Cross contamination is a potentially harmful situation for restaurant customers and employees. When it comes to food, employees must be diligent in handling raw meat and other foods that can cause unwanted illness to customers. Work surfaces, equipment, food, employee hands, and other items that come in contact with any food are at risk of cross contamination. Preventing cross contamination is relatively simple through education and taking the necessary steps for the health and safety of customers and the business.
Train staff
Every waiter, cook, dishwasher, and every other employee needs education about the dangers of cross contamination. When an employee is hired, and periodically during their employment, education and re-education must be pursued. The habit of reminding employees that cleanliness is key is tied to a culture that favors health over speed.
Keep your hands clean
“Employees must wash hands” signs are posted in all public kitchens and bathrooms. Washing your hands regularly and thoroughly helps stop the spread of most pathogens. Hand washing should become an automatic response, especially after handling raw meat. This is also true when an employee must reach the floor or use the bathroom.
Keep equipment separate
Equipment is one area of the kitchen that is most easily contaminated. Knives, bowls, blenders, cutting boards, and any commonly used kitchen items carry the residue of whatever items are on or near them. Keep all these tools separate from each other as much as possible. Use different bowls to mix different foods. Designate particular knives for cutting meat and others for raw vegetables. Keep separate cutting boards for raw food and meat. Washing all of these items regularly with hot soapy water when you are done with them will also kill any pathogens.
Keep work surfaces hygienic
In addition to tools used in the kitchen, keep work surfaces clean with a sanitizing solution. This means scraping the grill, cleaning the counters, and even scrubbing the floor – all the places a pathogen could potentially live. Scrubbing the kitchen at the end of the day or scraping the grill between meals is a must to keep a clean and tidy kitchen.
Store food properly
By law, each restaurant must be particular about how and where food is stored. Even restaurants that use freezers need to beware of cross contamination. Keep foods like meat and vegetables separate. Never put these items together to defrost them.
Each different food has its own safe handling needs, from beer to hot dogs. In each case, strictly observe the defrosting instructions. When two different types of food are stored too close together, the cross-contamination that occurs inevitably spoils the entire batch if left unchecked. In turn, this causes a restaurant to lose time, money, and valuable customers.
Restaurant insurance
Even the most attentive restaurant has the potential to come face to face with a food poisoning incident or other cross contamination related complaint. With proper restaurant insurance, such as the plans offered by Blue Sky Insurance Agency, the costs associated with cleaning up an unexpected event are covered and expert guidance is provided on how to prevent future problems.
About the insurance agency Blue Sky
For more than 20 years, the family-owned Blue Sky Insurance Agency has proudly specialized in insurance and tax services for Virginia residents. Our philosophy is simple: “If you can dream it, we can assure it.” We strive to provide value to our clients by establishing and building relationships and focusing on more than just fees. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive and strategically tailored solutions to protect all your assets and provide peace of mind wherever life takes you. To contact us, fill out a free quote form or call us at one of our two locations:
North Chesterfield
Phone : (804) 745-4044
P.O. Box 35674
North Chesterfield, VA, 23235
Hours of operation: Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. M. At 6 p. M.
Richmond
Phone : (804) 404-2030
9932 Midlothian Turnpike
Richmond, VA, 23235
Hours of operation: Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. M. At 6 p. M.