Information for the food industry
How do I PREVENT intentional contamination of food?
Carrying out the following practices may assist you in preventing intentional contamination of your food:
Obtain and use only safe food
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Purchase only from reputable vendors
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Schedule deliveries when staff are present to inspect and secure the delivery
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Return food products that have been delivered in suspicious and damaged food containers, for example:
- packaging with cuts, tears, punctures
- cans and bottles/jars with signs of leakage, dents, corrosion
- products with damaged or missing safety seals.
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Examine foods before use. Do not use foods that contain foreign matter, have broken seals, damaged packaging, or unusual odours, textures or appearances.
Store food in a safe way
Prepare food in a safe way
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Supervise food handlers in food processing areas to prevent opportunities for food to be intentionally contaminated
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Supervise contract workers to prevent opportunities for food being able to be intentionally contaminated.
Serve food in a safe way
In self-serve areas, such as salad bars and buffets:
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know what food you placed in service and when
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do not add old food to new when replenishing
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monitor self-service areas at all times
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minimise the quantity of food on display
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report suspicious activities to supervisors immediately.
Prevent additional opportunities for intentional contamination to occur
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Check daily for things that may be out of place.
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Be aware of any suspicious behaviour and anyone lingering in self-service areas.
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Do a background check on all employees.
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Train staff to notice and report signs of intentional contamination of food or other unusual activities.
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Keep employee personal items out of food processing/handling area.
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Make a separate area for employee breaks, located away from storage areas.
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How do I RESPOND to intentional contamination of food?
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Most importantly do not sniff, touch, eat or taste food if you suspect it has been intentionally contaminated.
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If someone becomes sick after handling a suspect product call an ambulance immediately and follow their directions.
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Advise any customers who you believe may have been affected but are not sick, to seek medical advice.
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Notify Queensland Health on 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) immediately after reasonable suspicion has been formed that food has been intentionally contaminated (Note: failure to notify Queensland Health is an offence).
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Keep the suspected contaminated food to allow for independent testing.
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Comply with the directions about handling the suspected contaminated food and food equipment that may have been handled with the suspected contaminated food.
Summary
To prevent and respond to intentional contamination of food at your food business:
- Prevent oportunities for criminals to intentionally contaminate your food products.
- Investigate suspicious activity immediately. Collect as much information as you can. Remove the suspect food from service. Keep the suspect food for evidence.
- Notify Queensland Health on 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) and the Police if you suspect food has been intentionally contaminated and follow all directions. Call an ambulance if someone has become ill after eating the suspect food. (Note: failure to notify Queensland Health is an offence)
- Keep the suspect food for evidence. Do not handle the food. Wrap it in plastic, or place it in a plastic bag, or a container with a lid. Label the item clearly, and separate it from your regular supplies.
Who do I contact?
Who do I contact if I am faced with an incident where food has been intentionally contaminated?
Fact Sheets
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