Coffee bars handle milk, plant-based alternatives and often pastries. Food safety here means keeping milk cold, avoiding cross-contamination and knowing which products contain allergens.
Why it matters
Milk spoils quickly at room temperature, and a guest with a milk or nut allergy can react to a single splash. Careful habits protect guests and the café.
Key ideas
Keeping milk cold
Take out only the milk you need for the next few drinks. Many venues keep fridges at 5°C or below; follow local rules.
Allergen separation
Plant milks, syrups and pastries may contain nuts, soya or gluten. For allergy orders, use a clean jug and a purged, wiped wand.
Date labelling
Label opened milk and food with the date, use the oldest first and discard anything past its use-by date.
Step by step
- 1
Wash your hands before handling milk, cups or food.
- 2
Check fridge temperatures and milk dates at the start of the shift.
- 3
Keep separate jugs for dairy and plant milks.
- 4
Serve pastries with tongs, never bare hands.
- 5
Return milk to the fridge straight after steaming.
Do
- Check allergen information before answering a guest.
- Keep pastries covered or in the display case.
- Tell a supervisor if a fridge feels warm.
Common mistakes
- Don't leave milk standing next to the hot machine.
- Don't top up an old jug with fresh milk.
- Don't call anything allergen-free unless you have checked.
The situation
A guest ordering an oat latte says they have a severe dairy allergy.
What a professional does
You tell the barista, who uses a clean jug and a purged, wiped wand. You explain honestly that the café handles milk, so traces cannot be ruled out, and let the guest decide.
Useful phrases
“Allergy order: oat milk, clean jug please.”
“Let me check the ingredients for you.”
Pro tip
Wipe fridge handles and door seals in quiet moments; they are touched constantly.
Quick check
Why not top up a half-used jug with fresh milk?
Think about it, then show the answer
The older, warmer milk can spoil the fresh milk, and you lose track of how long it has been out.