Chapter 4 – Risks related to handling foodstuff
Hygeine is very important when dealing with foodstuffs on the farm. This can relate to the production of foods such a s If the farmer produces cheese, butter or bread. It can also relate to the consumption of food during lunch breaks.
You can find some special precautions relating to the handling offoodstuff and catering on the farm in the checklist below:
Checklist: Handling with foodstuff
If you provide eating areas, locate facilities away from areas where animals are, or where wind blown contaminated material might be present. Preferably locate the eating areas at the end of any farm trail, walk or tour.
- Ensure that visitors have to pass through or by washing facilities before entering eating areas.
- Ensure visitors are advised, e.g. by adequate signage, to wash their hands before eating.
- Exclude animals including captive birds from eating areas. These could contaminate eating areas with faeces. Consider wing clipping or double gates into eating areas and adequate fencing to exclude them.
- Where eating areas are adjacent to animal contact areas, prevent animal contact, e.g. by providing double fencing. This should be positioned at a distance that will prevent visitors reaching through to touch the animals and to prevent animals reaching over or through the fence to contact people.
- Provide adequate waste bins and clear discarded food from eating areas to discourage wild birds and rodents from feeding and contaminating the area.
