solutions® Food Safety - Food Safety Solutions
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solutions® Food Safety - Food Safety Solutions
Fall 2013 $3.95 Food Safety solutions ® Noble Professions The Power of Color How to Help Prevent Cross-Contamination with Color Coding A Comparison of Doctors and Foodservice Workers Texas Roadhouse Legendary Food, Service - and Safety It’s Flu Season Remind Your Staff About Flu Protection and Prevention! New Ecolab Anti-Slip Cutting Boards See page 61 FOR CLEANING: y y y y y y y y GRIDDLES FRYERS GRILLS FRYER BASKETS OVENS BROILERS TOASTERS HOLDING CABINETS ECOLAB HI-TEMP CLEANING TOOLS EASY. FAST. SAFE. With the addition of the NEW Hi-Temp Fryer Tools, Ecolab now offers a complete line of high temperature kitchen equipment cleaning tools that are ergonomic, effective, and easy-to-use, while providing enhanced safety for employees. Order yours today: Call 800 321 3687 or go to foodsafetysolutions.com FOOD SAFETY SPECIALTIES INC. © 2013 Ecolab USA Inc. All rights reserved. Ecolab Anti-Slip Cutting Boards DISHWASHER SAFE ANTI-SLIP FEET DURABLE NEW CUTTING BOARDS FROM ECOLAB INCLUDE THESE FEATURES w Dishwasher Safe w Anti-Slip Feet w Anti-Slip Edge Bumpers w Textured Surfaces w Carry Handle w Embossed Rulers (inch and cm) w Available in three sizes and seven colors w NSF Certified SIDE BUMPERS FOR ON-EDGE STORAGE CARRY HANDLE Order online at foodsafetysolutions.com or give us a call at 800 321 3687 © 2013 Ecolab USA Inc. All rights reserved. Food Safety Specialties Inc. Contents Features 8 Noble Professions A Comparison of Doctors and Foodservice Workers 22 Texas Roadhouse Legendary Food, Service – and Safety 38 The Power of Color How to Help Prevent Cross-Contamination with Color Coding Departments In this Issue… Our cover story focuses on ways in which 2 different professions, doctors and foodservice workers, are putting similar controls in place for health and safety of their customers. And how can simple colors communicate powerful food safety messages? Our feature is a working guide to preventing cross contamination in the kitchen, offering solutions and taking the guesswork out of this often challenging food safety practice. Texas Roadhouse is on the leading edge of food safety and sanitation, empowering their staff with food safety training and responsibility. Learn how they continue to propel the company's commitment to outstanding food, service and the environment. And empower your own employees with some Allergy training, and keep your customers safe from cross contact and hidden ingredients in their dishes. We hope you enjoy these articles and have a safe and healthy season! 6 Ask the Expert: Are Shorts Allowed? 17 Safety in Numbers Cross-Contamination Prevention 44 The Pest Profile: Fly Behavior and Food Safety 32 The Unwanted Patron: What is Cyclospora? 50 Food Safety and the Law: Alcohol Accountability 54 Hit the Books: It’s Flu Season 58 Protect Your Investment: Revitalize Your Cooler/Freezer Equipment with Parts Investment 60 Featured Products New Ecolab Pails and Cutting Boards, and Ice-Handling, Labeling, and Gloves 66 Food for Thought Allergen Training in Foodservice Good Habits: 18 Personal Hygiene - Sea Sick 28 Temperature Control - Leftovers Lockdown 34 Education - Not Your Average Game 46 Emerging Issues - Food Waste Bans 56 Education - Food Truck Survival 4 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 Food Safety solutions ® 8 CREATIVE DIRECTOR Shane Harwell ASSISTANT EDITOR Elizabeth Childress ART DIRECTOR Matt Shannon DESIGNERS Todd Carver Jennifer Johnson MARKETING CONSULTANTS Michael Sorvari Carrie Lytle April Ho-Nishimura Eric Balz Melinda Sutter Mahader Negga Richa Pande Jeff Van Kalker Matt Platts Eric Gingras Genae Sweet Lori Reyes Ignacio Martinez Abrianna Gonzalez Terry Carroll PRESIDENT Scott Latimer PHOTOGRAPHER Matt Shannon CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Cindy Rice Lara Carls-Lissick 22 34 ONLINE COORDINATORS André Hinton Crew Reynolds Arfeen Siddiqui Shawn Auger Seth Brumfield Catherine Qu Stephanie Moreno CIRCULATION Karen Gage Isabel Vega Brian Carrell CUSTOMER SERVICE Dawn Anderson Gabby Cramsie Natalie Olson Ebony Drummer Jodie Guille Lisa Poechmann Terri Polski Alicia Bina Kris Sample Nissa Uecker Aba Reindorf Danielle Wies Monica Ramirez-Beisang Shannon Butcher Vicki Ritchie Ana Seivert Holly Purcell Cerrisa Howell-Brown Catherine Walsh Danielle Porras Anne Mader Adam Reik Tanya Ibarra Melva Roberson SALES Greg Orman Kelly Morrison Alain Sckoropad Patrick Aiello Paul Pontius Brian Bullock Brian Spiva Gene Orr Trish Woodhouse Josh Tomasewski LOGISTICS MANAGER Chad Logan LOGISTICS Joe Puente Jessica Reinsch Kenny Kerrigan Andrew Pena Natasha Pickens FINANCE Corey Wirtz Chris Noel Deb Holst ACCOUNTING Steve Gage Ricky Esqueda PRODUCTION/OPERATIONS Paul Menchaca Ramiro Becerra Mark Franks Doug Tettleton INVENTORY Johnny Cauthern Aaron Lance Pat Smith 38 FOOD SAFETY SPECIALTIES INC. 1801 RIVERBEND WEST DRIVE FORT WORTH, TX 76118 800 321 3687 foodsafetysolutions.com © 2013 Ecolab USA Inc. All rights reserved Prices are subject to change without notice. Food Safety Solutions is a registered trademark of Ecolab. Food Safety Solutions is published and circulated to foodservice establishments and individuals around the world. Subscription is free of charge. For additional copies contact Ecolab at marketing@ecolab.com. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without prior written permission from the publisher. Fall 2013 Food Safety Solutions 5 Ask the Expert & QA Are Shorts Allowed? BY CINDY RICE, RS, MSPH, CPFS Q. Are shorts allowed in a foodservice kitchen? A. There is no provision in the FDA Food Code against wearing shorts, but it is a personal preference and can be part of an establishment’s uniform policy. You can determine if shorts are appropriate for any safety risks in your operation, or simply for good appearance. often coats the drain pipes. Afterward, they rise to the surface again, complete their lifecycle and fly out. Aggressive cleaning of drains is the best way to handle them where they breed, with a scrub brush, good detergent cleaner and thorough rinsing. Q. Why is it necessary for me to have a plan review when building or renovating a kitchen? Q. Can I put bleach in drains to kill drain flies and fruit flies? A. Contrary to what many people think, pouring bleach in drains is ineffective against these flies. Flies of all types go through several stages in their lifecycle- they breed and grow in drains and 1 fly can produce up to 900 offspring in their lifetime. Pouring bleach into a drain causes the larvae/ pupae to actually burrow even deeper into the biofilm that CINDY RICE, RS, CPFS, MSPH Cindy Rice, president of Eastern Food Safety, is an international food safety consultant to foodservice professionals and regulators alike. She is a Registered Sanitarian, Certified Food Safety Professional, and Certified HACCP Manager, earning her Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Massachusetts and a B.S. in Biology from Bates College, Lewiston, ME. In addition to working as an epidemiologist and published researcher at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Cindy owned and operated International Brownie and Dining in the Light Café & Catering. She is an approved ServSafe trainer, writer and noted speaker, educating both the foodservice industry and consumers. She has published a Pocket Guide to Food Safety and "Green Apple Tales," a children's book series with health and food safety messages. Cindy serves on the Lifeskills Advisory Council for the Massachusetts Dept of Education, Partnership for Food Safety Education, and is a USDA partner educating consumers. 6 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 A. The purpose of a plan review is to be sure that the kitchen layout is conducive to safe food operations, that safe procedures are proposed, and that the equipment is appropriate for commercial use. Refrigeration, freezer and dry goods storage capacity, ventilation, warewashing facilities, and grease trap size all depend on the volume and types of foods prepared, and are just some of the components that are verified in a plan review. Your food regulatory agency will often conduct a plan review or you may use a private company to evaluate your plans, sign off on them so you can submit them to your licensing agency. www.ecolab.com/ Do you want to “ask the expert” a question about food safety? Email askfoodsafety@ecolab.com DIRTY WATER DOES NOT CLEAN STOP USING DIRTY WATER TO CLEAN YOUR FLOORS. THE ECOLAB DUAL CAVITY MOP BUCKET HAS TWO 4 - GALLON WATER RESERVOIRS THAT SEPARATE THE DIRTY WATER FROM THE CLEANING SOLUTION. y Plastic injection molded divider y Durable down-press wringer with large opening y Extended non-marking casters control floor shadowing while providing a firmer, stable base y No removable pieces to misplace or break y Durable for commercial use y Large capacity for big jobs y Available in four colors to help promote zone- isolation TO ORDER, CALL 800 321 3687 OR VISIT US ON THE WEB AT FOODSAFETYSOLUTIONS.COM Proven to reduce conditions for slip, trip & fall when used as part of an everyday floor cleaning program FOOD SAFETY SPECIALTIES INC. © 2013 Ecolab USA Inc. All rights reserved. Feature 8 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 BY CINDY RICE, RS, MSPH, CPFS We wouldn’t think of going to a plumber to have a medical operation performed, or an electrician or an insurance salesman to have our annual physical. No, when it comes to medical care, we want to be sure that the physician attending to our most precious resource, our body, is licensed, skilled, operating with the proper tools in a clean and safe facility. The same is true of a food operation. Just as we expect in our medical care, we should be operating our restaurants, markets and schools with the same seriousness and conscientiousness of a fine surgeon. It's all about the health of our customers. And just like a doctor, we need to take the necessary precautions at our job to ensure that customers leave our establishment as healthy or healthier than when they first walked through our door. Let’s take a look at the parallels between 2 very different professions, and compare the seriousness and importance of proper procedures that a doctor uses in his/her job to that of a foodservice worker. How alike they really are, in many ways. Fall 2013 Food Safety Solutions 9 Feature 1) The facility The first time you walk into a doctor’s office or hospital, you get an impression of the quality of care you will receive. The cleanliness of the floors, walls and examination tables, the friendliness of the nurses and support staff, spotless lab coats and uniforms, bright and cheerful lighting, and clean fresh atmosphere all help to communicate that. Are they equipped with state of the art technical equipment that can provide you with the medical tests that you need or are they more in the dark ages, with dingy lighting, tired worn surroundings and out-dated equipment? A restaurant gives the same impression to a customer walking through the door for the first time, and first impressions are the most lasting ones. Your sanitation practices have never served you so well. Create a great impression by meticulously clean floors, properly stocked restrooms, lighting conditions that provide the ambience you want in your particular facility, employees with neat appearance, clean uniforms and attention to customers’ needs. 