FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ‘Use By’ date Mean?
This is the date that the food must be used by. It is illegal to use food beyond its use by date because it can compromise safety standards
What does ‘Best Before’ date mean?
Best before dates often apply to longer shelf-life foods and usually relate to the quality of the food rather than the safety.
Can I use food past its ‘best before’ date?
It is not an offence to do so but it would be if the food had deteriorated to such a point that it was unsafe to eat.
Do all food handlers need to wear protective clothing like gloves, hats and hairnets?
It is regarded as good practice to wear protective clothing while preparing food.
Do I need to declare allergens on my wine list, cocktail menu or drinks list?
Businesses must declare the presence of allergens on all menus including beverages, for example wines containing sulphites
Do I have to declare the type of nut or gluten / cereal on a menu?
Yes, the cereal name e.g., ‘wheat’, must be declared and highlighted, not ‘gluten’. Similar for nuts, the name of the nut, e.g., ‘almond’, must be declared and highlighted, not ‘nuts’.
Do I have to use plastic gloves when handling raw or cooked food?
It is not a legal requirement to wear plastic gloves when handling either cooked or raw food. However, it is important to note that gloves can be a source of contamination if proper procedures are not followed
What is the correct temperature to hold hot cooked food at?
Hot food should be kept at a temperature of 63° C or above
What temperature should I reheat food to?
When reheating the core temperature of food should reach 70 degrees or greater. Food should only be reheated once following cooking or hot holding.
