Hygiene in the Foodservice Industry: Why it Matters
The foodservice industry is a critical component of the economy, feeding millions of people every day. The industry must maintain high standards of hygiene to protect public health and ensure consumers’ confidence.
Hygiene is crucial to reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses, which can have severe consequences for both customers and businesses. Inadequate hygiene can lead to cross-contamination, on-site food poisoning outbreaks, and even death, resulting in legal and reputational consequences for a business.
Not only is a restaurant’s reputation at stake, but it can impact an entire chain of restaurants to a particular brand as well as the broader foodservice industry. Customers will not hesitate to switch to a competitor if they do not feel assured of the hygiene practices in a restaurant.
Therefore, maintaining high standards of hygiene must be a priority for every restaurant or foodservice business. It should entirely be incorporated into the procedures and training of kitchen staff, from washing hands between handling food and sanitation of cooking surfaces, pots and utensils. An end to end process starting with the procurement of ingredients, their storage, washing, cooking, and serving is critical to lowering hazards’ risks. Frequent and thorough cleaning of kitchen areas – including floor drains, ceiling vents, and the cleaning of appliances and equipment – is mandatory.
In addition, food businesses are required to have regular inspections by health departments to validate food preparation conditions and hygiene to counter potential risks. Failing to adhere to these measures, as we learned from recent events, can have enormous consequences. The global pandemic has shown how critical measures like masks-wearing, use of sanitizer and frequent cleaning can be in controlling the spread of viruses and bacteria, especially in places like restaurants that cater to a high volume of people.
Hygiene and sanitation are non-negotiable in the foodservice industry. They have an essential impact on customer confidence, business reputation, and overall industry. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize best hygiene practices in every part of a foodservice business.
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