10 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 2) Tools Both doctor and chef equally need the necessary tools to do their job right. Let’s look at the Tool kit that each of these professionals brings to work every day: Doctor: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as caps, gowns and gloves; scalpels and autoclave for sterilizing operating tools; handwashing sink; hand sanitizer; Biohazard kit with sponges and cloths to clean spills; sterile surfaces for holding tools; maintenance tools to clean and disinfect operating room afterwards; X-rays and medical records for reference during operations Chef: Hair restraints, chef coats, aprons, gloves, PPE (oven mitts, cut gloves, eyewear), sanitized knives and kitchen tools, handwashing sink, hand sanitizer, chemical sanitizer/automatic warewasher for cleaning kitchen equipment, biohazard kit for bodily accidents in dining room, color-coded equipment to prevent cross-contamination, mops and buckets/equipment for after hours cleaning, posters and visual aids for reference during food operations Fall 2013 Food Safety Solutions 11 Feature 3) Procedures The doctor in the operating room is holding your life in his hands. Similarly, you are holding your customers’ health in the balance, with the foods that you serve and they put into their bodies. The principles of personal hygiene, cross-contamination and time and temperature controls cross over both of these professions. In a medical setting, handwashing is critical before each patient visit or during hospital rounds, and a doctor wouldn’t even think of using bare hands to perform any medical procedure. In the kitchen, handwashing is also extremely important before starting work and any time hands are dirty, with extra protection from single use gloves for ready-to-eat foods. A doctor must be sure that the equipment and tools he/she is using with patients are sterilized before use and in between patients. His/her workspace is also sterile, including the patient’s body itself, even before the knife touches the skin. A chef must also start with a clean work surface before food preparations, and all cutting 12 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 boards, knives, pans and other tools must be clean and sanitized before use and after every task. Taking temperatures of patients is also routine medical practice to be sure that body temperature is in normal range -elevated temperatures over 98.6° F indicate the patient may be battling an infection. Similarly, a foodservice worker taking temperatures of TCS foods during preparation, holding, storage and service is critical to be sure that foods are staying out of the temperature danger zone (41° F – 135° F [5˚C - 57˚C], according to 2009 US FDA Food Code) and bacterial growth is minimized at all times.3-501 Finally, hospital protocols should be followed at all times, just as Standard Operating Procedures should be in place as a good foundation in any foodservice operation. Proper methods for Cooking/Cooling/Reheating foods, Receiving, Storage, Personal hygiene, Reputable suppliers, Chemical usage, and methods for preventing cross-contamination and temperature abuse should guide establishments daily. 4) Training In both the medical profession and the foodservice industry, training is the key to prolonged safety. Medical professionals not only receive extensive education but also pursue continuing education to keep up their credentials and stay current with new treatments and practices. You notice those diplomas hanging on the wall? They are comfort that you are in the company of a well trained professional. Their support staff, nurses, orderlies and administrative staff should also be proficient in their duties. Similarly, the foodservice professional should be qualified in food safety procedures and keep their training current in many areas, including Food Manager Certification, allergen awareness, culinary techniques, at a minimum. And this training should continue as new regulations are implemented or good practices are adopted in the industry, perhaps training in HACCP, Food defense or Recalls. Training of all staff should continue as changes are made to the food code in your jurisdiction (FDA Food Code is updated every 4 years) or as employees, equipment and methods change in the workplace. Fall 2013 Food Safety Solutions 13 5) What can go wrong? The risks of not following proper procedures can be disastrous in any profession. Whether it is a doctor or chef who is using unsafe equipment or tools, dangerous consequences can result. If a physical object is accidentally left inside a patient or carelessly contaminates a food product, it can sicken the individual. If liquids, blood, vomit or other bodily fluids are allowed to remain on floors after an accident in an operating room or a food facility, dangerous slips and falls can result. Further, such spillage in an operating room can lead to hazardous pathogens spreading to surrounding areas and pose huge dangers to doctors, patients and attending staff. In the kitchen, spilled foods, grease and debris can also imbed into crevices of equipment and floors, a perfect breeding ground for flies, rodents, pathogens, biofilm and food contamination. Subsequent lawsuits, medical costs, media attention and patient/customer illness and dissatisfaction can escalate and be devastating to any business. As food professionals, we need to take our jobs just as seriously as a physician. We wouldn’t want doctors to contaminate us with loads of bacteria as they are taking out our spleen. Just as you wouldn’t any chef to serve you old outdated chicken contaminated with dirty hands and a healthy dose of Salmonella, covered up with a sauce breeding Clostridium perfringens. Your customers trust that you are handling their foods with care, just as you put your trust in your physician. Keeping foods cold, datemarking and properly rotating them, cooking and cooling them to keep bacteria at safe levels are basic good practices. We need to keep our foods well protected at every step in the flow of food, in kitchens stocked with proper tools and gloves, implementing handwashing, personal hygiene, temperature controls, cross-contamination prevention, equipment maintenance and sanitation. Your staff should be as well-trained as a medical professional, carrying out safe foodhandling procedures every day, so that customers are protected from the foods that they consume and enjoy at your establishments. And just as people do with a revered family doctor, with whom they’ve developed a good relationship and stick with for life, your customers will refer you to their friends and relatives. They will look to you with respect, thanks and satisfaction, and be a devoted customer for life. 14 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 SANITATION & CLEANING New Ecolab Sanitizer & Detergent 6qt. Pails w Ergonomic plastic handle for comfortable carrying w Recessed base for easy carrying and splash reduction w Slanted lip for easier pouring w Durable, wear resistant ink meets health department requirements w Dedicated area for a sanitizer discard label w Embossed quart/liter markings w Available wall-mount hanger w 100% recyclable w One Year Warranty PRODUCT Sanitizing Solution Only Pail Detergent Solution Only Pail Sanitizer Pail Clock Dot Sanitizer & Detergent Pail Hanger ITEM# #60503-12-31 #60504-12-31 #60517-00-11 #60503-22-11 Ecolab Food Safety Specialties Inc. 1801 Riverbend West Dr. Fort Worth, Texas 76118 foodsafetysolutions.com 800 321 3687 © 2013 Ecolab USA Inc. All rights reserved. Food Safety Specialties Inc. NEW & IMPROVED ECOLAB GLOVES ARE HERE! You are sure to find Ecolab disposable gloves that are the perfect fit for your foodservice establishment. Order yours today at foodsafetysolutions.com or give us a call at 800.321.3687 NUMB3R5 safety in Cross-contamination is a frequently occurring health risk in food preparation and one that can be reduced by changing gloves when soiled or every 4 hours when working on a continuous task.2 During January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010, public health departments reported 1,527 foodborne disease outbreaks, resulting in 29,444 cases of illness, 1,184 hospitalizations, and 23 deaths.3 48 MILLION 2009 The number of foodborne disease outbreaks investigated by CDC has increased from about 50 in 2006 to 180 in 2011-2012. More than 15% of school aged children with food allergies have had a reaction in school. Food allergy reactions happen in multiple locations throughout the school, and are not limited to the cafeteria.4 Every year, about 48 million of us, roughly one in six people in the United States, get sick from eating contaminated food.5 Eating away from home can pose a significant risk to people affected by food allergy. Research suggests that close to half of fatal food allergy reactions are triggered by food served by a restaurant or other food service establishment.6 1 http://www.healio.com/pediatrics/news/print/infectious-diseases-in-children/%7B1e7a5e6c-4a59-438f-ae2d-225f9ba8dba7%7D/multidisciplinary-teams-simplify-complex-foodborne-outbreaks 2 http://www.glovenation.com/food-service-gloves/how-to-food-gloves.htm 3 http://www.cdc.gov/features/dsfoodborneoutbreaks/ 4 http://www.foodallergy.org/document.doc?id=194 5 http://www.cdc.gov/features/dsfoodborneoutbreaks/ 6 http://www.foodallergy.org/document.doc?id=194 Fall 2013 Food Safety Solutions 17 Good Habits 18 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 Sea Sick Cruiseships have notoriously been targeted for Norovirus outbreaks over the last few years, but any venue that has large numbers of persons gathered in closed areas can be a hotbed for the spread of Norovirus infections, including casinos, spas and college campuses. A likely scenario - an individual has diarrhea or vomiting (typical symptoms of Norovirus infection) or they may even be an asymptomatic carrier of the disease. He/she goes to the restroom... fails to wash hands... goes to the buffet... touches utensils in all the containers. Others follow behind, touching the same utensils and eating without washing their hands. Boom! You potentially have a major Norovirus outbreak in the making. According to Luis O. Rodriguez, Environmental Health Officer, CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,) systems are in place to help prevent illness on cruiseships more than ever. Since good handwashing is the best way to prevent spreading a virus infection, installation of handwashing stations at each buffet station are being strongly encouraged by CDC for all ships. Hand sanitizers are also