What Poses the Highest Risk for Foodborne Illness?

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What Poses the Highest Risk for Foodborne Illness?

As a restaurant owner/operator, food safety is paramount to your business. You have processes and procedures in place to help ensure your restaurant does not fall victim to a foodborne illness outbreak. Yet, do you know what factors pose the highest risk for foodborne illness, and, are therefore, of top concern to restaurant inspectors?

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How Can You Prevent the Spread of Hepatitis A?

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How Can You Prevent the Spread of Hepatitis A?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection that is usually transmitted either through person-to-person contact or through consumption of contaminated food or water[1]. It is usually transmitted when an infected person has not properly washed his or her hands after using the restroom or before preparing and eating food.

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Helping Your Workers Stay Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

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It’s February, and that can only mean one thing…it’s cold and flu season. It’s the time of the year when both your employees and guests might bring with them coughs and sneezes into the restaurant. So, how can you help your employees stay healthy during this time of the year?

The flu vaccine and diligent hygiene are important measures everyone should practice this time of the year to help reduce the spread of germs that can cause illness. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1] (CDC) recommends the following actions:

  1. Take the time to get a flu vaccine. According to the CDC, even though it is already February, it’s not too late to get a flu shot since flu activity can last until May.
  2. Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs. This includes washing your hands often with soap and water, and if soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  3. Take flu antiviral drugs, if your doctor prescribes them.

Another important element to cold and flu prevention is to sanitize and clean frequently touched surfaces with products specifically designed to kill these viruses. At work and in our homes, we all touch a variety of surfaces throughout the day. From doorknobs, to kitchen and break room counters/tables, to light switches, germs that can cause illness are easily transferred from one person to the next via the surfaces we touch. This is why it is important to sanitize and clean both hard and soft surfaces frequently as well as objects such as restaurant menus. Also, always sanitize and disinfect food-preparation surfaces with a sanitizer and disinfectant specifically formulated for those surfaces. 

While you cannot prevent sick guests from coming into your restaurant, you can help your employees stay healthy by sharing with them these tips.

1. CDC Says Three Actions to Fight the Flu, http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm