Department of Health Food Safety: Home (2024)

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  2. Topic: Cooking food safely

Cooking food safely

Food handling

There is a good chance that food will be contaminated while it’s being cooked if correct food handling principles are not followed.

You must always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using cooking equipment. If you cannot find the instructions, ask your supervisor or manager for the equipment instructions.

Cooking temperatures

  • Cooking food to temperatures above 75 °C kills most bacteria.
  • Use a washed and sanitised thermometer to check that the thickest part, or the centre of the cooked food, has reached 75 °C.
  • Always serve or keep cooked food at 60 °C or hotter.
  • Whole pieces of red meat and fish can be cooked to preference, for example, steaks can be cooked medium rare. They do not need to be cooked to 75 °C because bacteria will only be on the surface of the whole piece. Cooking will destroy the bacteria and minimise the risk of contamination.

Department of Health Food Safety: Home (1)

Always check

  • soups, sauces, gravies and casseroles boil to help prevent bacteria surviving the cooking process
  • that cooked food is held or served at 60°C or hotter
  • that only clear juices run from thoroughly cooked minced meats, poultry, chicken or rolled roasts.

Department of Health Food Safety: Home (2)

3 of 6 subject areas

Department of Health Food Safety: Home (2024)

FAQs

Can I sell food from home in NJ? ›

Getting started in New Jersey

New Jersey cottage food producers must register on the state health department's website, pay $100 for a two-year permit, obtain a food protection manager certificate, and provide a copy of the most recent water bill for the location of the cottage food kitchen.

Do I need a license to sell food from my home in NY? ›

Selling Home Made Foods

If you plan to prepare and sell foods and are not eligible for a Home Processor exemption, you will need to obtain a Food Service Establishment permit from your local health department.

Do you need a license to cater in NJ? ›

Catering Business License in New Jersey

In New Jersey, there's no specific catering license, but caterers need to obtain a liquor license if they'll be serving alcohol, and food safety certifications like other businesses that handle food.

What is home food safety? ›

In every step of food preparation, follow the four guidelines to keep food safe: Clean—Wash hands and surfaces often. Separate—Don't cross-contaminate. Cook—Cook to proper temperatures, checking with a food thermometer. Chill—Refrigerate promptly.

How do I get a food handler permit in NJ? ›

How do I get a food handler card in New Jersey?
  1. Take an approved food handler course.
  2. Pass the test.
  3. Present your training certificate to your employer or local health authority.

Can I sell produce from my garden in NJ? ›

A municipality may impose a license fee upon any person selling vegetables, green goods, farm produce, shrubbery, plants, bulbs, or products of the nursery or farm in any common or public market place within the limits of the municipality, the license fee being for the purpose of permitting such person to conduct such ...

Can you sell homemade cookies on the street? ›

Yes, baked goods made in a home kitchen can be sold at bake sales in California, as long as they meet the health and safety standards set by the local health department. It`s important to ensure proper food handling and storage practices to maintain food safety.

What is a foodservice establishment? ›

Food Service Establishment means a place where food and drink are prepared for direct consumption. This could be a variety of places such as restaurants, coffee shops, sandwich shops, theaters and more.

How much is a food license in NJ? ›

How much does a food facility health permit cost?
License NameCostLink
Food Service License$10-$15New Jersey Food Handler License Requirements

How to get a food vendor license in NJ? ›

Start applying: Download the food vendors license application form from the New Jersey Health Department website. The form typically requires information like your name, business name and address, type of food you'll be selling, and the venues where you'll be selling.

How do I register as a vendor in NJ? ›

To register as a vendor to do business with the State of New Jersey, navigate to www.njstart.gov Please read the information provided on the welcome page. To begin registration click Register.

What are 4 types of food safety? ›

There are four different types of food safety hazard, which are:
  • Biological.
  • Chemical.
  • Physical.
  • Allergenic.
Apr 22, 2021

What are the 5 basic food safety rules? ›

Overview
  • keep clean;
  • separate raw and cooked;
  • cook thoroughly;
  • keep food at safe temperatures; and.
  • use safe water and raw materials.

How do you take responsibility for food safety in your home? ›

4 basic steps for food safety
  1. Clean: always wash your food, hands, counters, and cooking tools. Wash hands in warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds. ...
  2. Separate (keep apart): keep raw foods to themselves. ...
  3. Cook: foods need to get hot and stay hot. ...
  4. Chill: put food in the fridge right away.
Oct 18, 2023

Can you sell homemade cupcakes? ›

Yes, but with the caveat that you may need a license to do so in your area. If you want to know more about how to sell cupcakes from home locally, you should talk to the local government agency that offers business licensing or the local health authority.

What are non TCS foods examples? ›

On the other hand, some foods are not considered TCS foods. These are dry goods or foods that have low water activity, acid content, or pH level, making them less likely to harbor bacterial growth. Some examples of non-TCS foods include bread, chips, candy, dried beans, uncooked rice, and powdered milk.

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