stationed throughout the ships-at buffets, entryways and even on excursions’ food stations. Ship administrators have systems to monitor illness rates on a vessel, and if there is an elevation above the baseline level, they notify CDC and an epidemiologic investigation is begun. An outbreak in this instance would be considered 3% of the crew or passengers reporting illness, and this is the trigger to further examination. On a ship of 2000 people, this would represent 60 persons reporting illness, in contrast to the accepted definition of an outbreak “on land” - 2 or more persons getting sick from eating the same food. “Otherwise we’d be having an outbreak every day,” says Rodriguez. “The ships really understand the need for food safety, and that bad publicity is bad for business. They also realize that having CDC regulators as their allies really pays off,” says Rodriguez. “Outbreak updates” and information about CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program are available on CDC’s website www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp Fall 2013 Food Safety Solutions 19 RELEASE THE GREASE STANDARD MOP GREASE-RELEASE TEND TO KEEP GREASE IN THE FIBERS FIBERS REPEL GREASE Standard mop heads tend to spread the grease on floors. ECOLAB’S GREASE RELEASE MOP HEADS ABSORB SEVERAL TIMES ITS OWN WEIGHT IN SOILED LIQUID WHILE RELEASING GREASE DURING EACH RINSE. THE YARN USES A UNIQUE BLEND OF FIBERS THAT RESIST OIL BUILD-UP, OUTLAST TRADITIONAL COTTON MOP HEADS AND REDUCE DRYING TIME BY UP TO 50%. ASK YOUR ECOLAB REPRESENTATIVE FOR A TOOL DEMO. FOOD SAFETY SPECIALTIES INC. 800 321 3687 FOODSAFETYSOLUTIONS.COM Proven to reduce conditions for slip, trip & fall when used as part of an everyday floor cleaning program ©2013 Ecolab USA Inc. All rights reserved. Feature Feature Texas Roadhouse: LEGENDARY FOOD, SERVICE – AND SAFETY By Lara Carls-Lissick For more than 20 years, Texas Roadhouse’s restaurants have been the kind of neighborhood places that customers visit again and again. The company’s casual, sit-down restaurants average 5,000 guests per week — one of the industry’s highest — thanks to fun, friendly service and a made-from-scratch menu. 22 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 Fall 2013 Food Safety Solutions 23 Feature and homemade fare. The company makes nearly everything from scratch, including all side items, dressings, and even the croutons and bacon bits. Each restaurant employs a dedicated butcher to hand-cut its steaks, as well as a baker who creates fresh bread each day. Portion sizes are generous, giving customers more food for their dollar. Texas Roadhouse also invests in its legendary service by staffing more servers – who each handle fewer tables than the industry average – to provide unsurpassed attention to guests. “We don’t rely on national advertising – only local store marketing – and we put that money where it should go: into the food,” says Travis Doster, Senior Director, Public Relations, Texas Roadhouse. “That quality and value shows in our large number of loyal, repeat customers.” What guests may not realize is that behind their delicious dinner lies a careful plan designed to ensure the highest levels of food safety and quality, including a unique “coaching” program that addresses every step of the operation. The restaurants, which typically seat 250 guests, are lively establishments full of repeat customers who enjoy the chain’s famous hand-cut steaks The successful concept has driven steady growth for the Louisville, Ky. - based company, which opened its first restaurant in Clarksville, Indiana, in 1993. Today, it operates more than 400 establishments in 48 states, the majority of which are corporate-owned, and three international “We have an amazing culture – a culture where our employees care about their customers, their jobs and our company,” says Kent Taylor, the company’s founder, CEO and Chairman. “Along with that comes a true commitment to food safety, which is our No. 1 concern in terms of protecting our guests and our brand.” HAPPY WORKERS, HAPPY CUSTOMERS Do you love your job? If you work at Texas Roadhouse, the answer is probably “yes.” From energetic pre-shift team rallies to community service projects to social gatherings, the company fosters a sense of fun and teamwork among its associates. 24 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 Kent Taylor : Company founder, CEO and Chairman AN AUTHENTIC TEAM Texas Roadhouse founder, CEO and Chairman Kent Taylor once attended a country music concert at the White House – wearing jeans, a cowboy hat and cowboy boots. That’s because he’s true to his roots and to his company, which encourages employees to dress casually at its Louisville, Ky.-based headquarters. Company leaders don’t want field employees, who often visit the home office, to ever feel underdressed or uncomfortable. locations in Dubai and Kuwait. COACHES IN THE KITCHEN Ask Product Coach Director Jason Mennie what he likes best about his job at Texas Roadhouse and he doesn’t hesitate for a second. Certified Professional – Food Safety (CP-FS) credential from the National Environmental Health Association, which tests applicants on food microbiology, HACCP principles and regulatory requirements. “It’s a small detail,” says Travis Doster, Senior Director of Public Relations for Texas Roadhouse, “but it sends a big message that we are one team with a common mission: to provide legendary food, service and fun for our guests.” “I love the people, and my team’s ability to help spread knowledge and passion for the brand,” Jason says. His 40 coaches don’t run athletic drills or blow whistles; instead, they are food safety experts in the field, where they each support between six and 12 restaurants. “From an operating perspective, we want to be seen as a helping hand – a great coach and partner, rather than an internal auditor or finger-pointer,” Jason says. “We aim to create a positive message and environment every time we walk into an operation.” These regional associates spend entire days at each restaurant doing exactly what their title implies: coaching. They provide hands-on training for food safety standards, sanitation, machine checks, recipe adherence and more. All Texas Roadhouse coaches are ServSafe-certified culinary experts with a deep base of knowledge in food safety and operations. In addition, all coaches have earned a prestigious Fall 2013 Food Safety Solutions 25 Feature COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS • Is based in Louisville, Ky. • Operates more than 400 restaurants in 48 states and three international locations • Is famous for its hand-cut steaks and made-from-scratch food • Employs about 45,000 people • Trades on the NASDAQ (TXRH) • Is open for dinner during the week and lunch and dinner on weekends Multi-lingual signs throughout the kitchens promote proper handwashing, which the company strongly emphasizes. Every kitchen even has its own “glow germ” kit with special lotion and a black light that lets employees check their hand hygiene. The company is also testing several new, automated, touch-free sink models. Labeling is another big priority for Texas Roadhouse, which uses the portable Prep-n-Print automated food rotation system. In addition to their daily duties, product coaches conduct four unannounced audits per year for each operation. Any opportunities for improvement are “coached” and addressed immediately. These internal audits are even tougher than state inspections, Jason says. “Sanitation is black and white; things are either clean or dirty,” Jason says. “Nobody in the restaurant business wants a guest to get sick. As coaches, we strongly believe in explaining the ‘why’ behind our food safety practices. Once we do that, employees feel more personally responsible and want to do the right thing. In other words, they care.” DESIGNED FOR SAFETY From their conception, Texas Roadhouse’s training programs and kitchens were designed for safety. 26 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 “Food safety is part of our culture and is built into every one of our recipes, which each start with the same first step: ‘Wash your hands,’” Jason says. “When it’s done right, food safety practices become a matter of habit.” To that end, ongoing food safety training and education is provided for all employees. Each restaurant also has key hourly employees who are ServSafe-certified, which helps maintain a constant focus on food safety. In Texas Roadhouse kitchens, single-task stations keep raw and cooked products separated. Color-coded cutting boards and utensils, along with designated storage containers, help prevent cross-contamination. Hand sinks are available at every station, and ingredients such as produce, chicken and potatoes are each washed in separate sinks. “We’ve used other systems in the past, but Prep-n-Print is wonderful because we can control the data base from the corporate level,” Jason says. “The labels give us all the information we need about rotation, freshness and quality – and the residue from them doesn’t stay on our pans.” Temperatures are another key food safety practice at Texas Roadhouse. Managers fill out “Taste & Temp” reports twice daily to ensure quality, consistency and safety. Storage areas and coolers are organized by product and follow first-in, first-out (FIFO) guidelines. All food is checked after reheating and every 15 minutes during cooling. Most food is sourced nationally, with the exception of locally purchased produce. All suppliers undergo an intense inspection by Texas Roadhouse, which sends its product coaches to potential vendors’ facilities for onsite evaluation. Deliveries are accepted only by managers, who check quality, verify proper temps, label product and put it away. EYE ON THE FUTURE Texas Roadhouse expects to open about 30 new restaurants in 2014, driven by a commitment to its core values and an entrepreneurial spirit shared by managing partners at each restaurant. And behind the scenes, the company’s employees continue to ensure the highest levels of food safety and quality, bringing loyal guests back time and again. “Eating out is about the food, the service and the environment,” Jason says. “We strive to be the best at all three – and that’s what our coaches, employees and managers live and breathe every single day.” When it’s done right, food safety practices become a matter of habit. FUN FACTS • Is ranked No. 1 steakhouse in Nation’s Restaurant News’ 2012 Consumer Picks survey • Serves 300,000 meals each day • Features unique, hand-painted murals at each restaurant that reflect the local community • Employs a butcher and a baker at each property • Has about $1 million worth of meat cut annually at each store • Has an “Andy Armadillo” company mascot • Operates the most restaurants in Texas (55), followed by Pennsylvania (24), Ohio (21) and Indiana (21) Fall 2013 Food Safety Solutions 27 Good Habits Leftovers Lockdown The stench was horrific and the scene of prisoners using any available toilet, sink, even using shower drains to vomit was an image that the investigator cannot get out of his head to this day. This foodborne illness outbreak began with seemingly simple procedures to cut costs and save time, but all added up to a large outbreak in a correctional facility in the U.S. mid-section. The foodservice company that ran the inmate dining facilities made several mistakes that ended up costing millions in the end. • Hot leftover chicken filling was not cooled before putting into the coolers. A foodhandler reported that the meat was “puffy and bubbly” as they removed it from the refrigerator for reheating the next day. (Bacteria growing to high numbers often release such telltale gasses.) • Another worker reported that the food was “boiling”when it came out of the oven and “boiling” even 20 minutes later, even though the ovens were defective and not able to get food temperatures above 90° F. (How is that possible?) • These leftover foods were combined multiple times with newly prepared foods, which contaminated the additional batches and perpetuated the outbreak. 