LESSON 3
FIELD FOOD SERVICE SANITATION
Section I. FOOD INSPECTION AND STORAGE
3-1.
IMPORTANCE OF GOOD FOOD SERVICE SANITATION
Food, even the most appetizing, can cause illness if it has become contaminated
with disease-producing organisms through improper handling. Outbreak of food
poisoning, dysentery, and typhoid fever may result from unsanitary practices in kitchens
and dining halls. Persons who handle food must always maintain the highest standards
of personal hygiene and sanitation.
3-2.
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR FOOD SANITATION
a. Commander. Commanders are responsible for the sanitary control of food
served as well as for the enforcement of sanitary regulations and orders that govern the
handling and serving of food. The commander appoints a dining facility officer. This
officer has the duty of supervising food service operations within that command.
b. Army Medical Department. The Army Medical Department (AMEDD) is
responsible for inspecting food and for making sanitary inspections of the food service
facilities and operations.
3-3.
FOOD INSPECTION
All food used in the Army is inspected several times prior to its being issued to a
unit. Specially trained AMEDD personnel, under the supervision of the Veterinary
Corps, perform these inspections. If any sign of spoilage is noticed at the kitchen, the
food must again be inspected and must pass the approval of a representative of the
AMEDD before it may be prepared for serving. Foods grown locally are not used unless
the senior medical advisor approves their use.
3-4.
INSPECTION OF CANNED FOODS
a. Canned Defects. All types of canned foods should be examined carefully for
faulty containers. Spoilage of food within a can is usually indicated by some major
deformity or abnormality in the can itself--rust, large dents, punctures, leakage around
seams, or swelling. Most defective cans are easy to detect. Cans with major defects
should be rejected unless they are inspected by qualified personnel of the AMEDD and
the inspection shows the contents to be safe for consumption. Normal cans have
sunken ends. Three common types of major can defects are listed below.
(NOTE: Dents in cans that result from handling are usually not major defects if the dent
is not in the seam of the can.)
MD0535
3-2