Arguably, more than almost any other institutional setting, school kitchens are required to meet the highest and most stringent health standards. Schools must stay up to date with any changes in regulations and ensure that their kitchens meet all health code and food safety requirements.

Without strict adherence to health and safety regulations, school kitchens can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria or a source of cross-contamination that can lead to outbreaks. Stringent adherence to commercial kitchen regulations is crucial to protect the well-being of students and staff.

At Southern Green Industries, we understand the pressure school kitchens are under to keep their food preparation facilities and their campuses pristine. Our efficient services help school kitchens maintain compliance with safety and watershed management/public works department regulations to reduce the risk of sewer line clogs and sewage backups. We work hard to eliminate the worst-case scenario from school administrators’ minds, whether that’s an extreme biohazard scenario caused by a sewage backup or a lawsuit from a slip and fall accident or workplace injury caused by waste fryer oil spills or accidents.

Health and Safety Regulations for School Kitchens in Atlanta

Food Safety Standards

• Kitchen workers must wash hands regularly for at least 20 seconds under hot water

• Foods must be cooked at appropriate temperatures with commercial-grade equipment



• Cooking utensils and cutlery must not be used for multiple foods that pose a risk of cross-contamination

Sanitation Standards

• Work surfaces, floors and equipment need to be cleaned and sanitized at the appropriate frequency

• Grease traps must be regularly cleaned and maintained to prevent blockages and foul odors

• Waste must be disposed of properly to prevent pest infestations and other health hazards

Staff Requirements

• Kitchen staff are required to have valid food handling licenses and food allergy training

• A certified kitchen manager must be present to monitor staff during food preparation and service

• Staff must wear clean clothes and hair restraints

Kitchen Layout and Design

• Kitchens must have dedicated, sufficiently spaced-apart areas for food preparation, cooking and cleaning to reduce the risk of overcrowding, cross-contamination and accidents

• Kitchens are required to have reliable ventilation to remove heat, smoke and odors from the building’s interior

• Equipment must be strategically located to minimize accident risks – for example, deep fryers must be placed away from walkways to lower the risk of hot oil injuries

Temperature Control

• Foods must be stored at safe temperatures, with cold foods kept at or below 40°F and hot foods kept at or above 140°F

• Facility and equipment temperatures must be regularly monitored and logged in detailed reports to ensure they’re safe to handle food

Allergen Management

• Food that contains common allergens like nuts, dairy and gluten must be clearly labeled
  
  
• Staff must be trained on emergency protocol in the event of an allergic reaction
  
  
• Contaminant warning labels must be on raw or undercooked food – while this is uncommon in a school kitchen, eggs and Caesar salads are two common examples of foods that require labeling

Emergency Preparedness

• Staff must receive thorough training on how to respond to emergency situations, such as allergic reactions, respiratory distress and fires
  
  
• Kitchens are required to keep fully stocked first aid kits readily available
  
  
• There must be procedures in place to respond to fryer oil spills to reduce the risk of injuries and health hazards

Documentation and Record-Keeping

• Schools must keep detailed records pertaining to the condition and continued maintenance of their kitchen, including inspection reports, training records and service manifests. At Southern Green Industries, we’ll take care of the grease trap manifest paperwork for you, sending manifests in any format to local and state inspectors on your behalf.

Hire a Team That’s Been Providing Efficient Grease Trap Cleaning and Fryer Oil Recycling Services for Atlanta Schools for Over 15 Years

Hire the team at Southern Green Industries for one-time grease trap service or partner with us to receive reliable grease trap cleaning and fryer oil recycling services on a schedule that makes sense for your institution.

Call (404) 419-6887 to get a free personalized quote for commercial services today.