, traditional recipes and fresh, wholesome ingredients. In addition to the traditional recipes, they also have many gluten free alternatives. The menu is also full of delicious vegetarian options.

If you are looking into arranging catering with Maria’s, make sure to ask them about their catering loyalty rewards program. When you are a member of the rewards program, every $100 you spend on catering services gets you $5 worth of rewards points that you can use towards dining in at one of their 9 locations. It’s their way of thanking you when planning your big event or arranging to feed your staff and colleagues.

A Brief Guide to Phuket, Thailand

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Introduction

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy and has the largest number of recorded reigns in the world. Current King, Bhumibol Adulyadej, is the ninth king of the House of Chakri, and is the longest serving head of state alive today, and the longest serving monarch Thailand has ever had.

Thailand’s economy was considerably boosted in the 1980s and 90s, when it became more industrialised, and tourism became strongly promoted. Today, Thailand’s exports and tourism are two of its most valued industries.

Thailand is blessed with several tourist destinations which see millions of visitors from all over the world. Ayutthaya, Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, and Ko Samui are among the most popular places in Thailand.

Phuket is an island which lies off the South West coast of Thailand. It is a popular tourist destination and is famed for a number of activities, some of which are highlighted below

Lean to Cook Thai Cuisine

Thai Cuisine is known the world over, and Thai food is one of the most popular in the world. Though cookery classes may not be an immediate choice for a holiday or vacation pastime while in Thailand, the exotic nature of Thai food provides hours of fun for many Phuket tourists.

Phuket provides cooking classes from experienced chefs. Many cooking classes are held near man shopping complexes in Phuket, such as Jungcelon. Many classes are held in working restaurants and bars.

Classes are aimed at all levels and many start with a tour of a Thai food market, before combining these wonderful and exotic Thai ingredients together. Thai food is about balancing flavours for an authentic and unforgettable dinning experience.

Of course, once you have picked up the basics, putting your new found Thai cooking skills to use in your Thailand Phuket vacation and holiday rental apartment simply has to be done.

The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project

Gibbons and other species of Monkeys native to South East Asia are often taken and used as tourist attractions. The process of hunting and capturing gibbons is often barbaric, with younger animals being taken and the older ones slaughtered. The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (GRP) on Phuket was established to try and help gibbons that had been taken from their natural habitat, by nursing them back to health and reintroduce them to the wild once they were ready. It has received some bad press from people that have claimed to work for the GRP, but it has also received plenty of praise from other quarters. The project on Phuket It is open to visitors and volunteers.

Elephant Trekking

If you choose to go on an elephant trek across Phuket, you have in all probability saved the elephant’s life. Since the logging industry was banned in 1989 and the changing environment of Phuket due to industrialisation, wild elephants together with working elephants have all but disappeared outside of tourism. Like humans, elephants need employment to survive in Thailand and being used as transport for tourists is really their only option. They are clever, intelligent, and due to the slow speed they walk at, are a perfect way to take in the splendour of Phuket.