28 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 When lab tests were done on the sick persons and foods they consumed, Clostridium perfringens was identified as the causative organism. This spore forming bacteria survives the cooking process and typically produces a toxin after cooked foods are time/temperature abused. Over 250 persons became ill after eating the adulterated foods, an attack rate of about 25% in this prison population, sickened by the toxin produced by Clostridium bacteria. Prevent bacterial growth and toxin production in cooked foods using these controls, according to FDA 2009 Food Code: • Cool cooked foods from 135° to 70° in 2 hours, and from 70° to 41° F or lower in next 4 hours. • Reheat leftovers to 165° F within 2 hours and use within 7 days of preparation. • Hold hot foods at 135° or higher during service Fine food establishment or county jail... Integrity of foods must be preserved. Fall 2013 Food Safety Solutions 29 ©2013 Ecolab USA Inc. All rights reserved. Print Your Own Daydots® With the New Ecolab Prep-n-Print Program Save Time • Ensure Accuracy • Simplify Labeling y y y y y y Prints food rotation labels on demand Helps save time spent handwriting labels Ensures labeling consistency Provides accurate product shelf life on every label Helps reduces food waste Allows you to manage your shelf life online For more information contact your Ecolab representative or visit www.prepnprint.com ® FOOD SAFETY SPECIALTIES INC. © 2013 Ecolab USA Inc. All rights reserved. The Unwanted Patron What is Cyclospora? BY DR. ANNA STAROBIN Cyclospora is a parasite that infects the small intestine, causing cyclosporiasis. Cyclosporiasis became a nationally notifiable disease in 1999, and was reported in 37 states in 2008.1 As Cyclospora is not endemic to the United States, it is most commonly acquired through travel to tropical or subtropical regions and through consumption of contaminated fresh produce imported from these areas.2 Although cases can be reported throughout the year, April to August is when the majority are reported, with the height of reports coming in May to July. Fresh produce, such as raspberries, basil, snow peas and mesclun lettuce have been identified as vehicles of transmission for past cyclosporiasis outbreaks in the United States. In 2004, approximately 96 people became ill after eating pasta salad containing raw snow peas at a residential facility in Fresh produce, such as raspberries, basil, snow peas and mesclun lettuce have been identified as vehicles of transmission for past cyclosporiasis outbreaks in the United States.3 Pennsylvania.3 The largest recorded outbreak of cyclosporiasis occurred in 1996, when more than 1,400 people became ill in the United States and Canada after consumption of Guatemalan raspberries.4 Most recently, in the summer of 2013, at least 535 cases of Cyclosporiasis were reported in a multi-state outbreak. Epidemiological study in two of the eighteen states where victims reside implicated salad mix, but this has not been confirmed elsewhere. Further updates are available from the CDC and FDA.8 WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? After consumption of Cyclospora, symptoms occur in an average of seven days. A typical cyclosporiasis infection is characterized by watery diarrhea. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping/bloating, nausea, body aches, fatigue and, less common, vomiting or low-grade fever.1 32 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 Cyclosporiasis infections can be treated with antibiotics. However, infections are usually not life-threatening, and if left untreated, the infection will usually clear up on its own in a few weeks to months. HOW IS IT TRANSMITTED? Cyclosporiasis cannot be transmitted from person to person. An infected person sheds non-infective Cyclospora oocysts, which then needs days or weeks in suitable environmental conditions to become infective.5 Only after the oocysts have become infective can they cause illness when consumed. This mechanism could make imported produce an ideal host for Cyclospora oocysts because it generally travels for many days before consumption. HOW IS IT CONTROLLED? Cyclospora oocysts are resistant to common disinfectants such as chlorine and iodine. Despite this high resistance, Cyclospora is relatively rare. In 2012, 15 cases of Cyclospora were reported through U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network; this compares to a reported 7800 cases of Salmonella and about 1000 E. coli.6 Even though slight, the illness potential emphasizes the need to be aware of the origin of produce as a primary control technique. Making sure produce suppliers follow Good Agriculture Practices, such as proper cleaning and sanitation procedures during growing, harvesting and packing produce, help reduce the likelihood of contamination. REFERENCES AND FURTHER INFORMATION: 1. Surveillance for laboratory-confirmed sporadic cases of cyclosporiasis - United States, 19972008. Hall, Rebecca L, Jones, Jeffery L and Herwaldt, Barbara L. April 8, 2011, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Vol. 60(2), pp. 1-11. 2. Update on Cyclospora cyetanensis, a food-borne and waterborne parasite. Ortega, Ynes R and Sanchez, Roxana. Jan 2010, Clinical Microbiology Reviews, Vol. 23(1), pp. 218-34. 3. Outbreak of Cyclosporiasis associated with snow peas - Pennsylvania, 2004. September 24, 2004, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Vol. 53(37), pp. 876-8. 4. An outbreak in 1996 of cyclosporiasis associated with imported raspberries. Herwaldt, Barbara L, Ackers, Marta-Louise and Group, Cyclospora Working. May 1997, The New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 336(22), pp. 1548-56. 5. Parasites - Cyclosporiasis (Cyclospora Infection). CDC Home. [Online] [Cited: May 4, 2011.] http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/. 6. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6215a2.htm?s_cid=mm6215a2_e#fig1 [Online] [Cited: August 12, 2013.] 7. Investigation of an Outbreak of Cyclosporiasis in the United States. CDC Home. [Online] [Cited: July 24, 2013.] http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/outbreaks/investigation2013.html 8. FDA Investigates Multistate Outbreak of Cyclosporiasis. [Online] [Cited: August 5, 2013.] http://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm361637.htm D MADE LA AY DO B EL TS SPECIFICALLY ® G UN FOR RECEIVING S & FOOD PREP The most common problem users have with label guns is reloading the rolls of labels. Ecolab has a solution with the our Daydots single and double line label guns. These guns are designed for quick loading and are highly durable with reinforced, ABS plastic body and solid steel internal components. Daydots label guns have an easy dropin loading procedure, for fast and easy label roll replacement. Ergonomic rubber hand grip with tiny molded grooves allows your hand to hold the unit comfortably and breathe, reducing moisture buildup from your palm. The unique label bands on both the Daydots Single Line and Double Line guns are designed for common foodservice labeling needs. Order online at foodsafetysolutions.com or give us a call at 800 321 3687 Good Habits 34 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 Not Your Average Game In a community way up in “north country,” a hunting lodge was experiencing its worst nightmare. During the past year, hundreds of hunters were getting sick with a flu-like illness after visiting the lodge, which not only provides food and shelter to hunters but offers slaughtering services for their game. In the owner’s words, “people are dropping like flies and we don’t know what to do about it.” He admitted that about 50% of the persons that visited his lodge typically became sick, but hesitated to notify the health department for fear of being shut down. In an outbreak situation, contacting the food regulatory agency is a good first step, since solutions to such a mystery can only be discovered by doing an investigation and identifying food safety practices that may be the culprit. And soon there will be a great training resource, free for health departments and industry alike, to help them detect risks in a foodservice operation before an outbreak occurs. Association Conference in Washington DC in July 2013. Presenters Jason Bashura (FDA) and Kristin Delea (CDC) impressed attendees during this interactive session, who used the gaming experience to do an environmental assessment of a virtual workplace (i.e., pinpoint risky behaviors that contributed to the foodborne outbreak.) When available, this 12-hour educational tool should help industry and health inspectors to proactively identify risk factors in the kitchen, put preventive controls in place to help prevent future illness occurrences. As the wife of the hunting lodge owner pleaded, “We need help in getting to the bottom of this, and just hope we can do it soon... Snowshoe season’s comin’.” Ay-up. In partnership with the FDA, the CDC developed the National Voluntary Environmental Assessment Information System (NVEAIS,) a training tool to help walk you through the investigation process of an outbreak. This virtual gaming experience was introduced at the National Environmental Health Fall 2013 Food Safety Solutions 35 ” n e k c i h C “ e B t ’ n o D r u o Y e v r e S To . s r e Custom gs n i d a e R re u t a r e p fe Tem a e S t n a r e u v c Get Ac h The Ecolab O eter om Wit m r e h T Meat TO ORDER BY PHONE CALL 800 321 3687, ONLINE GO TO FOODSAFETYSOLUTIONS.COM OR CONTACT YOUR ECOLAB REPRESENTATIVE FOOD SAFETY MATTERS WEBINAR WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU Join us for a free webinar presentation on relevant food safety topics WHO: Restaurant Owners, Foodservice Managers, Grocery store personnel, Chefs, and other food industry personnel who want to learn more about providing food safety training to their staff WHEN: A different topic every third Tuesday of the month at 1:00 pm Eastern Time WHY: Stay up-to-date on the latest food safety trends and regulations DURATION: One hour To be included on the next invitation email us at: webinars@ecolab.com Everywhere it Matters. FOOD SAFETY SPECIALTIES INC. Feature The Power of Color BY CINDY RICE, RS, CPFS I was visiting a client just the other day, to do a verification of a HACCP plan that was recently developed for their new wholesale operation. Their processing activities were now in full force, and with an impending visit by USDA, it was more important than ever that they had their preventive controls in place. What we observed was a little startling, especially for the HACCP team. The onion chopping station was splattered with meat juices and fresh cut onions were being processed on a red cutting board. The worker himself was standing in meat trimmings and onion skins strewn all over the floor in puddles of water. On the other side of the room, poultry breading was in progress right next to the salad station. Raw chicken tenders were stacked on the table dangerously close to fresh cut salad greens, and breading crumbs surrounded the cutting board used to cut the vegetables. Dirty floor mats were stacked against clean equipment in the kitchen, ready to go into the 3 compartment sink for washing. Toxic chemicals were poised next to the exposed foods, and employees unconscientiously stacked unmarked white containers of various foods into the reach-in refrigerator. In short, crosscontamination was rampant. 