Owning a restaurant, a cafe or even a sandwich shop are booming businesses.
People love to eat. So visiting their favorite establishments is a way
of life. There is nothing like getting your favorite meal at your favorite
place. An important part of these establishments is an adequate commercial
refrigeration system. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has established
guidelines for food safety. Part of that requires a refrigeration system
that not only allows for adequate storage but one that is also functioning
properly to allow food to be stored at the proper temperature.
Refrigeration helps slow the growth of bacteria which is present is almost everything in this natural world. Most refrigeration units must be set for 40 °F or below to fully protect the food from bacteria growth. According to the USDA website there are two main forms of bacteria:
Pathogenic bacteria can grow rapidly in the “Danger Zone,” the temperature range between 40 and 140 °F, but they do not generally affect the taste, smell, or appearance of a food. In other words, one cannot tell that a pathogen is present.
Spoilage bacteria can grow at low temperatures, such as in the refrigerator. Eventually they cause food to develop off or bad tastes and smells. Most people would not choose to eat spoiled food, but if they did, they probably would not get sick.
Having your commercial refrigeration system on a routine maintenance schedule is important. One day with a broken system can not only cost in repairs but can end up costing you thousands in profit loss. If you serve food that is not stored at the right temperature you also risk someone getting sick if that food is served to them. This opens the doorway to potential lawsuits which again, can cost you thousands of dollars.
Having your system checked once a month or at least once a quarter is vital to ensuring that your system is working at full capacity. The safety of your food is important. While proper refrigeration is just one part of the process, it is an important part. Contact us today to learn how we can set you up on a maintenance schedule.