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Food trucks tend to have a bad rep when it comes to food safety. Any business that works in food service needs to be vigilant and follow proper protocols. When you own a mobile restaurant business, the safety and health of your employees and your customers should be a top priority.

Keep reading to learn the best safety practices for your food truck. 

1. Properly Train Your Employees 

Your employees should be trained in proper food handling and how to operate the equipment in a food truck. In some states, food service employees must pass a food handler’s course and acquire a permit. These courses teach workers about proper sanitation, food handling and storage, and preventing the spread of food-borne disease. 

The FDA provides a handbook for retail food protection. It helps food service workers to learn essential employee health and hygiene matters. Your employees probably won’t seek out this information on their own, so it’s your job as their employer to stay on top of things.

2. Tell Sick Employees to Stay Home 

If an employee shows up to work sick, you should send them home. The same goes for if they get sick at work. Sick workers can infect food or contaminate the equipment they are working with.  

Additionally, sick workers cannot focus completely, making them prone to accidents or other hazards. This is a big red flag for health inspectors. If the health department finds out sick employees were handling and distributing food, you can face major fines and/or a shutdown.

3. Prepare for Emergencies

Any number of accidents can happen on a food truck. During a lunch-hour rush, it’s easy for someone to misplace a knife or stick a hand where they shouldn’t.

Burns are a typical injury for food truck workers. Have the proper tools to handle hot cookware and never leave hot equipment unattended. Make sure there you have both first aid kit and fire extinguisher in reach.

Physical harm isn’t the only potential emergency to plan for. You should have emergency safety protocols printed in a binder and kept in a secure place in the truck. Make sure all of the employees know the procedure for things like power outages, robberies, car accidents, and more.

4. Perform Regular Inspections 

Schedule times to inspect your truck, and regularly review a health and safety checklist that is specific for food truck owners. Take note of any hazards or potential dangers during your walkthrough. Here are some signs to look for:

• Ensure containers are separated, and there is no cross-contamination between foods (potential allergens, raw, and cooked foods) 
• Check refrigerator and freezer temperatures to make sure food is kept at a safe temperature
• Food containers and storage bins are labeled properly 
• Cleaning supplies are stored away from food products 
• Employees are aware of proper hand washing, cleaning, food preparation, and serving techniques
• The ventilation system is clean and up-to-date 

Having a regular walkthrough gives you the chance to identify problems before they become serious, as well as ensure your employees are aware of your expectations. Consider doing surprise inspections, so you can observe employee behavior when they haven’t had time to do anything differently.

Tips for Keeping Your Food Truck Safe

Food truck safety means having employees that are properly trained and certified in food handling. They should know what to do in the event of an emergency and how to find help. You can encourage safe practices by performing regular inspections and making sure no one is sick on the job.

For more tips on how to run a safe food truck, take a look at the rest of our blog.

Want more food truck advice? Check out more blog posts here!

Thinking about starting a food truck? Request a free custom quote and one of our food truck specialists will help you design the truck of your dreams.

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In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, food trucks are having a huge moment. They make great, affordable food, and it’s easy to social distance when you’re outside! But you may be wondering how they keep themselves clean and follow the health code. 

Just like restaurant owners, food truck owners have to maintain standards. There are several food truck laws pertaining to their cleanliness and maintenance, and food trucks are regularly checked by a health inspector, just like restaurants.

Ease your mind by reading on to find out what you can expect as a food truck owner. 

State-Specific Health Code

Much of what health inspectors check for in a food truck varies from state to state. However, there are a few things that are required in most, if not every, state. These include:

• An up-to-date food handling license
• Visibly clean surface (a no-brainer!)
• No food in the “danger zone” temperature range
• Records of food purchases
• Alcohol license (if applicable)
• All food products are more than six inches off the ground

These are general guidelines, and some states are more strict than others. However, these are all signs that a food truck is being run in a compliant and sanitary way.

Regular Inspections 

Health inspectors generally arrive once or twice a year. They are impartial, and work for the state government. Therefore, a health inspector cannot be bought or bribed, and you can trust they’re giving an honest rating. 

Health inspectors also perform inspections if a business has received a significant number of complaints. If a business performs badly on an inspection, they’ll also run a follow-up to make sure the mistakes were mended. These inspections are often random and unscheduled. 

Food Manager Certification

Again, the requirements vary from state to state, but nearly every state requires a food service license. Foodservice licenses and food manager certifications just verify that you are allowed to serve food. It is the bare minimum of starting a food-centered business. 

This license is often accompanied by a ServSafe certification, which shows you know the proper food handling methods and won’t give your customers salmonella or food poisoning. Some states also have separate food truck permits that are different from the permits required to run a brick-and-mortar restaurant. 