38 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 Even if you have a HACCP plan in place, following through with correct procedures is critical to preventing crosscontamination and other hazards in a foodservice environment. Naturally present bacteria in raw animal proteins such as meats, poultry or fish can contain Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter which can easily contaminate ready-to-eat foods and food contact surfaces if we are not careful. Our goal is to prevent raw animal products and juices from touching or dripping onto ready to eat foods. Steps should be taken to prevent cross-contamination in the workplace at all steps in the flow of food, and protect cutting boards, slicers, utensils and work surfaces, even wiping cloths. One of the most powerful aids to help you protect your foods against cross-contamination is the concept of COLOR CODING. Let’s look at some of the benefits of using color coded equipment in a foodservice operation, starting with the most noted pinnacle of this concept ...Color-coded cutting boards. Imagine a busy kitchen with multiple workers doing various tasks- slicing bread, cutting chicken, chopping lettuce on cutting boards of no particular color or type. Suddenly a food worker needs to slice bread for a table, runs into the kitchen, grabs the nearest available knife and cutting board, and slices the bread. Unbeknownst to that person, a chef had just cut a piece of fish on that same white cutting board, imperceptible to the casual eye. But cross-contamination of bacteria from the raw fish has instantaneously occurred onto that bread, with risk of causing illness to an unsuspecting customer. Even the fish protein itself could be a danger if that customer had a fish allergy. Now imagine this...a color-coded world where every cutting board is a different color, has an association with a particular food group, set by industry standards. Red, for raw meats. Yellow, raw poultry. Green, fresh fruits and vegetables. Blue, seafood. White or Tan, Ready-to– eat foods (e.g., breads, pastries, cheese) Purple, for Allergen awareness. These colors are not set in stone, and there is no magic imparted to their color designations to protect against crosscontamination. But as long as staff are trained in using the same color cutting board for the same food type in that operation, it helps to prevent cross-contamination between different foods. When a chef needs to cut an onion or lettuce for a sandwich, he will be looking for that green cutting board that everyone else is using for vegetables. And bread will be sliced on a tan board, not the yellow board that another worker is using to cut raw chicken. Color coded cutting boards have set a food safety standard in the industry to help prevent cross-contamination, and they have been accepted as the most seamless way to minimize risks in this area. Food establishments overwhelmingly recognize the varied benefits to using color coded cutting boards. Color coding: y Helps to discourage use of raw foods on same cutting boards used for ready to eat foods y Helps to train and remind workers on preventing cross- contamination y Makes it easy to follow proper methods, as colors are distinctive and recognizable for various foods y Crosses over language barriers in the kitchen Says one chef, “Color coding is critical in our kitchen. When Fall 2013 Food Safety Solutions 39 Feature my staff is preparing foods for their mise en place, it’s a nobrainer about which cutting board to use. It really eliminates mistakes and with a quick scan of my kitchen, I know that we have cross-contamination under control.” And cutting boards have progressed in development, with even more innovations and benefits. Slip resistant pads y Eliminate the need for damp towels underneath, another source of food contamination y Chefs can cut foods quickly, with confidence and safety foods through their use of colors and define the food types to be used with them. PREPARATION If we are not careful, foods, equipment and kitchen tools can easily be cross-contaminated. Bacteria transferring from one surface or food to the next poses an increased risk when handling raw foods in proximity to ready-to-eat foods. Helpful tools y Color-coded cutting boards, knives, tongs, spatulas, plastic scale protectors, wiping cloths help prevent cross-contamination y Color-coded labels for easy identification of different food types “It’s a pleasure to use this type of a board,” says one chef. “I know that I have a stable platform for cutting and will have more uniform cuts and I don’t have to worry that the board is going to slip away from me. Especially since health departments are now citing violations from having wet towels underneath cutting boards, for cross-contamination reasons.” Handles and hooks on cutting boards make for convenient hanging and storage, which help them dry more thoroughly and stay cleaner in storage. Also, these holders make them easier to carry, especially larger boards. And ruler markings on cutting boards help food workers to achieve more precise food cuts and portion control. COLOR CODED EXPANSION As Walt Disney was a pioneer in television with his “Wonderful World of Color” (the first TV color show that many remember from childhood) so have color coded cutting boards paved the way for other innovative equipment, helping to protect 40 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 y Color-coded peg boards for organizing kitchen tools ALLERGEN SAFETY Allergies are a growing concern in the foodservice industry. One goal is to prevent cross contact with the food of concern onto dishes for an allergic individual, using clean or separate cutting boards, pans and utensils for the allergic individual’s order. Helpful tools y Purple cutting board, knife handle and utensils help alert food preparer that extra caution is needed for this dish STORAGE Microorganisms survive refrigeration and freezing, so even foods in storage must be protected from contamination by other foods, especially raw foods. Good industry practices include storing raw foods below ready-to-eat (RTE,) with tight-fitting lids to prevent leakage. Color coding takes out the guesswork here as well. Helpful tools y Color-coded lids, plastic wraps, food containers for different food types (i.e., raw versus RTE) y Color-coded shelf clips and tags can help identify proper storage order on wire racks in coolers ZONE ISOLATION Color coding has also progressed to another level - different zones in an operation associated with specific colors to minimize cross-contamination risks. Restrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, lobby areas, often have their own dedicated color for cleaning tools to contain hazards within a particular zone and prevent cross-contamination between areas. ZONE A ZONE B TRAINING All your hard work and planning is useless if there is no follow through on the part of your employees. Stock your facility with color coded supplies and follow up with training of your staff to use them correctly and minimize contamination risks. Key areas for training include: y Proper use of color coded cutting boards and tools, and the reasons why y Emphasize the colors dedicated to specific foods according to industry standards, or customized for your operation y Importance of cleaning - Staff need to be trained and su- pervised on cleaning methods, proper chemical usage and frequency of cleaning and sanitizing food contact surfaces, colored or not Don’t underestimate the power of preventive controls and color coding to minimize cross-contamination hazards of all kinds in your operation. Being prepared with the proper supplies and training your staff to consistently follow your COLOR CODING SYSTEM and Standard Operating Procedures will strengthen your food safety program and help your operation soar high above these risks. ZONE C ZONE D Fall 2013 Food Safety Solutions 41 What is the Cost of Not Portioning? 1 extra shrimp 20 times per day = $3,796 a year 1 extra ounce 60 times per day = $1,574 a year 2 extra ounces 150 times per day = $1,027 a year Stop over-portioning. Control portion sizes with day-of-the-week Portion Bags. Portion bags are ideal for pre-portioning foods that require careful measurement such as seafood, poultry and meats. Order online at foodsafetysolutions.com or call 800 321 3687 FOOD SAFETY SPECIALTIES INC. Ecolab Pest Elimination STEALTH ® Fly Station NEW ,QGXVWU\OHDGLQJWHFKQRORJ\DQGH[SHUWVHUYLFH ,QGXVWU\OHDGLQJWHFKQRORJ\DQGH[SHUWVHUYLFH WRSURWHFW\RXUEXVLQHVVIURPODUJHpLHV WRSURWHFW\RXUEXVLQHVVIURPODUJHpLHV \ Reduce Reduce risk of of food food ccontamination ontamination \ Helpj Helpj `dgifm\fg\iXk`feXc\]]`Z`\eZp `dgifm\fg\iXk`feXc\]]`Z`\eZp GifXZk`m\gi\m\ek`fe]ifdk_\flkj`[\$`e \GifXZk`m\gi\m\ek`fe]ifdk_\flkj`[\$`e For more information F or mor e in formation ccall all 325.1671 Canada 1.800.352.5326 US 11.800. . 800 . 3 25. 1671 C anada 1.800 . 