Doggy bags
There can be risks when doggy bags are given to customers. Food businesses and customers should be aware of these risks and how they can be reduced.
Food purchased by a customer at a food business becomes the property of that customer. It is not illegal to provide doggy bags and it may be seen as poor customer service if a business refuses to provide a doggy bag. Customers can bring their own containers to take left over food.
Risks of doggy bags
Doggy bags differ from normal takeaway foods as takeaways are intended for immediate consumption and are served in an appropriate container at the correct temperature. That is, hot foods is hot (60°C or hotter) and cold food is cold (5°C or colder).
Risks for doggy bags can include:
- customers not storing the food correctly ie not placing it in the fridge or not reheating it to steaming hot
- customers keeping the food longer than intended
- unhygienic handling by the consumer
- contamination from other sources once it has left the food business.
Reduce the risk
If a customer requests a doggy bag, the risks may be reduced by:
- placing the food into a new, food-grade container
- having a procedure and instructions for staff (e.g. write the date and, if possible, a code on the container and record it in a register). Recording this information may be helpful if a consumer alleges food poisoning as it can show responsible actions were taken by the business.
- having an instruction sticker or leaflet to go with the food that gives storage and reheating conditions for the food
- making sure the doggy bag is placed in the fridge as soon as possible (within 2 hours from when the food was first served)
- food is eaten within 3 days and reheat to steaming hot
Download doggy bag ticker template to print your own instruction stickers for doggy bags.