An Insight into Food Safety
Posted by Sinead Belton | 31st Mar 2022
Food safety involves the handling, preparation and storage of all food. As a food manufacturer, it is our responsibility to ensure that the food we deliver to our customers is of the highest quality and that all of the necessary safety precautions are adhered to. This reduces the risk of food borne illness for our customers.
Safe Preparation of Food
Here at Gourmet Fuel the safe preparation of food is a priority for us. We carry out all of the necessary procedures to ensure that the food we prepare and deliver to you is of the highest quality in terms of food safety and hygiene. For us, this means thoroughly preparing and sanitising surfaces, utensils and cooking equipment. Maintaining proper hygiene and handwashing procedures and ensuring that the correct procedures are adhered to for the storage and chilling of our meals.
What can you do?
But what does this mean for you at home? Whether it be storing and heating our meals or preparing your own food, similar procedures must also be followed. Be aware of best before dates, use by dates and follow the correct storage and heating instructions indicated on food labels.
Use by Dates
This date is a food safety measure that represents the deadline date by which food must be consumed. It is our responsibility as food manufacturers to ensure that an appropriate and safe shelf life date has been allocated to all of our products. All of our meals here at Gourmet Fuel undergo shelf life testing to ensure that the product you receive meets the correct food safety criteria. Our meals have a shelf life of up to 7 days. All of our salads, and some of our breakfasts, have a shorter shelf life of 5 days.
What can you do?
The best before and use by dates on food products allow you as a consumer to make an informed decision about food. When receiving our meals always check the white use by date sticker located on the film of the tray. Ensure that this date has not passed and that the packaging has remained intact and sealed before consuming.
Food Allergens
A food allergy is an abnormal reaction in the body to a specific food, subsequently causing an allergic reaction. In line with food safety regulations and in order to protect our customers, we must declare all allergens present in our products. Allergens are indicated in bold on our ingredients list on the back of our sleeves.
Please note that we do not operate in an allergen free environment, as indicated on our website.
What can you do?
If you have a diagnosed allergen you must ensure that you check the ingredient list of any product for that allergen. On our website you have the option to filter our meals by any number of the 14 allergens. Our ingredients list is located on the back of our sleeves and also on our website in the ingredients & allergens tab for each product.
Learn More
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland is the governing body for food safety and hygiene here in Ireland. They offer some short e-learning modules to allow individuals to educate themselves on all things food safety. If you have any questions regarding food safety, food hygiene or food allergens don't hesitate to contact us!