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The definition of food under The Public Health (Food Handling) Regulations of 1998 "includes water, ice or any substance manufactured, prepared, sold or represented for use as food or drink, or flavouring or condiments used in or with the preparation of food".

Further, "high-risk food means non-acidic, moist, and protein-based food which, in order to ensure product safety, requires the application and maintenance of specified temperatures at various stages of its preparation and includes meat and meat products, milk and milk products, eggs, poultry, fish and shellfish, puddings, custards, cream-filled baked goods, potato and other mayonnaise-based salads, cream-based soups and sauces."

Collin Cooper, environmental health specialist of the Food Safety and Protection division in the Ministry of Health, outlines a systematic process to ensure not only that there is adequate food supply but also that it is safe.

Constant checks

"At periodic intervals someone is assigned to not only look at the utilisation of the food, but also to ensure that the temperatures are collated and documented," Cooper said.

If there is a variation in the temperatures outside the prescribed band, corrective measures must be instituted. Cooper said that under ideal conditions bacteria will reach exponential multiplication in 20 minutes.

In ensuring that there is adequate food on a buffet line, Cooper says "you do not replenish, you replace". Hence new items are not added to what is already on the line; the container is refilled from empty or a fresh one put out.

One factor to take into consideration in balancing the supply of a food item and minimising waste is the palate of the expected consumer.

Among the food classified as high-risk which persons may take for granted are rice, melon and, with its meat content, the patty. "When you have a patty and it is cold it is a serious risk," Cooper said. Fish is considered medium risk.

"Microorganisms are intelligent. They are not waiting on us. They are always in an opportunistic mode. Once we drop our guard they capitalise on that," Cooper warned.

- M.C.