What is the Difference between Food Hygiene and Food Safety

Food safety and hygiene cannot be used interchangeably as they have key differences in meaning and practice. Food hygiene is based on sanitation and cleanliness practices. Food safety is a holistic guide that upholds consumer protection from foodborne hazards. Food hygiene can be considered as part of the complete food safety procedure.

The Main Difference between Food Hygiene and Food Safety

Food hygiene confirms product value and quality. It deals with measures that maintain equipment and facilities cleanliness and proper hygiene. For hygienic food production, washing hands and sanitising surfaces is important. Food hygiene practices prevent bacterial contamination and promote food safety.

On the other hand, food safety is largely concerned with consumer welfare and protecting food from physical, chemical, and microbial contaminants. It involves complete food supply chain safety by following good manufacturing and storage practices. Examples include cooking and storing food at suitable temperatures and protecting food from cross-contamination.

Food Safety & Food Hygiene with Examples

Primary Concern of Food Safety Practices

The primary concern of food safety practices is the prevention of contamination at all stages of the food supply chain.

• Example: In agricultural food production, farmers implement Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) to minimise the risk of contamination. This includes proper irrigation practices, pest management strategies, and worker hygiene protocols.

Primary Concern of Food Hygiene Practices

Food hygiene practices aim to prevent microbial contamination. They help keep the environment clean in food-handling areas, such as kitchens, restaurants, and food-processing facilities. This involves maintaining the cleanliness of surfaces, equipment and employees.

• Example: In a restaurant kitchen, food hygiene practices may include regular handwashing by food handlers. They also include proper cleaning and sanitising of food contact surfaces.

Target Hazards in Food Safety Practices

The main types of hazards encountered in food safety are microbiological, chemical, and physical. Microbiological hazards refer to harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi that can contaminate food and cause illness.

Some of the chemical hazards include cleaning agents, food additives, and pesticides. Physical hazards are any foreign object, such as glass, metal, or plastic, that may accidentally enter food products.

• Example: A microbiological hazard could be the presence of Salmonella bacteria in raw poultry, which can cause food poisoning if not properly cooked. These chemical hazards can be the pesticides left on fruits and vegetables. Pieces of broken glass in a salsa jar could be physical hazards.

Target Hazard of Food Hygiene Practices

Food hygiene measures are specifically aimed at microbiological food contamination that may lead to foodborne diseases. This requires maintaining strict hygiene practices and sanitation standards to reduce the risk of contamination.

• Example: Pest control measures are implemented to prevent food contamination by insects or rodents, which can act as microorganism carriers.

For more information, visit our blog articleFour Common Types of Food Contamination

Standard Regulation of Food Safety Practices

Governments and international organisations set rules and standards to keep food safe and protect people's health. These rules include food labelling, hygiene practices, and inspection standards.

• Example: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is responsible for food safety and hygiene in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Standard Regulation of Food Hygiene Practices

Local health departments and municipal governments impose regulations and standards for food hygiene practices within their jurisdictions. These regulations may include requirements for food handler training, facility inspections, and pest control measures.

• Example: Health inspectors conduct routine inspections of food establishments to oversee compliance with hygiene regulations. They can check food handling procedures, cleanliness facilities and storage of food products.

Key Food Safety Measures

Key measures of food safety include cooking foods to appropriate temperatures to kill harmful bacteria, conducting hazard analysis, and testing food products for contaminants.

• Example: The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system is a preventive approach food businesses use to identify and address potential hazards. This involves conducting a hazard analysis, establishing critical control points (CCPs), and implementing control measures.

Key Food Hygiene Measures

Key measures for maintaining food hygiene include personal hygiene practices among food handlers, such as proper cleaning and sanitation of equipment and facilities. Pest control management is also a step towards food hygiene.

• Example:Food handlers must wash their hands frequently, especially after handling raw meat or using the restroom, to prevent the spread of bacteria.

• Food preparation equipment is washed and sanitised on a regular basis to eliminate food residue or microbial contamination.

• Sealing cracks and crevices is done to prevent the entry and spread of pests carrying microbes in food-handling areas.

Conclusion

While food safety and hygiene are essential aspects of food quality and safety, they cannot be used interchangeably. Food hygiene is primarily concerned with the cleanliness and sanitation of the food handling environment to avoid the contamination of food by microbes. Food safety, on the other hand, is a broader term that focuses on protecting consumers from harmful contaminants and foodborne illnesses throughout the entire food supply chain.