Food Consulting Services

28/10/2025

🥴 How does food poisoning really happen?

It’s not bad luck — it’s usually caused by:

1. Dirty hands or surfaces
2. Warm food sitting too long
3. Hidden bacteria multiplying
4. Food being eaten before anyone knows it’s unsafe

✅ Good hygiene and temperature control break the chain.

📍 Read the full guide: https://foodconsulting.co.za/how-food-poisoning-happens/

Tag someone who works with food every day!

How Food Poisoning Happens — And How to Prevent It Food poisoning doesn’t happen by chance. It occurs when harmful micro-organisms — such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites — enter food, multiply, and are eaten. If conditions allow, these pathogens grow to levels that can cause illness or

02/09/2025

🥄 Is your cookware helping or hurting your food safety?
Aluminium utensils may be cheap and lightweight — but they:
❌ Scratch and warp easily
❌ Leach into acidic foods
❌ Can’t be cleaned in carbon-soak systems
❌ Have a short lifespan

✅ Stainless steel is tougher, safer, and lasts longer.

📍 Read our full comparison here:
https://foodconsulting.co.za/aluminium-utensils-commercial-kitchens/

💬 Tag your head chef or kitchen manager!

The Risks of Aluminium Utensils in Commercial Kitchens — And Why Stainless Steel Is Better When it comes to cookware in commercial kitchens, the material matters. Aluminium utensils are often chosen for being lightweight and inexpensive — but they come with significant drawbacks. In high-pressur...

26/08/2025

👩‍🔬 Enterobacteriaceae — heard of it?
This family of bacteria includes E. coli and Salmonella, both of which can cause serious illness.
Testing is essential for:
✔️ Fresh produce
✔️ Ready-to-eat foods
✔️ Dairy
✔️ Meat and poultry

💡 FCS is a SANAS-accredited food lab, helping you protect your customers and stay compliant.

📎 Learn more:
https://foodconsulting.co.za/enterobacteriaceae-food-testing-south-africa/

💬 Tag someone responsible for food safety in your kitchen or factory!

Enterobacteriaceae in Food: Understanding the Risks and the Importance of Testing Enterobacteriaceae is a large family of bacteria that includes both harmless and pathogenic species — some of which are responsible for serious foodborne illnesses. In South Africa’s food industry, routine testing ...

19/08/2025

🥴 Vomiting just 1 hour after eating?
It could be Bacillus cereus, a common foodborne bacteria found in cooked rice, sauces, soups, and more.
🔥 Don’t take the risk — especially if your food is stored or reheated incorrectly.
Food Consulting Services offers fast, reliable Bacillus cereus testing to keep your business compliant and your customers safe.

📍 Read more:
https://foodconsulting.co.za/bacillus-cereus-food-testing-south-africa/

💬 Tag a food handler, chef, or kitchen manager who should see this!

Bacillus cereus in Food: Why Testing Matters for Your Customers and Your Reputation Bacillus cereus is a bacterium that can cause food poisoning when found in contaminated food. Though naturally present in soil and the environment, it becomes a serious concern when it makes its way into prepared

12/08/2025

🩹 First Aid Can’t Wait.
Every commercial kitchen in South Africa must have a fully equipped first aid kit — it’s not just smart, it’s the law.

💥 From burns and cuts to slips and eye injuries — being prepared can make all the difference.

➡️ Find out what you need, what the law says, and download our FREE kitchen-specific checklist.

📍 https://foodconsulting.co.za/commercial-kitchen-first-aid-kit-south-africa/

💬 Tag someone who runs a kitchen or manages staff!

First Aid in the Kitchen: Why Every Commercial Kitchen in South Africa Must Be Prepared Commercial kitchens are fast-paced, high-pressure environments — with sharp knives, hot oil, heavy pots, and slippery floors all part of daily operations. Accidents happen quickly, and when they do, having a we...

05/08/2025

🧼 Grease builds up fast — even in clean-looking kitchens.
In South Africa, extractor hoods in commercial kitchens must be professionally deep cleaned to meet food safety regulations and avoid insurance issues.
💡 Find out why deep cleaning is essential, what inspectors and insurers look for, and how to stay compliant.