352.5326 Visit video see Visit video.ecolab.com/videos/pest-elimination .ecolab.com/videos/pest-elimination to to see STEAL TEALTH TH® )O\6WDWLRQ5'9LGHR'HPRQVWUDWLRQ )O\6WDWLRQ5'9LGHR'HPRQVWUDWLRQ the STEALTH Ì(FRODE86$,QF$OOULJKWVUHVHUYHG Ì(FRODE86$,QF$OOULJKWVUHVHUYHG Pest Profile FLY BEHAVIOR AND FOOD SAFETY BY CURT TURNER, ECOLAB PEST ELIMINATION Besides being a nuisance, flies can present a serious concern for those that handle or produce food. Large flies have been shown to transmit disease organisms from the filth they land on and breed in to food and food processing surfaces. Flies have long been associated with the spread of diseases such as Cholera, Typhoid Fever, Diphtheria and causative agents of Dysentery. These pests have also been shown to transfer the foodborne illnesses caused by E. coli and Salmonella.1 “The presence of large flies is considered a potential threat to food safety as large flies can easily transmit common pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli,” said Dr. John Barcay, senior scientist and urban entomologist, Ecolab Pest Elimination. “The presence of large flies is considered a potential threat to food safety as large flies can easily transmit common pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli,” An understanding of fly behavior, specifically related to finding food and water, finding mates and finding suitable breeding material is the basis for an effective management strategy. This knowledge, combined with the outside-in approach to managing and eliminating large flies will help reduce large fly pressure outside of structures, minimize entrance opportunities into structures and eliminate fly activity within structures. Adult flies are relatively short-lived insects that focus attention on critical life activities such as finding food and water, reproductive activity, and finding suitable breeding material for egg laying. House flies can travel large distances looking for suitable locations, with more than 15 miles recorded in 44 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 some instances.2 Once a food source is found, flies will remain in the area. This results in flies congregating in areas where there are attractive odors or materials on which to feed. Once a good breeding and feeding site has been found they will remain in the area. A female fly can lay multiple batches of eggs with up to 150 eggs in each and up to 900 eggs total in her life.4 This reproductive potential can result in population explosions and ‘blooms’ of millions of flies when food sources are plentiful and conditions are right. After mating, the task of finding suitable egg laying sites becomes a priority for female flies. Breeding material that has all the requisite nutrient, moisture and temperature conditions for larvae can be hard to find. Breeding site conditions must also persist long enough for the larvae to complete development. Male flies divide their time between finding food and water and trying to find and mate with female flies. Male flies, once they have found an attractive food source, will land near this source and exhibit ‘chasing’ behavior. Vantage-points for ‘chasing’ are along flyways leading to food sources and around entrances to where food and breeding materials are found.5 From these vantage points, male flies will look for and chase flies and other flying objects that come in their vicinity.6 Male flies are able to determine in flight if the chased object is another fly, whether it is male or female and if it is a potential mate.7 CREATING A BARRIER Because female flies fly directly to breeding sites and male flies stage near a food source, they behave differently at commercial structure entrances. At an entrance where odor signaling breeding material or a food source comes from inside the structure, female flies will fly directly into the structure and male flies will stage inside and outside the structure resulting in an equal ratio of males and females inside the structure.3 MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES THE EXTERIOR In general, female flies will fly directly to breeding sites, consisting of garbage and other fermenting materials that are often found on the outside of commercial structures. Male flies will stage near a food source, which is also often found on the outside of commercial structures, where they can perform chasing behavior. Capture devices such as jug traps will trap predominately female flies as they go directly to possible breeding material, and sticky traps will catch predominately male flies as they land on these surfaces to exhibit chasing behavior.8 Other methods to reduce fly pressure outside a commercial structure revolve around maintaining a clean and clutter-free environment. It is important to eliminate garbage spillage, close all garbage receptacles with tight-fitting covers and move garbage receptacles away from the structure when possible. It is also important to eliminate standing water around the facility, remove weeds, tall grass and other excessive vegetation and remove clutter and items stored on the ground near the structure. The recommendations below will help reduce conditions that attract large flies to the exterior of a commercial structure. y Eliminate spillage of garbage. y Close all garbage receptacles with tight-fitting covers. y Move garbage receptacles away from the facility whenever possible. y Eliminate standing water around the facility. y Remove weeds, tall grass and other excessive vegetation. y Remove clutter and items stored on the ground near the facility. y Consider other sources of large fly pressure from nearby Ecolab researchers discovered this behavior through numerous field and lab studies, specifically observing that flies are attracted to black surfaces. This observation led to studies that uncovered the powerful combination of an entrance, or something that mimics an entrance, and attractant odors. The STEALTH™ Fly Station was developed to take advantage of this knowledge and is an effective fly management tool in areas with high fly pressure. Minimize fly entry opportunities - The STEALTH™ Fly Station in addition to the recommendations below will help control large fly activity at entrances and minimize large fly entrance opportunities. y Seal all doors, inspect and repair entrances on a regular basis. y In high pressure situations consider double-door vestibules, air doors and plastic strip doors. y Minimize the amount of time doors and windows are left open. THE INTERIOR Many stimuli that have been shown to work outside of a commercial structure have limited or no effect on flies once in the structure.1 Once flies enter a structure, they identify a base area from which to explore their surroundings and return back to the base often in-between flights. Minimize conditions that support fly activity on the inside of a structure. y Eliminate all standing water and accumulated condensation. y Limit interior access where possible by keeping doors to back areas closed. y Clean food debris thoroughly and regularly. More information, including videos demonstrating some of Ecolab’s fly solutions can be seen at: www.ecolab.com/largefly locations and work with neighbors and the community to reduce fly activity in the area. References: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Lamiaa etal., 2007; AFPMB TG30, 2002 Winpisinger, 2005 Howard, 2001 and Nazni etal., 2005 Mallis, 2011 Ecolab laboratory and field observations Land & Collett, 1974; Trischler et al., 2010 Nelson, 1981; Wagner, 1986 Fall 2013 Food Safety Solutions 45 Good Habits Food Waste Bans food waste noun \ füd w st\ Definition: Compostable organic goods and scraps produced by restaurants, markets, processors, and food operations There is a growing debate on the merits of banning food waste, and many states are taking a closer look at this issue, requiring food facilities to separate their food waste and hire a “hauler” to pick it up and truck it away for composting. Why? Simply putting waste in the dumpster with the rest of the trash may be environmentally unfriendly. According to Californians Against Waste, for every ton of food waste diverted to composting instead of the landfill, almost a ton of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can be reduced. http://www.cawrecycles.org/issues/ghg/californiaplan Why can’t establishments just use a garbage disposal? This practice puts a considerable burden on cities’sewage treatment plants, and many communities currently restrict food operations from grinding their own scraps for disposal in the sewer system. Connecticut, Vermont and parts of California are already phasing in bans on depositing food scraps in landfills. Massachusetts passed a food waste ban for operations that generate greater than 1 ton of food waste/ week and it goes into effect July 2014. Concerns have been raised by industry and regulators alike, including space limitations to separate and store the waste, odors, pests, birds, insects and cross contamination hazards. Other issues include increase in truck traffic, removal costs, insufficient resources for waste pick up and potentially requiring a company to be a “Certified Food Hauler.” Guidelines were developed by MA Dept of Environmental Protection for food establishments handling, storage and hauling this material for composting purposes, including • Collecting food waste in the kitchen, storing in covered leak proof containers in the same area as trash • Removing waste at same frequency as trash to an outdoor storage area near the trash dumpster/compactor or as often as necessary to prevent odor, vermin and vector harborage • Hauler picking up for processing once or twice a week or as necessary Complete guidelines can be accessed at http://www.recyclingworksma.com/ 46 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 Fall 2013 Food Safety Solutions 47 Ecolab’s NEW Universal Daydots®! FOR DAYDOTS uring you check all aspects of your custom label (i.e. size, adhesive, please make a clear notation of the change. Once your review is rm. Fax the form back to your Ecolab FSS representative. If you have FOOD SAFETY SPECIALTIES INC. NFORMATION BY PLACING A CHECK IN THE BOX TO THE LEFT OF EACH ITEM: LABEL SIZE: 2x3 2 3 THIS WAY 4 THIS WAY THIS WAY COPY POSITION: (circle one) 1 THIS WAY FACE STOCK: AVAILABLE IN 3 DIFFERENT TYPES OF LABELS: Dissolvable Dissolvable paper labels melt completely in water of any temperature. DISSOLVABLE UNIVERSAL LABEL 2” X 3” #10320-00-21 Removable for use in wet environments. Plastic removable DuraLabels are made from a unique plastic that will not come off until you want it to, leaving no residue. Plastic Removable UNIVERSAL LABEL 2” X 3” #10290-00-21 ORDER YOURS TODAY: Call 800 321 3687 or go to foodsafetysolutions.com Removable for use in dry environments. Paper SupeRemovable labels must be removed before washing or water contact. Removable UNIVERSAL LABEL 2” X 3” # 10321-00-21 FOOD SAFETY SPECIALTIES INC. ___________________________ 48 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ©2013 Ecolab USA Inc. All rights reserved. Food Safety and the Law Alcohol Accountability BY STEPHEN BARTH, FOUNDER, HOSPITALITYLAWYER.COM We’ve all seen the recent ad campaign for “Drinkability”. It’s catchy. I am hopeful that “Accountability” will be just as catchy. We, the purveyors and servers of spirits, wine, and beer (SWB), need to hold ourselves and our employees accountable for the responsible service of those beverages. A culture of responsibility and accountability reminds staff everyday about responsible service. This occurs via daily lineups, POS system pop-up messages, insisting that service education occurs more frequently than the law requires, and policies that are consistently enforced. I still witness or hear about places that are rather flippant when it comes to responsible service and holding their employees accountable to that objective. Accountability starts with the culture of the operation. Many operators have a policy requiring a manager to authorize continued service to a patron after he/she has consumed a certain number of drinks. While this is a helpful policy, it ignores the issue of how much alcohol has been consumed by the customer. In some drinks that are being served today-- notably larger martinis—a customer can consume five to seven ounces of alcohol in just one drink (the equivalent of four to six mixed drinks with a 1.25-ounce pouring). Accordingly, we need policies that focus on the amount of alcohol served and consumed, not just the number of drinks. If managers take it seriously, the staff will take it seriously. If you have ten-ounce martinis, bottle service, managers or employees consuming alcohol (either surreptitiously or as part of the job on the premises), then your employees—well, you get the picture, I hope. A responsible service course is just the starting point for an accountability culture. Yes, you read that right: just the beginning. The typical four-hour course of old material, repeated only once every few years, is simply indefensible in a courtroom today. Also, we should all realize that training, education, repetition, and follow-up coaching are only effective if a culture of responsibility is in place. 