Safe preparation of food in commercial kitchens
Those preparing food for others bear great responsibility. More than 100,000 cases of illness are reported in Germany every year, many of which may be caused by the presence of microorganisms in foods - especially bacteria, viruses or parasites. The total figure including non-reported cases is probably considerably higher. In order to prevent such cases of illness, public canteens must observe strict hygiene rules. Working in conjunction, the BfR and aid infodienst have drawn up rules of hygiene for employees in commercial kitchens. Previously available in twelve languages, the leaflet on this topic has now been translated into Persian as well.
The German catering sector employs people of different nationalities. For this reason, the leaflet "Hygiene Rules in the Catering Sector" had already been translated from German into other languages such as English, Turkish and Russian. An additional goal is to make selected measures of risk communication available in the mother tongues of refugees as well. The popular leaflet is already available in Arabic. Due to high demand, the BfR, in cooperation with aid infodienst, has now commissioned a translation into Persian (Farsi/Dari).
Hygiene rules in the catering sector are concerned with personal hygiene, correct handling of foods and clean facilities. Observing them can protect foods from contamination with pathogens and food-borne disease. On the one hand, the goal is to prevent transfer of pathogens from humans to foods and, on the other hand, from one food to another. By heating food, any present germs can be killed off. In addition, it is important that the food is kept hot and/or that already heated foods are chilled quickly and sufficiently to ensure that surviving pathogens cannot multiply.
The BfR and aid infodienst have published further information on this topic in the leaflet "Hygiene Rules in the Catering Sector". The leaflet is now available in 13 languages (Arabic, Chinese, German, English, French, Greek, Italian, Persian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese) and can be downloaded free of charge from the website of the BfR and aid infodienst. A printed version of the German version can additionally be requested from the BfR at:
- /de/merkblaetter_fuer_weitere_berufsgruppen-61521.html
- www.aid.de/verbraucher/hygiene.php
- www.aid.de/shop/shop_detail.php?bestellnr=0441
About the BfR
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is a scientifically independent institution within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) in Germany. It advises the Federal Government and Federal Laender on questions of food, chemical and product safety. The BfR conducts its own research on topics that are closely linked to its assessment tasks.
The BfR is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, the institute has published a jubilee brochure which can be downloaded or ordered free of charge at www.bfr.bund.de
About aid infodienst registered association
aid infodienst produces easy-to-understand practical and target group-oriented media on the subjects of agriculture, food and nutrition. Based on scientific research, the media contents are developed in close cooperation with external experts and specialist research institutions.
As a charitable association, aid infodienst relies on public subsidies meaning that it operates independently of commercial interests.
Disclaimer
This text version is a translation of the original German text which is the only legally binding version.