➡️ Read more here:https://foodconsulting.co.za/deep-cleaning-extraction-hoods-south-africa/

💬 Tag someone who manages a kitchen!

Deep Cleaning Extraction Hoods in South African Kitchens: A Must for Safety and Compliance In every commercial kitchen — whether it’s a hotel, restaurant, canteen, or food production facility — extraction hoods play a crucial role. They remove heat, grease, smoke, and odours from the air, help...

10/06/2025

🦠 Not all bacteria need oxygen to cause problems.
Anaerobic bacteria can spoil your food — or worse, make someone sick.
🥫 Found in canned, vacuum-packed, and processed foods, they’re a hidden risk.

✅ Learn why testing matters and how FCS can help:
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07/06/2025

Today is World Food Safety Day, and this year’s theme is “Science in Action”.

At Food Consulting Services, we bring that science to life — testing food, auditing kitchens, and helping clients take real steps to protect their customers.

Safe food doesn’t happen by accident — it happens through science.

Read more about how FCS supports food safety across South Africa:
👉

World Food Safety Day 2025: Science in Action with Food Consulting Services 📅 7 June marks World Food Safety Day, a global call to action to ensure the food we eat is safe, clean, and trusted. This year’s theme — “Science in Action” —

03/06/2025

🚫🐜 Pests have no place in food production! Ensuring a pest-free environment is crucial for food safety and compliance in South Africa.

✅ Seal entry points
✅ Keep food stored securely
✅ Maintain strict hygiene standards
✅ Work with licensed pest control experts

Don’t let pests put your business at risk!
👉 Click here to learn more: https://foodconsulting.co.za/prevent-pest-related-food-contamination-sa/

Preventing Pest-Related Food Contamination in South Africa Pest control is a critical aspect of food safety in South Africa. Food production facilities must implement proactive measures to prevent contamination, comply with regulations, and maintain high hygiene standards. From pest-proofing to enga...

27/05/2025

Did you know?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a hidden threat in foods like salads, dairy, and deli meats. It can spoil your product and make customers sick.

Testing is the only way to stay ahead.

✅ Learn why testing matters and how FCS can help:
https://foodconsulting.co.za/pseudomonas-aeruginosa-food-testing/

Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Food: Why Testing is Essential for Safety and Shelf Life Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a type of bacteria that can thrive in moist, nutrient-rich environments — including some of the foods we eat every day. While it may not always cause illness, it poses a

11/03/2025

Thinking of starting a restaurant? 🏪🍽️

Before you open your doors, your kitchen must meet food safety regulations and pass an inspection for a Certificate of Acceptability (COA).

✅ Maintain strict hygiene standards
✅ Use food-safe cleaning chemicals
✅ Train staff on food handling & sanitation
✅ Keep pests out & follow R638 guidelines

Avoid delays and costly mistakes—get it right from the start!
👉 Click here to learn more: https://foodconsulting.co.za/restaurant-kitchen-approval-sa/

How to Get Your Restaurant Kitchen Approved in South Africa Starting a restaurant is exciting, but before serving your first dish, your kitchen must meet South Africa’s legal food safety requirements. Compliance ensures food safety, protects customers, and avoids costly penalties. Here’s what yo...

04/03/2025

🚨 Unpasteurised dairy—what’s the risk? While some believe raw milk is healthier, it can harbour harmful bacteria like Listeria and E. coli.

✅ What is pasteurisation?
✅ The dangers of raw dairy
✅ Myths vs. facts about milk safety

Don’t take chances with food borne illness.

👉 Read more here: https://foodconsulting.co.za/unpasteurised-dairy-risks/

Unpasteurised Dairy: Understanding the Risks & Why Pasteurisation Matters Dairy is a staple in many diets, but the debate over pasteurised vs unpasteurised (raw) dairy continues. While some consumers believe raw dairy has health benefits, public health authorities warn of serious foodborne illness r...