Other Permits and Licenses

In addition to food handling certifications, food truck operators must have a business license and driver’s license. The food truck must also be registered as a commercial vehicle and needs commercial license plates. The process of acquiring these varies from state to state, but the requirement is ubiquitous across the nation.

Ease Your Mind When Serving from a Truck

Though they are lower-tech and more trendy than other restaurants, food trucks must meet a high standard. Any food truck owner worth their salt will know their state’s health code front and back. You want your customers to rest assured that the food you’re serving is safe and compliant. 

Starting your first food truck? We have plenty of advice for both fledgling and experienced food truck owners on our blog. Venture confidently into the world of mobile food service with us!

Want more food truck advice? Check out more blog posts here!

Thinking about starting a food truck? Request a free custom quote and one of our food truck specialists will help you design the truck of your dreams.

Stay up to date on everything Custom Concessions has to offer! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The post Staying Legal: How Food Truck Owners Follow Food Safety and Health Code appeared first on Custom Concessions.

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If you’re a food truck owner, you probably already know it can get as hot as 130°F inside a food truck on the most sweltering of summer days. And that can be dangerous for workers and food alike. 

What you need are strategies to keep your workers cool and your food safety on point. If that’s something you didn’t consider when googling “how to open a food truck,” don’t worry. These summer food truck tips and tricks will keep you in compliance with food safety regulations and protect your workers from heat stroke and dehydration.

1. The Shade Is Your Friend

When you’re already slinging food on a flat-top, the summer sun beating down on your food truck is the last thing you need.

If you can, park in a shady area. You might even consider installing an awning. That will keep your customers more comfortable and allow them to read your menu more easily. It will also cut down on the sun blazing its way into your truck or reflecting off the sidewalk or pavement.

2. Ditch Heat-Producing Appliances When Possible

The oven and refrigerator are a necessary evil. But if there’s anything you’re not using, power it down whenever you can. Even the lights can produce extra heat you don’t need. This will also cut down on your operating costs.

3. Stay Hydrated

Protect yourself and your workers from the summer heat. As a food truck owner, you are responsible for your employees’ safety. Make sure you and your workers drink plenty of water throughout the day. Have water available in a dispenser where employees can refill their water bottles. If you have to, set a timer to remind people it’s time to take a hydration break.

4. Dress Appropriately

If you have a uniform, make sure it’s summer-friendly. Focus on light, breathable fabrics and discourage too many accessories. 

You can also buy mesh cooling towels or keep a wet rag draped around your neck.

5. Get a Breeze Going

Depending on the design of your food truck, you might be able to open doors on one or both sides of the truck to get a cross-breeze going. 

Whether you own a small food truck or a large one, consider investing in some solar-powered fans. They’ll give you some relief without having another appliance to keep on and pay for.

6. Know the Symptoms of Heatstroke

The signs of heatstroke include:

• Red, hot and dry skin
• Lack of sweating
• Cramps and muscle weakness
• Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
• Nausea or vomiting
• Severe headache
• Rapid heartbeat
• Shallow but rapid breathing 
• Confusion, disorientation or difficulty standing or walking
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness 

If you or any of your employees or customers exhibit these symptoms, call 911 immediately. 

7. Keep the Fridge Maintained

An improperly maintained refrigerator is a disaster waiting to happen. Contact a certified mechanic to put together an inspection and maintenance plan. If your fridge goes out in the middle of a hot, busy day, you are likely to lose out on a lot of business.

8. Keep the Refrigerator Door Closed

Opening and closing the fridge door too much lowers the temperature. Consolidate steps by getting everything you might need out as long as it’s safe to do so. And at all other times, keep that door closed!

9. Upgrade Your Storage Containers

Porous containers like cardboard and styrofoam don’t let food cool as quickly when the humidity gets up. They can also promote mold growth. Upgrading your containers can save you a lot of money and headache in the long run. Use metal or polycarbonate storage containers—like Lexan—whenever possible.

10. Upgrade Your Food Truck

If your truck is older or if you’re having trouble keeping the one you have cool, a food truck purchase may be in your future. When operating a food truck business, your truck is your lifeline to a successful and profitable business. The investment is well worth it.

Just keep the tips above in mind when researching which kind of truck you’re going to buy. Things like where the doors are located can affect your decision. 

More Help for the Food Truck Owner

The food truck business involves a lot of special logistics that a brick-and-mortar restauranteur doesn’t have to think about.

Don’t go it alone. Whether you’re a new or seasoned food truck owner, we’re here to help!

Want more food truck advice? Check out more blog posts here!

Thinking about starting a food truck? Request a free custom quote and one of our food truck specialists will help you design the truck of your dreams.

Stay up to date on everything Custom Concessions has to offer! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The post Common Summer Strategies for the Food Truck Owner appeared first on Custom Concessions.