Food Safety Policy

Policy on food, allergies and cultural restrictions

Food safety policy

Truly Scrumptious Early Years Nursery is inspected by Environmental health annually or bi-annually to ensure health and hygiene standards are being met.

Truly Scrumptious is committed to ensuring that safe and healthy practices around the storage, preparation and service of food are maintained throughout the setting.

The setting has set high standards of personal hygiene for all members of staff involved in the handling and preparation of food. Any person showing signs of ill health will not be permitted to handle food.

We make use of the “Safer Foods, Better Business” pack and guidance published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Cleaning of Food Preparation Areas

Every week the fridge is thoroughly cleaned and all items in the fridge are checked for freshness, and all food past their use by or best before date are correctly disposed of.

  • Shelves and drawers are removed and cleaned with warm soapy water.
  • The inside walls are cleaned from top to bottom with anti-bacterial cleaner.
  • The seals around the fridge are cleaned to ensure no spillages or stains.
  • Freezers are defrosted (on non-frost-free) and cleaned once a month following the same procedure.

All food preparation surfaces are wiped clean after use with anti-bacterial cleaner and disposable cloths.

All chopping boards are cleaned after use with warm soapy water, anti-bacterial cleaner and then thoroughly rinsed.

The manager will ensure that appropriate controls are in place to prevent cross contamination and that these controls are documented accordingly.

At Truly Scrumptious Early Years Nursery, we believe that nutritious food and drink are essential for children’s wellbeing.

During meal and snack times, we will always encourage children to gain an understanding of how food and water is an essential part of growing big and strong. Our aim is to meet the dietary and cultural requirements to promote children’s healthy growth and development.

We will ensure that all meals and snacks are nutritious, healthy, and balanced. Children’s medical and personal dietary requirements are always known and respected (Parents/carers are required to provide details when their child is enrolled into the nursery). Multicultural diet is always offered, to make sure those children from all backgrounds encounter familiar tastes and that all children have the opportunity also to try new food. Dietary rules of religious groups, vegetarians/vegans are known and met in an appropriate way, making sure that they are always respected and valued within the setting.

When preparing food, staff (kitchen or general) will observe current legislation regarding food hygiene and training by:

  • Always washing hands with anti-bacterial soap and hot water before and after handling food, using the toilet, or changing nappies.
  • Using clean, disposable cloths
  • Ensuring the use of the correct colour coded chopping boards (e.g., red for raw met etc.)
  • Not being involved in food preparation if they are unwell.
  • Wearing correct sterile clothing- hair net, apron, closed toe shoes etc.
  • Holding a current Food Hygiene certificate.
  • Making sure all fruit and vegetables are washed before being served.
  • Avoid wearing jewellery, especially rings, watches, and bracelets.
  • Any cuts, spots or sores on the hands and arms must be covered completely with a waterproof dressing.
  • Fingernails should be kept short and clean, food handlers, including children should not wear nail varnish as this may contaminate food.

Allergies

The nursery caters for children’s specific dietary needs that may include allergies or food intolerances, or because of religious, cultural, or ethical reasons.

Staff are made aware of children’s specialist requirements through individual care plans and other information provided by parents.

To help us manager the risks associated with food allergies or intolerance the nursery has the following in place.

  • Pre-entry information from parents
  • Induction information from staff
  • Food allergen risk assessment
  • Excellent food hygiene practises (5* rating)
  • Written procedures for children with food related conditions.
  • Place mats with child’s name and food restrictions
  • Red allergy plates and cups
  • Toothpick flags labelled for allergy, dietary, preference, cultural.

 

Temperature control

It is the policy of Truly Scrumptious to ensure that all foods are stored according to safe food handling practises and at the correct temperature in order to prevent the growth and multiplication of food poisoning organisms, to reduce the rate of food spoilage and to ensure that food quality is maintained.

Fridge temperatures are checked and recorded daily to ensure the correct temperature is being upheld.

Safe preparation of food

FOOD

Choking Hazard

Method of Preparation

Cylindrical

Spherical

 

 

 

ONLY SKINLESS OR SAUSAGE MEAT TO BE USED

 

 

 

Cylindrical foods should be cut length ways first and then sliced creating semi-circular pieces

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spherical foods should be sliced into half then sliced again into quarters/ segments.

 

 

Fruits

·         Remove all peel and “stringy bits”.

·         Ensure each segment is PIP free.

