It’s not uncommon to take our clean, advanced society for granted. And yet, myths from the old days haven’t been extinguished. Most food safety violations often occur because owners, management and hourly staff have a misconception of the facts. Science is progressing at a rapid rate; however, not everyone is up-to-speed regarding how bacteria and germs spread in a quick service environment. Combating against food violations begins by removing misconceptions and revealing these fun food safety facts.
Toilet Seats Contain Fewer Bacteria Than Cutting Boards
Bathrooms have long been perceived as the number one threat in food safety, however, most forget about the average cutting board. When using a board to prep, it’s important to know there is likely to be around 200 percent more fecal bacteria on it than one would find on a toilet seat.
Towels and Sponges Hide Salmonella and E. Coli
Two of the biggest offenders in food safety include salmonella and E. coli. When these bacteria aren’t hiding out on cutting boards and prep stations, they’re likely to be found on the tools used for cleaning these surfaces. On average, thousands of these germs can be found on a single square inch of a towel or sponge used for cleaning. Soap won’t effectively remove them, which is why disposable towels and a sanitizer solution are so important.
Only 1 Out of 5 Individuals Wash Their Hands Regularly
Our hands touch everything, especially when cooking and prepping in a quick service environment. Whether it’s from shaking a guest’s hand or high-fiving another team member, it’s important to remember they might not be regularly washing their hands. The only way to combat this problem is to buck this statistic and wash your hands often. Just because everyone else is ignoring this glaring issue doesn’t mean you have to as well.
Money Is the Dirtiest
Touching money is an integral part of food service, however, it’s also the most dangerous. Money is dirty, full of bacteria, fecal matter, and various other germs. It’s not uncommon for a server to touch money and then deliver plates of foods or drinks as do those who work behind a register in quick service.
What would you add to this list?