Food contamination is a serious issue that can cause illness, spoilage, and waste. One of the most effective ways to prevent it is to wash your hands properly before, during, and after handling food. But do you know how to do it correctly? Here are some tips to help you keep your hands clean and your food safe.
Washing your hands is not only a matter of hygiene, but also of food safety. Your hands can carry bacteria, viruses, parasites, allergens, and dirt that can transfer to the food you prepare, serve, or eat. This can cause food poisoning, allergic reactions, or cross-contamination. Washing your hands reduces the risk of spreading these harmful agents and protects your health and the health of your customers.
There is a proper procedure to wash hands, outlined by US CDC. Can be found on web site. The goal is to use soap, preferably antibacterial, and washing hands must be for at least 20 seconds. USPH guidelines say 20 seconds should only be loathing, as it take exactly 20 seconds for soap bubbles to start absorbing bacteria from hands. And then hands must be rinsed properly in a very warm water.
You should wash your hands frequently and thoroughly when working with food. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends washing your hands before you start working, after touching raw food, after using the restroom, after touching your face, hair, or body, after handling garbage, after changing tasks, and after handling anything that might contaminate your hands. You should also wash your hands after taking a break, sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose.
Washing your hands properly is essential for preventing the spread of germs and bacteria. Start by wetting your hands with clean, running water and applying soap. Rub your hands together to create lather and scrub them for at least 20 seconds, ensuring that all parts of your hands are covered, including the backs, palms, fingers, thumbs, nails, and wrists. Then rinse your hands well under clean, running water and dry them with a single-use paper towel or an air dryer. Finally, use the paper towel or your elbow to turn off the faucet and avoid recontaminating your hands.
There are some common mistakes that can compromise the effectiveness of your hand washing and you should be aware of them. Avoid using dirty or shared towels to dry your hands, as these can harbor bacteria and transfer them to your hands. Hand sanitizers can reduce some germs, but they are not a substitute for proper hand washing and do not remove dirt, grease, or food residue from your hands. You should use them only when soap and water are not available and after washing your hands with soap and water. Additionally, wearing jewelry, watches, or nail polish on your hands should be avoided, as these can trap dirt and bacteria and interfere with your hand washing. Lastly, you need to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and as often as necessary to prevent food contamination.
You should monitor your hand washing practices and ensure that you and your staff follow the FDA guidelines. You can use posters, signs, or reminders to reinforce the importance of hand washing. You can also use a timer, a song, or a rhyme to help you wash your hands for the right amount of time. You can also check your hands for visible dirt, grease, or food residue and wash them again if needed. You can also use a hand washing audit or a self-inspection checklist to evaluate your hand washing compliance and identify areas for improvement.
You should train your staff on the proper hand washing techniques and procedures and make sure they understand the reasons and benefits of hand washing. You can use demonstrations, videos, quizzes, or role plays to teach them how to wash their hands correctly and effectively. You can also provide feedback, recognition, or incentives to encourage them to wash their hands regularly and consistently. You can also create a culture of hand washing in your workplace and make it a priority and a habit.
Hand washing prevents illnesses from food poisoning and viruses. Many people do it wrong or not enough, especially with food. This can spread germs that cause infections and diseases. There are guides online on how to wash hands correctly to prevent this. Making this part of your training and creating a culture of it is really what is going to cut down potential cases Wet your hands with clean water. You can also remind yourself and team to wash your hands often in the kitchen by use of a timer. Set it for 15 minutes and alternate between a full hand wash and using hand sanitizer. This will help you keep your hands clean and safe