Storing, Preparing and Serving Condiments

Condiments are one of the basic ingredients in hot dog sandwiches. It lends the flavors and presentation to the sandwich, which differentiates it from others. Thus, having condiments on hand is important to have in your hot dog stand. This may not be so easy to do. Many local health departments will not allow hotdog cart vendors to serve any dairy based condiment products such as mayonnaise, grated cheese or even squeeze bottle cheese. Some health departments will only allow condiments that do not require refrigeration after opening to be served from a cart. This is because authorities understand that hot dog carts or other food concessionaire stands do not have the refrigeration equipment for proper meat storage. So it is very important to check first with your local health department for the specific local codes before beginning operations. If such perishable condiments are allowed, it is very important to follow the health guidelines to ensure that these condiments are maintained in healthy condition throughout your business day. If refrigerated condiments are allowed, keep them below the specified temperature (usually about 41°F or 4°C and below). This will of course require a thermometer to monitor that temperature. The proper storage is important as spoilage and the proliferation of dormant bacteria that are harmful to an individual’s health needs to be checked.

Condiments must be kept in clean, washable containers and must be kept covered to prevent insects, dust, leaf litter, or rain to enter. Jars with screw lids may not be acceptable as serving containers by some health departments. This is because bacteria may be able to inhabit the screw lid and it takes some effort to keep them closed. The best ones are the plastic snap on lid containers as these provide the quickest and easiest way to store these condiments. If condiments do become contaminated during the day, the containers should be emptied, cleaned and refilled with fresh material. Also remember that the spoiled condiments must be properly disposed each day. Otherwise condiments can always be served in those small plastic single service packages. This may cost a bit more for you but this ensures the freshness as well as cleanliness of the condiments.

Do not store condiments directly on the floor or the ground. Bacteria and dirt from the floor area can always contaminate the condiments left on the floor as well as be raided by vermin. You can avoid this by always storing foods on a shelf raised above the floor or the ground. This includes foods that are prepackaged such as some condiments. Do not store your condiments in the same cooler as meats or on shelves below meats. This is to avoid cross contamination from drippings or fluids from the meat to the condiments. Do not store your condiments near any cleaners or chemicals. Accidental spillage would spread poison all over the condiments making them hazardous to human consumption. All these rules are designed to prevent the condiments from becoming contaminated somehow, keeping it safe for human consumption and ensuring the earnings for your hot dog stand.