HACCP

Behind the Battle of the Degrees: USDA vs. FDA Cooking Guidelines

If you’ve ever noticed that the USDA and the FDA don’t quite agree on cooking temperatures or the exact boundaries of the “Temperature Danger Zone,” you aren’t imagining things. The apparent contradictions—such as the USDA telling home cooks to cook ground beef to 160°F, while the FDA Food Code tells restaurants 155°F—stem from a fundamental…

📋 UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT AND VENDING – FDA Rules & State Point Deductions Explained

26JunJune 26, 2026 By HRBUniversal

Cracking the Code: How Items #47, #48, and #49 Can Make or Break Your Next Health Inspection Behind every great restaurant meal is a mountain of invisible work—and a strict set of health regulations designed to keep diners safe. When the health inspector walks through the door with their clipboard, three critical sections on the…

📋 PROPER USE OF UTENSILS – FDA Rules & State Point Deductions Explained

25JunJune 25, 2026 By HRBUniversal

Master the Food Code: How to Ace FDA Inspection Items #43 to #46 Maintaining a flawless kitchen isn’t just about delicious food—it’s about passing your health inspection with flying colors. Among the most common pitfalls for commercial kitchens are the “Good Retail Practices” (GRPs), specifically Items #43, #44, #45, and #46 on the FDA Food…

📋 PREVENTION OF FOOD CONTAMINATION – FDA Rules & State Point Deductions Explained

24Jun By HRBUniversal

Mastering the Grid: How Food Retailers Can Ace FDA Inspection Items #38 to #42 For commercial kitchens, a surprise health inspection can feel like a high-stakes exam. While “Risk Factors” like holding temperatures get the most headlines, ignoring Good Retail Practices (GRPs) is one of the quickest ways to tank your inspection score. FDA Food Code…

📋 FOOD IDENTIFICATION – FDA Rules & State Point Deductions Explained

23JunJune 23, 2026 By HRBUniversal

Kitchen Compliance: Why Mislabeling Your Ingredients Costs More Than Just Inspection Points In the fast-paced world of a commercial kitchen, it is easy to lean into convenience. When a bulk shipment of flour, sugar, or a house-made spice blend arrives, transferring it into a more accessible, unlabeled container might seem like a minor shortcut. However,…

📋 FOOD TEMPERATURE CONTROL – FDA Rules & State Point Deductions Explained

22Jun By HRBUniversal

Mastering the Cold Chain: How to Ace Items #33–#36 on Your Next Health Inspection In the restaurant industry, your reputation is only as good as your last health inspection. While high-profile violations like pests or bare-hand contact get the most headlines, commercial kitchens frequently trip up on foundational operational items. Specifically, Items #33 through #36 on…

The Restaurant Manager: A Living HACCP Plan Through Active Managerial Control

28Jul By HRBUniversal

Published on July 28, 2025 Brad Peters, Founder, Director, CEO of HRBUniversal & The Plate & Pour Collective Equity Partner Program In the dynamic world of food service, ensuring the safety of every dish served is paramount. While Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans are the cornerstone of food safety, the true guardians…