Safety and Sanitation Letters

​Safety and Sanitation Letters

By Matthew Douthit

Safety and Sanitation Letters

Two things must be determined...

1. Food Quality or Food Safety

2. Food Contamination:

   1. Biological

   2. Chemical

   3. Physical

Food Safety refers to the possibility that an illness or injury may be caused by consuming a food. Anything in a food that would cause this would be considered a “Food Safety” concern.

Food Safety

Food Quality refers to the color, flavor, texture, and nutritional value of a food. When quality is compromised a food may: loose/change color, have less flavor, change in texture, and/or nutritional value may decline. Anything that causes a food to loose its appeal would be considered a “Food Quality” concern.

Food Quality

Biological contaminants include bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic organisms and/or their toxins.

Spoilage Bacteria – Bacteria that cause changes to the taste, texture, and/or odor of a food. They will not likely pose a risk of making someone sick.
Pathogenic Bacteria – Bacteria that lead to food-borne illnesses. A few of the common bacteria in this class are: E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, Clostridium botulinum, and Staphylococcus aureus.

Biological

Items that become part of the food from the natural environment or contaminated during processing/packaging. Common types of physical contaminants include metal, glass, plastic, wood, jewelry, insect parts, dirt, stones, hair, seeds, etc.

A physical contaminant is a food safety hazard when is has the potential to cause injury to a consumer. Examples include choking, cut mouth, broken tooth.

Physical

Naturally Occurring – Proteins associated with Allergens. Major allergens, which account for 90% of all food allergic reactions, are milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, and soybeans.

Added– Pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, plant chemicals (cleaners, lubricants, sanitizers, adhesives, inks), and food additives (when they exceed legal levels)

Chemical

Letter #1

Multiple Choice

Which Issue was Letter #1:

• Food Quality

• Food Safety

Multiple Choice

How would you classify the food issue in Letter #1:

• Biological

• Chemical

• Physical

Letter #2

Multiple Choice

Which Issue was letter #2

• Food Quality

• Food Safety

Multiple Choice

How would you classify the food issue in Letter #2:

• Biological

• Chemical

• Physical

November 10, 2025

Ms. Sarah Jennings, President
Heartland Foods Inc.
870 County Road 8
Lexington, KY 40504

Dear Ms. Jennings:

Last week, I purchased a package of your Heartland Country Style Chicken Tenders from the Kroger in Ashland, Kentucky. While preparing the meal for my family, I discovered a small piece of clear plastic embedded within one of the tenders.

I am deeply concerned about this contamination and the potential risk to consumers, especially children. I discarded the entire package for safety reasons.

I would like to know what corrective actions your company is taking to prevent foreign materials from entering food products during processing. As a loyal customer, I value your commitment to food safety and hope this issue is addressed promptly.

Sincerely,
Taylor Morgan
106 Elm Street
Ashland, KY 41102

Letter #3

Multiple Choice

Which Issue was letter #3

• Food Quality

• Food Safety

Multiple Choice

How would you classify the food issue in Letter #3:

• Biological

• Chemical

• Physical

Letter #4

November 10, 2025

Mr. John Walters, Customer Service Director
Green Valley Produce
125 Market Street
Charleston, WV 25311

Dear Mr. Walters:

On November 3, 2025, I purchased a bag of your Green Valley Fresh Spinach from the local Foodland store. Upon opening the package, I noticed the label listed “washed and ready to eat,” yet there was visible dirt and grit on several leaves.

Because of this, I had to discard the product to avoid the risk of foodborne illness. I rely on accurate labeling when choosing ready-to-eat foods, and this incident caused concern about your company’s sanitation and quality control procedures.

Please ensure that packaging and labeling accurately reflect product conditions to maintain consumer trust. I would appreciate your response and reassurance regarding your company’s sanitation practices.

Sincerely,
Morgan Davis
RR #2 Box 19
Hurricane, WV 25526

Multiple Choice

Which Issue was letter #4

• Food Quality

• Food Safety

Multiple Choice

How would you classify the food issue in Letter #4

• Biological

• Chemical

• Physical