50 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 Once the right policies are in place, it is imperative that all staff be held accountable for complying with those policies. The culture of accountability begins with the job description. It should clearly spell out the expectation that all staff members are expected to serve alcohol responsibly and in accordance with responsible training and education. The SOME ESSENTIAL POLICIES INCLUDE: 1. All servers of alcoholic beverages must be trained/certified in accordance with the state Alcoholic Beverage Commission Rules and Regulations. 2. Proof of certification shall be permanently placed in the employee’s personnel file. 3. Create a reminder system to maintain training/certifications. 4. All management and/or supervisors are responsible for keeping track of their particular employees to insure that re-certification occurs in a timely manner. If a certification expires, the employee shall not be allowed to work until the re-certified. 5. All policies and procedures established by the training/certification program shall be complied with and enforced by all employees. 6. No one under the age of 21 shall be served, allowed to consume, and/or sold an alcoholic beverage. (Note: In some states it is not unlawful for a parent or guardian to order an alcoholic beverage for a minor. Should the service establishment, in its discretion, choose to allow this service to occur, then it is suggested that the server serve the drink to the parent or guardian.) next step is to broaden the staff that is included in the responsible training pool. We should be inclusive rather than exclusive. Anyone that might interact with a customer that is consuming alcohol should be included in the training. So, in addition to the usual managers, bartenders and servers, effective policies on training also include hosts, hostesses, bussers, bouncers and valets. In addition to the daily reminders of responsible service policies mentioned above, responsible and accountable cultures use mystery shoppers to insure compliance with the policies and take prompt remedial action when they find gaps in compliance. It is absolutely crucial that operators clearly demonstrate their commitment to the responsible service of alcohol by implementing strict inventory control programs and ensuring that management staff strictly complies with the policies. Here’s one final word about manager training in the responsible service of alcohol. I have been involved in several cases recently where managers that were required to be certified had arranged to get the certificate without actually going through the course. That is a one-way ticket to an extra-large verdict and possible jail term for falsifying a government document, assuming it has been submitted to the alcohol beverage commission. Operators, verify that all managers have gone through the courses; it will serve you well and it demonstrates a commitment to the responsible service of alcohol and accountability. 7. Coming to work or working under the influence of alcohol or any illicit drug is strictly prohibited. 8. Employees of the club (including management) are strictly prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages before, during, or after their shift while on the licensed premises. 9. Removal of alcoholic beverages by employees from the licensed premises is strictly forbidden. 10.All drink recipes must be followed. Over pouring is strictly prohibited. 11. Drinks containing spirits, including martinis, Long Island Iced Teas, and Hurricanes, shall not contain more than two ounces of spirits in the aggregate. 12.Bottle Service is not allowed. 13.Follow the Designated Driver program rules. Please remember that just because a group has a designated driver does not lessen our obligation to serve alcohol responsibly to the rest of the group. Fall 2013 Food Safety Solutions 51 Breaking Down the Language Barriers MULTILINGUAL POSTERS ÉE CROIS ATION TAMIN EVENTION N O C A PR N DE L MINATION A ENTIO PRÉV OSS-CONT CR LEUR E COU D E D CO DE UR CO O L O C MULTILINGUAL 11” X 17” POSTERS ARE NEW AND IMPROVED: FOOD ROTATION TAIRE ROTACIÓN DE LOS ALIMENTOS LIMEN INE A IG R IES D’O ALAD LNESS LES M RNE IL IR N B E D O O O F PRÉV T EN PREV HELP ETIQUETAR, FECHAR, ROTAR LABEL, DATE, ROTATE English/Spanish on one side and English/French on the other Food and ingredients removed from their original containers must be labeled for easy identification Los alimentos y los ingredientes retirados de sus contenedores originales deben etiquetarse para su fácil identificación SAFETY INC. LTIES SPECIA s.ca pecialtie erved. dsafetys s. All Rights Res • foo rvé 21.3687 Inc. Tous droits rése 800.3 FOOD lab USA 0 Eco © 201 FOOD SAFETY SPECIALTIES INC. 800.321.3687 • foodsafetysolutions.com © 2010 Ecolab USA Inc. All Rights Reserved. 20427-09-31 CROSS-CONTAMINATION PREVENTION TEMPERATURE CONTROL PERSONAL HYGIENE PREVENCIÓN DE CONTAMINACIÓN CRUZADA CONTROL DE TEMPERATURA HIGIENE PERSONAL HAND WASHING LAVANDO LAS MANOS All employees must wash hands before returning to work PROPER COOKING TEMPERATURES ICE IS A FOOD TEMPERATURAS CORRECTAS DE COCINAR Use designated ice buckets and scoops EL HIELO ES UN ALIMENTO Use las cubetas y cucharones designados Todos los empleados deben lavarse las manos antes de trabajar FOOD SAFETY SPECIALTIES INC. Order online at foodsafetysolutions.com or call us at 800 321 3687 145ºF (63ºC) for 15 seconds 145ºF (63ºC) for 3 minutes Seafood, Steak and Pork (whole cuts) Beef or Pork Roast 63ºC (145ºF) por 15 segundos 63ºC (145ºF) por 3 minutos Pescado, bistec y puerco (cortes enteros) Carne para asar (res o puerco) 155ºF (68ºC) for 15 seconds 165ºF (74ºC) for 15 seconds Ground meats, ground fish, eggs for holding Poultry, stuffed foods, microwaved TCS 68ºC (155ºF) por 15 segundos Aves de corral, alimentos rellenos, alimentos cocidos en horno microonda que requieren control de tiempo y temperatura por seguridad (TCS) Carne molida, pescado molido, huevos FOOD SAFETY SPECIALTIES INC. 800.321.3687 • foodsafetysolutions.com © 2010 Ecolab USA Inc. All Rights Reserved. 20427-04-31 FOOD SAFETY SPECIALTIES INC. 800.321.3687 • foodsafetysolutions.com © 2010 Ecolab USA Inc. All Rights Reserved. 74ºC (165ºF) por 15 segundos 20427-03-31 FOOD SAFETY SPECIALTIES INC. 800.321.3687 • foodsafetysolutions.com © 2010 Ecolab USA Inc. All Rights Reserved. 20427-08-31 1. Wash Hands Frequently 2. Use Hand Sanitizer* THINK THE FLU FLU IS NO BIG DEAL? L? THINK AGAIN. DEA AGAIN. 3. Clean, Rinse and Disinfect Hard Surfaces workers all ffoodservice oodservice w orkers need to to do their part part to to protect themselves, peers p rotect them selves, pee rs and guests. guests. 4. Keep Hands Away From Eyes, Nose and Mouth Y early e Yearly effects ffects* 5 -20% o opulation A ffected 5-20% off P Population Affected 5. Get Flu Vaccine 3 6,000 Die ((on on A verage) 36,000 Average) C ost tto oU .S. busin esses Cost U.S. businesses 7 5 Million D ays o ork A bsence** 75 Days off W Work Absence $10 B illion In P aid Sick T ime*** Billion Paid Time 2 00 Million D ays o roductivity** 200 Days off Diminished P Productivity Impact Im pact on a w worker orker**** Spends 2 .4 D ays in B ed 2.4 Days Bed Mi sses 2.8 D ays o ork Misses Days off W Work Sluggish ffor or 3 .5 D ays upon R eturn 3.5 Days Return t Partner Partner with Ecolab Ecolab to to help minimize minimize your your exposure exposure to \ Full Full line of of EPA-registered EPA-registered hard hard surface surface disinfectants disinfectan \ Wide Wide range range of of hand hygiene hygiene products products ****http://occmed.oxfordjournals.org ****http://occmed.oxfordjournals.org UT Y TO CUT YOUR OUR F FLU LU RISK, C CUT UT HERE AND HANG THIS IN Y YOUR OUR KI KITCHEN. TCHEN. 2 00,000 H ospitalized 200,000 Hospitalized 6. Cover Mouth and Nose When Sneezing or Coughing 7. Stay Home and Rest When Sick For more information, call 1.800.942.3002 or visit Hit the Books It’s Flu Season BY MIRIAM EISENBERG MS, RD, CP-FS These good practices have added benefits as well: y Reduce employee absenteeism y Reduce risk of spread of ANY infection of guests (flu, norovirus, etc) y Improve guest & employee perception by showing concern for their wellness Flu is Contagious! Remind your staff about flu protection and prevention! With the fall, comes the flu (human influenza) season. It generally lasts until early spring with the peak being January and February. Year to year, flu seasons are unpredictable so the timing, severity and duration of this flu season are still unknown. Experts believe the flu is spread from person to person through droplets in the air when coughing, sneezing and talking and also by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your mouth, nose and eyes. The seasonal flu virus is able to persist for significant times on different surfaces, which can result in possible transmission to others. Flu viruses can survive 24 to 48 hours on stainless steel and plastic surfaces while viruses tend to desiccate or “dry out” more quickly when in contact with cloth or fibrous material. This explains lower survival rates on these surfaces of 8 to 12 hours. However, while still in the survival mode, the virus can transfer to hands as well where it can survive for five minutes. Source: Bean et al. 1982. Survival of influenza viruses on environmental surfaces. J. Infect Dis. 146(1):47-51. Now is a good time to reinforce good practices of personal hygiene and cross-contamination prevention. y Cover your coughs and sneezes (cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow) y Don’t