One of the most important areas to get right in hospitality is the food.  We are a nation that enjoy eating out, we celebrate events with friends and family over a meal.  Yes, it is important that the restaurant get the flavours correct, however, it is more critical that they do so in a safe way.

In Ireland, we have stringent regulations in place to ensure that the food served to the public is safe for consumption.  Food preparation in hotels, restaurants and cafes must be of the highest standard.  The business must ensure that food preparation and handling processes are safe, and documentation is there to support this.

The word HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point) refers to procedures an organisation must put in place to ensure the food produced is safe.  A robust food safety management system allows you to identify and control any hazards that could pose a danger to the preparation of safe food. It helps you to identify what can go wrong, prepare a plan to prevent it and checks to ensure you are doing it.

The consequences of not having the right systems in place are significant.  If there is an issue then you risk being shut down, even worse is the negative publicity that such an action can cause.  Many businesses never recover from this.

When it comes to complying with legal obligations there are strict guidelines in place that must be observed.  In general, premises must be kept clean, there should be suitable space for people to work in and it should be posibel to maintain hygiene there.  The equipment should be in good working order, staff trained in its use and should be kept clean.  Personal hygiene is also especially important, and guidelines will include hand washing, clothing, cleaning procedures and monitoring health.  Of course, food storage is an important area also.  Ensuring food is stored correctly to avoid cross contamination and stored the right temperature is key.

The hospitality sector plays an important role in maintaining food safety standards and we are glad to work with many clients in this area to keep them compliant and maintaining the highest of standards.