·         Cut each segment into smaller 1/3’s. This Prevents choking on large bits or skin.

·         Ensure CORE & PIP free.

·         Ensure sliced ½ then ½ again CONTINUE to ½ each segment until FINLY cut into THIN Segments

·         PEEL SKIN FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN AND ANYONE ELSE WHO IT MAY BE APPROPRIATE FOR

 

 

 

Safe preparation of food for babies

ALWAYS CHECK IN REAGRDS TO:

  • Should their meals be blended?
  • When should lumps be introduced? (How big are the lumps?)
  • Has the parent introduced significant changes such as Lumps at home first and how did the child respond to the change?
  • Is the baby fed using the baby led weaning method? If so, how can we continue this safely within the setting.

Things to remember when feeding a baby.

  • Babies should always sit up while eating and be supervised.
  • Do not hurry the child when eating—allow plenty of time for meals.
  • Only put a small amount of food on the tray at a time.
  • Avoid round, firm foods and large chunks (whole grapes, apple) (see chart above)
  • Cylindrical foods should be to cut lengthwise. (see chart above)
  • Avoid stringy foods like string beans and celery.
  • Avoid commercial white bread products—they can form pasty globs in your baby’s mouth.
  • Offer only a few pieces of food at a time.
  • Cut meat and poultry across the grain, and into tiny fingertip-sized pieces.
  • Food pieces should be no larger than one-half inch in any direction. If in doubt, cut food into smaller pieces. 

ALL CHILDREN SHOULD HAVE FRESH WATER AVAILABLE TO THEM DURING MEALTIMES!

 

Policy reviewed Brittany V – Manager – 06/04/2023

Truly Scrumptious Early Years Nursery is inspected by Environmental health annually or bi-annually to ensure health and hygiene standards are being met.

Truly Scrumptious is committed to ensuring that safe and healthy practices around the storage, preparation and service of food are maintained throughout the setting.

The setting has set high standards of personal hygiene for all members of staff involved in the handling and preparation of food. Any person showing signs of ill health will not be permitted to handle food.

We make use of the “Safer Foods, Better Business” pack and guidance published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Cleaning of Food Preparation Areas

Every week the fridge is thoroughly cleaned and all items in the fridge are checked for freshness, and all food past their use by or best before date are correctly disposed of.

  • Shelves and drawers are removed and cleaned with warm soapy water.
  • The inside walls are cleaned from top to bottom with anti-bacterial cleaner.
  • The seals around the fridge are cleaned to ensure no spillages or stains.
  • Freezers are defrosted (on non-frost-free) and cleaned once a month following the same procedure.

All food preparation surfaces are wiped clean after use with anti-bacterial cleaner and disposable cloths.

All chopping boards are cleaned after use with warm soapy water, anti-bacterial cleaner and then thoroughly rinsed.

The manager will ensure that appropriate controls are in place to prevent cross contamination and that these controls are documented accordingly.

At Truly Scrumptious Early Years Nursery, we believe that nutritious food and drink are essential for children’s wellbeing.

During meal and snack times, we will always encourage children to gain an understanding of how food and water is an essential part of growing big and strong. Our aim is to meet the dietary and cultural requirements to promote children’s healthy growth and development.

We will ensure that all meals and snacks are nutritious, healthy, and balanced. Children’s medical and personal dietary requirements are always known and respected (Parents/carers are required to provide details when their child is enrolled into the nursery). Multicultural diet is always offered, to make sure those children from all backgrounds encounter familiar tastes and that all children have the opportunity also to try new food. Dietary rules of religious groups, vegetarians/vegans are known and met in an appropriate way, making sure that they are always respected and valued within the setting.

When preparing food, staff (kitchen or general) will observe current legislation regarding food hygiene and training by:

  • Always washing hands with anti-bacterial soap and hot water before and after handling food, using the toilet, or changing nappies.
  • Using clean, disposable cloths
  • Ensuring the use of the correct colour coded chopping boards (e.g., red for raw met etc.)
  • Not being involved in food preparation if they are unwell.
  • Wearing correct sterile clothing- hair net, apron, closed toe shoes etc.
  • Holding a current Food Hygiene certificate.
  • Making sure all fruit and vegetables are washed before being served.
  • Avoid wearing jewellery, especially rings, watches, and bracelets.
  • Any cuts, spots or sores on the hands and arms must be covered completely with a waterproof dressing.
  • Fingernails should be kept short and clean, food handlers, including children should not wear nail varnish as this may contaminate food.

