The importance of food in our society cannot be understated. It features in every facet of our lives, from providing nourishment for survival through to being a means of socialising and cultural celebration. Given its omnipresence, it's unsurprising that food safety is a topic of utmost importance
World Food Safety Day is marked by the World Health Organisation (WHO) annually to prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks and improve human health. The annual event is held on 7 June, with this year's theme being "Safer Food, Better Health".
Testo is at the forefront of providing the right tools to ensure food safety risks are kept to a minimum. To mark the occasion we’ll discuss the category of tools Testo provides to assist Kiwis. Read on as we discuss the categories of food safety tools, their uses, and the risks they help to avoid.
Probe Thermometers
A food safety essential, probe thermometers are used to measure the internal temperature of cooked meat, poultry, and fish. This is important as these foods can often harbour bacteria that can cause food poisoning if not cooked to a high enough temperature
Cooking meat, poultry, and fish to the right temperature will kill any harmful bacteria that may be present. To check that your food has been cooked to the correct temperature, insert the tip of the probe thermometer into the thickest part of the meat without touching any bones.
Testo' range of probe thermometers includes the Testo 1113 Waterproof Probe Thermometer, Testo 108 Digital Food Thermometer, and the Testo Mini Surface Thermometer.
Laser and Infrared Thermometers
Laser and infrared (IR) thermometers are another key food safety tool. They work by measuring the infrared radiation emitted by an object's surface to determine its temperature. These types of thermometers are ideal for checking the temperature of cooking surfaces, deep fryers, ovens, and refrigerator displays
When using a laser or IR thermometer, it is important to hold it perpendicular to the surface being measured. For accurate readings, make sure the area being measured is large enough for the laser beam or IR sensor to fit completely within.
Testo's range of laser and IR thermometers includes the Testo 831 Two Point IR Thermometer, Testo 805 Mini Infrared Food Thermometer, and the Testo 826-T2 Infrared Food Thermometer.
Combination IR Thermometers
A combination IR thermometer is a food safety tool that combines the features of an IR thermometer with those of a traditional contact thermometer. This type of thermometer can measure the temperature of both solid and liquid surfaces
Combination IR thermometers are a versatile food safety tool that can be used in a variety of settings. Testo's range includes the Testo-104-IR Infrared and Probe Thermometer and the Testo-826-T4 Infrared and Probe Combo Food Thermometer.
Digital pH Measures for Food and Drink
pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. The pH scale runs from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral, below 7 being acidic, and above 7 being alkaline
pH plays an important role in food safety as it can affect the growth of bacteria. For example, some bacteria thrive in acidic conditions while others prefer alkaline conditions. As a result, it is important to control the pH of food and drink products to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria
Testo's range of digital pH measures includes the Testo 206-pH 1 pH Meter for Liquids and the Testo 206-pH2 pH Meter for Semi Solid Foods.
Cooking Oil Testers
Cooking oil testers are used to measure the quality of cooking oil. This is important as poor-quality oil can lead to the formation of harmful compounds that can cause food poisoning as well as spoil the taste of the food.
The main quality indicators for cooking oil are acid value, peroxide value, and saponification value. The acid value measures the amount of free fatty acids present in the oil, the peroxide value measures the amount of oxidation that has occurred, and the saponification value measures the amount of soap that has been formed
Testo's range of cooking oil testers includes the Testo 270 Cooking Oil Tester.
Wireless Temperature Monitoring
A wireless temperature monitoring system is a food safety tool that allows you to remotely monitor the temperature of environments that food and drink products are stored in.
This type of system is ideal for use in commercial kitchens, as it allows you to track the temperatures of multiple environments at once. Testo's Saveris 2 is a wireless temperature system with multiple types of monitoring units, including the Testo Savers 2-T3 Wifi Temperature Logger with 2 Inputs and the Testo Saveris 2-H1 Wireless Temperature and Humidity Logger, that allow you to create a tailor-made solution for your requirements.
Aside from those listed above, Testo provides a range of solutions for all ensuring food safety across a wide range of sectors, from hospitality to manufacturing. This includes solutions for:
- Cold Chain Logging
- Food Grade Wipes
- Temperature Logging
- Humidity Logging
- Cook/Cool Validation
- Calibration Services
2022 Significant Contribution to Food Safety Awards
The New Zealand Food Safety Authority's annual Significant Contributor to Food Safety Award is open now for nominations. One of the main purposes of the award is to recognise people that have built and maintained an effective food safety culture through staff engagement, leadership, or continual improvement.
Testo's range of solutions are designed to optimise your business's food safety practices, ensuring your customers stay healthy and your business stays compliant... and perhaps implementing them may give you a chance to win this prestigious award. The recipient will be drawn on 6 July at the 2022 NZIFST Conference.
Testo is New Zealand's Industry Leader in Food Safety Solutions
As the world's leading provider of measurement instruments, Testo has a wide range of solutions for all aspects of food safety. From cooking oil testers to wireless temperature monitoring systems, we have the right solution for your business. Food safety should be a priority every single day, but we are happy that World Food Safety Day is here to create further awareness surrounding it.
Visit our website to see our full range of food safety solutions.