What is the first step in conducting a food safety assessment?

Identifying potential hazards associated with food handling is the foundational step in conducting a food safety assessment because it allows you to understand the specific risks that could compromise food safety in a given environment. This is crucial as it informs all subsequent actions and decisions you will take in the assessment process.

Recognizing hazards includes a comprehensive evaluation of biological, chemical, and physical risks that can affect food safety, such as contamination from pathogens, food allergens, or physical debris. Once these hazards are identified, you can then analyze how they might affect food safety within the context of your operations and subsequently develop control measures to mitigate those risks.

The other choices, while important steps within the food safety assessment process, come after identifying hazards. Evaluating cleaning protocols and reviewing employee training records are essential for ensuring that the proper procedures are in place to manage identified risks effectively. Likewise, inspecting the overall facility helps in verifying compliance with health regulations, but these actions are more targeted and effective when you already understand the specific hazards present. Thus, recognizing potential hazards lays the groundwork for a thorough and effective food safety assessment.