Allergies

The nursery caters for children’s specific dietary needs that may include allergies or food intolerances, or because of religious, cultural, or ethical reasons.

Staff are made aware of children’s specialist requirements through individual care plans and other information provided by parents.

To help us manager the risks associated with food allergies or intolerance the nursery has the following in place.

  • Pre-entry information from parents
  • Induction information from staff
  • Food allergen risk assessment
  • Excellent food hygiene practises (5* rating)
  • Written procedures for children with food related conditions.
  • Place mats with child’s name and food restrictions
  • Red allergy plates and cups
  • Toothpick flags labelled for allergy, dietary, preference, cultural.

 

Temperature control

It is the policy of Truly Scrumptious to ensure that all foods are stored according to safe food handling practises and at the correct temperature in order to prevent the growth and multiplication of food poisoning organisms, to reduce the rate of food spoilage and to ensure that food quality is maintained.

Fridge temperatures are checked and recorded daily to ensure the correct temperature is being upheld.

Safe preparation of food

FOOD

Choking Hazard

Method of Preparation

Cylindrical

Spherical

 

 

 

ONLY SKINLESS OR SAUSAGE MEAT TO BE USED

 

 

 

Cylindrical foods should be cut length ways first and then sliced creating semi-circular pieces

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spherical foods should be sliced into half then sliced again into quarters/ segments.

 

 

Fruits

·         Remove all peel and “stringy bits”.

·         Ensure each segment is PIP free.

·         Cut each segment into smaller 1/3’s. This Prevents choking on large bits or skin.

·         Ensure CORE & PIP free.

·         Ensure sliced ½ then ½ again CONTINUE to ½ each segment until FINLY cut into THIN Segments

·         PEEL SKIN FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN AND ANYONE ELSE WHO IT MAY BE APPROPRIATE FOR

 

 

 

Safe preparation of food for babies

ALWAYS CHECK IN REAGRDS TO:

  • Should their meals be blended?
  • When should lumps be introduced? (How big are the lumps?)
  • Has the parent introduced significant changes such as Lumps at home first and how did the child respond to the change?
  • Is the baby fed using the baby led weaning method? If so, how can we continue this safely within the setting.

Things to remember when feeding a baby.

  • Babies should always sit up while eating and be supervised.
  • Do not hurry the child when eating—allow plenty of time for meals.
  • Only put a small amount of food on the tray at a time.
  • Avoid round, firm foods and large chunks (whole grapes, apple) (see chart above)
  • Cylindrical foods should be to cut lengthwise. (see chart above)
  • Avoid stringy foods like string beans and celery.
  • Avoid commercial white bread products—they can form pasty globs in your baby’s mouth.
  • Offer only a few pieces of food at a time.
  • Cut meat and poultry across the grain, and into tiny fingertip-sized pieces.
  • Food pieces should be no larger than one-half inch in any direction. If in doubt, cut food into smaller pieces. 

ALL CHILDREN SHOULD HAVE FRESH WATER AVAILABLE TO THEM DURING MEALTIMES!

 

Policy reviewed Brittany V – Manager – 06/04/2023

Safe preparation of food for babies

ALWAYS CHECK IN REAGRDS TO:

  • Should their meals be blended?
  • When should lumps be introduced? (How big are the lumps?)
  • Has the parent introduced significant changes such as Lumps at home first and how did the child respond to the change?
  • Is the baby fed using the baby led weaning method? If so, how can we continue this safely within the setting.

Things to remember when feeding a baby.

  • Babies should always sit up while eating and be supervised.
  • Do not hurry the child when eating—allow plenty of time for meals.
  • Only put a small amount of food on the tray at a time.
  • Avoid round, firm foods and large chunks (whole grapes, apple) (see chart above)
  • Cylindrical foods should be to cut lengthwise. (see chart above)
  • Avoid stringy foods like string beans and celery.
  • Avoid commercial white bread products—they can form pasty globs in your baby’s mouth.
  • Offer only a few pieces of food at a time.
  • Cut meat and poultry across the grain, and into tiny fingertip-sized pieces.
  • Food pieces should be no larger than one-half inch in any direction. If in doubt, cut food into smaller pieces. 

ALL CHILDREN SHOULD HAVE FRESH WATER AVAILABLE TO THEM DURING MEALTIMES!

 

Policy reviewed Brittany V – Manager – 06/04/2023

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