Doggy Bags Factsheet 2 August 2021 Contents Doggy

doggy bags factsheet 2 august 2021 contents ======== doggy bags 3 the law 3 associated risks 3 minimisin

Doggy Bags
Factsheet
2 August 2021

Contents
========
Doggy Bags 3
The law 3
Associated risks 3
Minimising risks 3
Proprietors: 3
Consumers: 3
For more information: 4
Doggy Bags
==========
The term ‘doggy bag’ refers to the leftovers of a restaurant meal that
are taken home for the family pet. However, many customers consume
these leftovers themselves. Once a doggy bag is given out, it becomes
the property of the consumer. Therefore, it is the responsibility of
the consumer to store and handle this food safely to minimise the risk
of food poisoning.
The law
-------
The Victorian Food Act 1984 does not prohibit restaurants and cafes
from giving doggy bags to customers, but this food may become unsafe
for human consumption. It is at the discretion of the food business
whether they provide this service or not.
Associated risks
----------------
Doggy bags differ from normal takeaway food items that are intended to
be eaten away from the premises and are served in a takeaway container
at the appropriate temperature: hot foods are served at 60oC or higher
and cold foods at 5oC or lower. Doggy bags can be exposed to the
following hazards:
*
Food kept unrefrigerated for too long.
*
Food that has been kept for too long.
*
Food that has not been suitably reheated.
*
Food that has been touched with unwashed hands.
*
Food that has been transported and/or stored incorrectly.
Minimising risks
----------------
Proprietors:
*
Have a procedure in your Food Safety Program for dealing with
doggy bags.
*
Advise the customer against giving the doggy bag food to any high
risk group or persons with food allergies.
*
Some foods may not be suitable for a doggy bag e.g. If it has been
outside temperature control for a given period (for service or
display), or if it has already been reheated. In such instances,
you must advise the customer accordingly.
*
Document such information as date, time, food, customer’s details
and advice given. This will act as a useful record, should any
queries regarding the doggy bag later arise.
*
Transfer food into new, unused food-grade containers.
Consumers:
*
Follow the advice given by the restaurant.
*
Refrigerate the food as soon as possible. Food left out of the
fridge for longer than two hours may become unsafe due to
bacterial growth and should be discarded.
*
When reheating food, it should be heated until piping hot/steaming
all the way through.
*
Food which is not eaten within 24 hours should be thrown away.
*
Do not give the food to high risk groups and/or persons with food
allergies.
*
If in doubt, throw it out.
For more information:
---------------------
Visit Food safety when eating out1Department of Health and Human
Services Victoria or contact your Environmental Health Officer at the
Health Services Branch on 9658 8831.
1
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/food-safety-when-eating-out