In your kitchen, food safety should be your top priority. That’s why it may surprise you to learn that two major food safety hazards could be happening right under your nose.
1. Using Unsanitary Tape to Label Containers
Look at your food storage spaces; do you see any containers or food pans labeled with blue or green tape? Many chefs enjoy using tape to label their stored food because it is inexpensive and easy to use. Contrary to widely held belief, putting tape on your storage containers subjects your kitchen to multiple problems. First, most containers are labeled with a name and a date—that’s it. The problem with this limited information is that chefs may question whether it is the expiration date or preparation date. As a result, prepped food may be subject to getting tossed out.
In addition to all the confusion of labeling, tape is known to harbor bacteria. In humid or moist environments typically found in kitchens, tape does not hold well, allowing for bacteria to potentially build underneath over time. Although the tape is outside of the container, cross-contamination from contact with the tape can happen.
Cambro offers StoreSafe® Food Rotation Labels that are created specifically for containers and pans that hold food. StoreSafe labels are clearly printed with lines for the item, prep and expiration dates and an employee initial to eliminate any confusion. If you’ve ever forgotten to take the tape off a container before you run it through the dishwasher, you know that it’ll still be there when it comes out. StoreSafe labels are biodegradable and 100% dissolvable in the dishwasher, so you’ll never have to worry about sticky residue that’s been left behind.
2. Plastic Wrapped Containers and Food Pans
Plastic wrap is convenient, but it is also extremely wasteful. No matter how tightly you wrap your containers and food pans with plastic wrap, it will never compare to using a Seal Cover. Plastic wrap increases waste in three distinct ways.
- Food Waste: Plastic wrap doesn’t seal tightly, which allows for food to spoil much faster and increases the chances it will have to be thrown away before it can be used.
- Trash: Plastic wrap is typically only good for one use before it needs to be tossed in the trash, creating a significant amount of unnecessary waste.
- Space: When using plastic wrap on a food pan or storage container, you can’t stack items on top of one another, preventing storage space from being effectively utilized.
Using a Seal Cover counteracts all the problems associated with plastic wrap. Designed with an inner seal, Seal Covers are proven to extend the shelf life of prepped ingredients up to three days. Unlike plastic wrap, Seal Covers are dishwasher safe to be used again and again. When using a lid, items can be stacked safely to use every inch of your space.
Eliminating tape and plastic wrap are just two simple ways you can increase food safety in your kitchen while saving both time and money in the long run.
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS: AT CAMBRO, NATALEE PATTERSON IS A MARKETING INTERN AND ADRIANA COCHRAN IS THE DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER.
