Proper Food Storage

This is the third of a series showing readers the cost effectiveness of using a comprehensive food rotation labeling system in their kitchen. Here we discuss the importance of labeling for the storing function.

Food rotation is critical when storing food products because improperly placed items can result in food spoilage, which in turn requires additional purchases that can deplete a company’s resources.

Because of this, the value of labeling in storing food products is critical. By properly labeling food in the first in, first out (FIFO) system, food service managers will save on food costs, reduce or eliminate cross contamination and food borne illnesses, and streamline employee communication across work shifts.

An independent study conducted by Great Lakes Marketing verified that proper food rotation labeling saves an operator an average of $11,741 per year in labor costs and food waste.

Food service operators who are interested in an effective method for identifying the shelf life of their perishable inventory can use DayMark’s TimeStrip®. The TimeStrip® helps kitchen staff identify and use food products before they expire. It also improves monitoring to help meet HACCP regulatory standards.

HACCP, or Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points system, is a process which uses a combination of proper food handling procedures, monitoring techniques, and record keeping to help ensure food safety.

By instituting an HACCP system, food service managers can identify areas where contamination or growth of microorganisms can occur. Control procedures can then be implemented to contain the problem and prevent future occurrences.

The use of an HACCP system is vital because statistics from the General Accounting Office show that there are between 6.5 and 81 million cases of food borne illnesses a year. This number is staggering, especially when many of these illnesses could have been prevented with the proper food rotation procedures.

To ensure the safety of your food products, DayMark offers specialized labels for each storage facility in your kitchen. DayMark’s Dissolve-A-Way® DissolveMarkTM labels and tapes for dry and cold storage are ideal for food rotation because each label contains space to include the name of the product, use-by date and expiration date. But, unlike permanent adhesive labels, DissolveMarkTM labels dissolve in water in under 30 seconds and leave no sticky residue, which can harbor harmful bacteria.

Call 1-800-847-0101 and ask a customer service representative to help you select the best food rotation labeling
system for your business.