Many older adults rely on home-delivered meals to help them recover after a hospital stay or manage chronic conditions. Before selecting a home-delivered meal provider, you may want to learn how they prepare their food:
- Is it handled in a sanitary manner?
- Is it cooked to the right temperature?
- Is it refrigerated properly?
- Is it safe to eat?!
Food Safety & Foodborne Illness
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), roughly 1 in 6 Americans (or 48 million people) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases annually. Although there are multiple causes of foodborne illness, improper temperature control is a common failure in many segments of the foodservice production and distribution chain.
Weak Links In The Cold Chain Can Make Members Sick
The cold chain process has emerged as the most reliable method of assuring food safety. The proper temperature of the food will prevent the growth of harmful bacteria that cause illness. These bacteria are known as pathogens and are responsible for the majority of foodborne related illnesses.
Food safety is not achieved by chance or by luck. It requires a concerted effort by everyone involved in the process. Every member of a food service team must be knowledgeable and dedicated to the necessary steps to keep food safe throughout the entire cold chain. This process will ensure the systems required to keep the chain unbroken, and that safe and nourishing food is always delivered.
Nourishment. Delivered.
Our operations feature high-speed assembly lines, rapid and continuous cooling and freezing equipment, under the guidance of science-based HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) quality assurance and food safety processes. This multi-step process eliminates risks to the disruption of the cold chain.
GA Foods' philosophy on food safety is simple yet effective – safe, and quality food is the result of scientifically sound processes and systems. Our state-of-the-art processing facility is under the continuous inspection of the USDA, Food Safety Inspection Services, as well as the routine regulatory oversight of the FDA, U.S. Military, and other state and local health inspection authorities. All of our operations are conducted under approved and validated HACCP Programs, Food Safety Programs, SSOP, GMP, and Quality Assurance programs. We focus on proper food handling practices, sanitation, and food processing procedures to identify, control, and eliminate physical, chemical, and biological hazards.
We can assure you that your members are in safe hands with us!
