Food handler responsibilities

Food allergens

Overview

As a food handler, the law requires that you know what is in the food you are selling because some ingredients may cause an allergic reaction or illness in the person who eats it.

Do:

be absolutely sure you understand the customer's needs and are giving them correct information
ask your manager or chef if you don’t know or are unsure
ask if your workplace has a way of identifying meals that are to be delivered to an allergic customer, such as using different coloured plates
when delivering the meal, identify the allergen free product to ensure it is given to the right customer
use separate, clean utensils, cutting boards and kitchen equipment for customers with a food allergy
call an ambulance if a customer has trouble breathing, tightness and swelling of their throat and tongue and is faint or collapses.

Don't:

ever guess what is in a food. If you don’t know ask - your guess could prove fatal to your customer
remove an allergen from a finished meal. For example, take the nuts off a plate of food thinking that this is a safe meal to provide to a customer with a nut allergy. It is not, even the smallest trace can cause anaphylaxis and death.

Remember

It is extremely important to use clean and sanitised or separate utensils, cutting boards and cooking equipment when making food for a customer with an allergy.

Even the smallest amount of the allergen on surfaces can cause an allergic reaction.

Cooking and heating do not destroy allergens in food.

Even cooking on the same grill or in a deep fryer may trigger an allergic reaction for the customer if the cooking equipment hasn't been cleaned and sanitised and has previously been used to prepare food that was not allergen free.

Answer this practice question...

To prevent allergen cross-contamination between foods you should: A use separate utensils and equipment B wash and sanitise cutting boards and utensils after preparing foods containing allergens C ask the chef or manager if you are not sure if a food contains allergens D all of the above

3 of 4 subject areas

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