CFT 
As we approach Australian Food Safety Week, it’s the perfect time to reflect on this year’s World Food Safety Day theme, “Prepare for the Unexpected.” With changing climate conditions, supply chain disruptions, and evolving food safety risks, being proactive about food safety has never been more important. Here’s how you can prepare for unforeseen challenges to keep your food safe, fresh, and ready to enjoy.
Why Preparing for the Unexpected Matters
Unexpected events like extreme weather, transportation delays, or supply chain issues can impact the availability and safety of our food. By adopting proactive food safety measures, you can safeguard your health and minimise the impact of these disruptions. Whether you’re managing a pantry at home or a commercial kitchen, having a plan in place is essential to ensure food safety during unpredictable times.
Proactive Food Safety Measures
To help you stay prepared, here are some practical tips to incorporate into your food safety routine:
Stock Up on Non-Perishable Foods
Keeping a supply of non-perishable foods can be invaluable during emergencies when fresh food might be harder to access.
- Focus on Basics: Canned foods, dried pasta, rice, grains, and long-life milk are versatile and can form the basis of nutritious meals.
- Store Properly: Ensure your pantry is cool, dry, and dark to maximise the shelf life of these items. Organise by expiry date, so you use the oldest items first.
- Check Labels: Regularly check the best-before dates on these items and rotate your stock to keep everything fresh.
Practice Safe Food Handling
During unexpected events, safe food handling becomes even more critical to prevent foodborne illnesses, especially if disruptions impact food quality or freshness.
- Wash Hands and Surfaces: Keeping hands, utensils, and food prep areas clean is essential in reducing the spread of harmful bacteria.
- Separate Raw and Cooked Foods: Avoid cross-contamination by using separate utensils and cutting boards for raw meats and ready-to-eat foods.
- Follow Temperature Guidelines: Store perishable foods at the correct temperatures to prevent bacterial growth. The fridge should be at 0-4°C, and the freezer should be -18°C or lower.
Prepare for Power Outages
Power outages can compromise refrigeration, so having a plan can help protect your perishable items.
- Keep the Fridge Closed: When the power goes out, keep fridge and freezer doors closed to retain cool air. A full freezer will keep items frozen for about 48 hours, while a half-full freezer will last about 24 hours.
- Use Ice Packs and Coolers: Have a cooler and ice packs on hand to temporarily store perishables if the outage is prolonged.
- Monitor Temperatures: If possible, use a thermometer to check food temperatures during an outage. Food is safe as long as it stays below 4°C; otherwise, discard anything that’s been above this temperature for more than two hours.
- Be Cautious with Food from Disrupted Supply Chains
Global events can sometimes impact the quality or availability of certain foods, increasing the importance of careful selection and preparation.
- Inspect Fresh Produce: Check fresh items like fruits and vegetables for signs of spoilage before purchasing or using, especially if supply chain delays may have affected their quality.
- Be Mindful of Recalls: Stay informed about food recalls, as supply chain disruptions can sometimes lead to contamination risks.
- Source Locally: When possible, buy from local suppliers who may be less affected by global disruptions, ensuring fresher produce and supporting local food security.
- Plan Ahead with Food Storage
Being prepared for unexpected events also means maximising the storage life of the food you have.
- Freeze Excess Items: Freezing extends the life of many foods, including meat, bread, and even some fruits and vegetables. Portion and label items to make it easy to thaw only what you need.
- Use Airtight Containers: Store dry goods in airtight containers to protect against pests and preserve freshness.
- Make Use of Preservation Methods: Consider canning, pickling, or dehydrating seasonal produce to create a backup supply that doesn’t rely on refrigeration.
Promoting Food Safety Awareness
As we prepare for Australian Food Safety Week, take these tips to heart and share them with others. You can help spread food safety awareness by sharing this article on social media—tag CFT to promote safe practices and be part of a proactive food safety community!
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