Tag Archives: food safety

Important Advice about Food Safety and Ramadhaan

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

As the hearts look forward to the month of Ramadhaan and all the goodness our Lord brings us within it, it can be noted that sometimes we behave with some level of heedlessness about dunyaa (worldly) matters, which might lead to considerable harm to ourselves, our family, and/or our entire Muslim community. This article addresses one such concern about food safety.

Whether you host a gathering at your home, help serve catered food at an Islamic center, or get involved in any level of serving food, you should know about the most recent guidelines by food safety experts regarding the preservation and storage of leftovers.

THE DANGER ZONE

USDA guidelines are based on scientific studies of how fast bacteria develops and grows in foods left at certain temperatures. One of the most important of those guidelines is the two-hour rule. Foods left out for serving without any warming device should be stored within two hours. Studies shows that after two hours, when food is left out in the danger zone, i.e., between 40° F and 140° F, bacteria within it grows much more rapidly, in a way that can be hazardous to our health, especially for our children, elders, and those more sensitive or vulnerable!

Bacteria grow rapidly between the temperatures of 40° F and 140° F. After food is safely cooked, hot food must be kept hot at 140° F or warmer to prevent bacterial growth. Within 2 hours of cooking food or after it is removed from an appliance keeping it warm, leftovers must be refrigerated. Throw away all perishable foods that have been left in room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if the temperature is over 90° F, such as at an outdoor picnic during summer).

Source: Leftovers and Food Satefy (USDA)

I strongly advise that we give careful consideration to the following matters:

1. These are government guidelines, based on scientific analysis of empirical data, not simply “What So-and-So has been doing for years…,”  and, “Nobody got sick…,” etc., claims that are not based on any actual follow-up or study, just whimsical claims. Community leaders need to take these issues very seriously and not dismiss them based on “what we’ve been doing” or other claims. Continue reading →

Top Ten Products That Can Help Our Community Maintain Essential Food Safety Standards

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*This article features affiliate links, through which we may earn a small commission which helps maintain our website and da’wah activities, so we thank you, jazaakum Allahu khayran!

If you have not read our recent article about the importance of knowing and applying food safety standards at community events, please read it now:

Important Advice about Food Safety and Ramadhan

The following is an updated list of products available for purchase which can help our communities uphold and maintain essential standards of food safety in Ramadhan, the Eid gatherings, and at any time we come together for community meals.

1. Chefman Electric Warming Tray with Adjustable Temperature Control

Keep your trays of food safely warm with this highly-rated and convenient large warming surface. It is big enough to keep a large tray (21″x13″) warm for hours while you attend class, pray, or socialize, and then return to the food for seconds. A typical serving station for hot foods at a small to medium gathering might need three or four of these. Keep hot foods at a temperature above 140° F.

ON AMAZON (affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJ3HR489?tag=144205-20

2. Slightly Larger Electric Warming Tray (31.5″ × 17.7″)

This larger warming tray is also highly rated, offering considerably more surface space.

ON AMAZON (affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNQQB4YN?tag=144205-20

 

3. Digital Thermometer (Instant Read, Waterproof, with Backlight)

This inexpensive tool is great for quick checks to make sure our hot foods stay above 140° F when left out on our warming trays.

ON AMAZON (affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C37DLHWW?tag=144205-20

4. Five-Tray Warming Cabinet (Electric) (for Smaller Gatherings)

This is good for keeping right at the place of serving, just before serving the food. If the food is usually consumed completely, this might be a better option than the warming trays (#1 and #2).

ON AMAZON (affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZWTJZBL?tag=144205-20

5. Larger Full-Tray/Pan Warming Cabinet (For Larger Centers/Gatherings)

This larger version of #6 is good for keeping right at the place of serving, just before serving the food. If the food is usually consumed completely, this might be a better option than the warming trays (#1 and #2). This is commercial grade and highly rated.

ON AMAZON (affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C2J8VHZ?tag=144205-20

6. Set of Four Stainless Steel Chafing/Serving Dishes With Lids

These steel chafing dishes come with lids and folding frames, and even two places underneath each tray to place small burners to keep the trays warm (above 140° F). These are an excellent alternative to the warming trays (#1 and #2) above, commercially graded and highly rated.

ON AMAZON (affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C8CTNQ2B?tag=144205-20

7. Set of 24 Stainless Steel Large Serving Utensils (8 Spoons, 8 Slotted Spoons, 8 Tongs)

These serving spoons are stainless steel. They are well-priced for such a large quantity and variety. You might only need a few for each service, but you can never have too many serving utensils! IYKYK

ON AMAZON (affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C2H991T3?tag=144205-20

8. Commercial Grade Freezer (36 Cubic Feet), Stainless Steel, Double Doors, Large Capacity

This for when you have occasional gatherings. (You do not need to freeze leftovers when you are having daily Ramadhan service!) Easily store all your trays of food in this massive freezer.

ON AMAZON (affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJRBKVKW?tag=144205-20

9. Commercial Grade Refrigerator (49 Cubic Feet), Double Doors, Large Capacity

Excellent for the daily meals of Ramadhan. Easily store all your trays of food (hot and cold alike) for the next day in this massive stainless-steel refrigerator.

ON AMAZON (affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8HJY4RQ?tag=144205-20

10. Four-Pack of Full-Size Stainless Steel Pans (4″ Deep), With Lids

These commercial grade stainless steel pans work really well with the warming units, servers, and refrigerator and freezer units listed above.

ON AMAZON (affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5CV13FM?tag=144205-20

HONORABLE MENTION (1): Full-Size Disposable Aluminum Pans (21″x13″) for Storage and Serving

These are full-size trays for cooking, serving, and storing large dishes. They fit perfectly onto the surface of the Chefman Warming Tray above (#1). These are also great for take-away trays for large families to grab some leftovers. Long-term storage pans for day-to-day re-heating are coming up soon in the list, in shaa’ Allah.

ON AMAZON (affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086WM7W6L?tag=144205-20

HONORABLE MENTION (2): Half-Size Disposable Aluminum Pans (13″x9″) for Storage and Serving

These are half-size trays for cooking, serving, and storing large dishes. Two of them fit perfectly onto the surface of the Chefman Warming Tray above (#1). These are also great for take-away trays for community members to grab some leftovers. Long-term storage pans for day-to-day re-heating are coming up soon in the list, in shaa’ Allah.

ON AMAZON (affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MSMKY72?tag=144205-20

HONORABLE MENTION (3): 100-Pack Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil Disposable Take-Away Individual Meal Containers With Lids

These are great for smaller, individual meals taken home from your service, taken hot from your warming tray or chafing dish, and kept warm until your community members get home, in shaa’ Allah. NOTE: Do not use plastic or Styrofoam clamshell trays for hot foods! (See this)

ON AMAZON (affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FLQ7VWP?tag=144205-20

Again, this article features affiliate links, through which we may earn a small commission which helps maintain our website and da’wah activities, so we thank you, jazaakum Allahu khayran!