touch your face during food preparation and contact y Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly y Change gloves as needed (with a proper handwash as well!) y Wash, rinse and sanitize surfaces to decrease any contami- nation and use disinfectant as needed in the height of the season. y If you don’t feel well, STAY HOME! Note: You can be contagious one day before you show symptoms so good personal hygiene and cleaning habits come into play (just like preventing the spread of foodborne illness) before the illness even strikes. Disinfect high touch-point surfaces regularly with a properly registered disinfectant. This includes not just back of house but also use disinfectant on surfaces in restrooms (remember door handles and flush levers), counters and self-surface areas, tables and chairs and general public areas. In the hospitality segment, don’t forget about the many touch points in guest rooms like light and air control switches, remotes, door knobs and TV controls as well. 54 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 y Be ready for potential outbreak or pandemic when it does occur The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reminds us that flu symptoms can vary from person to person and to remind people to be aware of their symptoms which may include: y Fever* or feeling feverish/chills y Cough y Sore throat y Runny or stuffy nose y Muscle or body aches y Headaches y Fatigue (very tired) y Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. *Not everyone with flu will have a fever. The best method to help prevent the flu is to get vaccinated with a “flu shot.” Each year a new flu vaccine “cocktail” is assembled for the expected flu strains. Getting your shot as soon as this season’s vaccine is available is highly recommended. This allows for the two weeks needed to build up antibody protection before the season peaks. Check with your health professional about the best prevention for you. Flu from year to year can have different degrees of virulence. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people. As with many FBI, the flu can be most serious for those who are high risk – young children, the elderly, pregnant women and the immune-compromised. To minimize risk this flu season, a coordinated effort of training, good personal habit reinforcement and a proper cleaning program can help bring down exposure and risk for your guests and your employees. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/ disease/ http://www.flu.gov/ PROVEN QUALITY ASSURANCE A new level of insight that’s trusted by major brands. With EcoSure, leading foodservice & hospitality firms make proven progress in food safety & brand protection every year. EcoSure services Food safety Workplace safety Brand standards Guest experience Product quality retrieval Training Call to learn more about EcoSure’s range of capabilities. 1-866-326-7871 option 3 www.ecosure.com Good Habits Food Truck Survival It is a “fad” that’s simply not going away. In the last few years food trucks have been increasing in popularity, popping up on waterfronts, festivals, and street corners year- round. These mobile food operations range from simple hot dog carts to full menu restaurants on wheels, perhaps the most unusual being a “brick oven-mobile,” bringing fresh oven-baked pizzas to crowds on the street. Though their wheels may be rolling from town to town, they are subject to the same food safety regulations as more traditional storefronts, as food safety risks are still a concern. Spatial and equipment limitations can impact storage capacity, preparation areas and sanitation. Consequently, factors that contribute to cross-contamination, temperature abuse and personal hygiene abound. Food trucks are treated by food regulatory agencies as food establishments for the most part, and are issued varying licenses, seasonal or year-round permits. Most require licensing and inspections by each city or jurisdiction that they are servicing, and must comply with the same food safety regulations as more permanent establishments. Requirements often include a potable water supply, hand sink, warewashing facilities, coolers and holding units able to maintain proper internal temperatures. A particular challenge of these traveling food facilities is having a secure method for receiving deliveries and storage. Regulators often disallow shopping in retail stores or storing products in home kitchens due to concerns about unsafe food sources, transport and storage. Solutions include using a commissary, a shared kitchen, or other licensed “brick and mortar” establishment to receive, prepare and store products properly. Some jurisdictions require all food preparation to be done at the mobile unit itself, to avoid temperature abuse and contamination issues during transport. While challenges exist, most can be overcome with planning and cooperation with food regulatory agencies and the final food results can be pretty spectacular. 56 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 Fall 2013 Food Safety Solutions 57 Protect Your Investment REVITALIZE YOUR COOLER/FREEZER EQUIPMENT WITH PARTS INVESTMENT BY LINDSAY KIMBALL, ECOLAB EQUIPMENT CARE/GCS SERVICE, INC. KEEP FOOD SAFE AND REDUCE ENERGY COSTS Coolers and freezers need to be running under optimal conditions to ensure both food safety and operating efficiency. To do this, it is critical to properly clean and calibrate the equipment on a regular basis. Avoid Food Safety Risks Lack of proper maintenance and calibration can result in food safety hazards. 22% of contaminated foods are due to inadequate cleaning of kitchen equipment.1 Neglecting preventative maintenance and repairs of vital parts of the unit can lead to elevated holding temperatures. End results of this include spoiled food, increased risk of foodborne illness, and violation of health codes. Properly managing the cleanliness and functionality of your refrigeration equipment is a simple way to prevent food safety issues. Reduce your energy costs Maintaining your current refrigeration equipment is the most cost-effective measure you can take in order to preserve energy costs. Poorly maintained coolers in the kitchen cause inefficiency and higher energy costs, which translates to an average of $1,020 in extra expenditures per year.2 Cleaning and replacing small parts can make all of the difference in maintaining both the health of your equipment as well as making it as efficient as possible. KEY TIPS In order to maximize operating efficiency, while improving food quality and ensuring food safety, you can take several easy steps to optimize your cooler environment and decrease your bottom line: Invest in a cooler filter A simple way to save energy on your refrigeration unit is to place a cooler filter in the device. With a filter, the air in the unit is dryer and is easier to cool than moist air, allowing temperatures to drop up to 5 degrees. This can lead to energy savings of about 20%. Installing a filter lessens the moisture in the refrigeration unit which results in less mold and bacterial growth. These filters absorb and remove odors making your food both taste better and safer for your customers. Get energy-efficient LED lighting LED lighting can instantly cut 60% to 90% of lighting energy costs. These fixtures also have a 6-7 year lamp life, which is about 66 times longer than a standard bulb. Energy efficient lighting can emit 75%-85% less heat which saves on cooling costs.3 Also, motion sensing technology makes sure the lights are only on when needed. Not only will this save your business money, but is better for the environment. Replace door gaskets on your cooler A cracked, loose or non-existent door gasket can cause major problems for refrigeration equipment. It is vital to replace brittle or leaking seals. Without replacement, it can cause warm box temperatures, spoiled food, high energy consumption, and heavy frost buildup on evaporators and holding plates. Clean condenser coils Condenser coils tend to accumulate an excessive amount of build-up and lead to increases in operating discharge pressure. These high pressures result in amplified energy consumption, a reduction in refrigeration capacity and can shorten the life of the hardware itself. Cleaning coils can instantly save up to 25% of your annual energy consumption and protect your evaporator.4 Implement a demand-defrost system REFERENCES AND FURTHER INFORMATION: 1 2 3 4 CDC 2006 MMWR 55(SS10):1-34 http://www.sustainablefoodservice.com/cat/energy-efficienc20.y.htm Why Kason for LED Walk-in Lighting?, www.kasonind.com Energy Smart Library Online, http://www.energyguide.com/library/EnergyLibraryTopic.asp?bid=eweb&prd=20&TID=23128 &SubjectID=9735 5 Managing Energy Costs in Quick-Service Restaurants. Business Energy Advisor, http://bea.tva.esource.com 58 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 The majority of standard time-based defrost machines utilize up to 20% of the energy consumed by walk-in freezer units. The modern demand-based system only initiates defrost when necessary. Employing this system has the potential to reduce 40% percent in energy consumption in comparison to legacy units.5 EQUIPMENT CARE GET THE RIGHT PARTS FOR YOUR COMMERCIAL KITCHEN EQUIPMENT ON TIME, EVERY TIME WITH PARTSXPRESS Ensure quicker equipment repair and less costly downtime with Equipment Care’s PartsXpress program. This program helps you reduce your replacement part costs by offering a customized online e-commerce website that helps you control costs through centralized purchasing. y 75,000 SKUs from over 400 OEMs site only for our VIP customers. y OEM MANUALS providing technical support for parts research and equipment diagnosis. y SEARCH by OEM#, OEM name, and description to find your parts easily. y PARTS y QUICK ORDER your parts on the home page or one-click reorder from your Order History to save time. y Dedicated PartsXpress Specialists at your service y Easy parts search and ordering y SAME DAY shipping for all in-stock items 7:00AM-8:00PM, EST Parts Feature: Energy efficient LED lighting for your walk-in cooler/freezer KASON 1806 LED RETRO KIT OEM#: 11806LED011 SAP#: 75202618KASON y EXCLUSIVE IMAGES help identify the right parts you need. Program Features: KASON 1806 LED FIXTURE OEM#: 1806LED001 SAP#: 75202617 PARTSXPRESS VIP WEBSITE Your parts. Your prices. http://partsxpressVIP.ecolab.com KASON 1901 SERIES MOTION SENSOR OEM#: 11901-5 SAP#: 75202619 KASON 1810 LED FIXTURE OEM#: 1810L21248LB SAP#: 75202616 y SUPER USER account configuration allows in-house technicians to order parts for all of your locations. CALL US 1 800 822 2303 Option 2 partsxpress@ecolab.com Featured Products NEW COLOR-CODED CUTTING BOARDS ECOLAB ANTI-SLIP CUTTING BOARDS DURABLE NEW CUTTING BOARDS FROM ECOLAB INCLUDE THESE FEATURES w Dishwasher Safe w Anti-Slip Feet w Anti-Slip Edge Bumpers w Textured Surfaces w Carry Handle w Embossed Rulers (inch and cm) w Available in three sizes and seven colors w Purple color available in 13” x 19” and 16” x 21” sizes only w NSF Certified DISHWASHER SAFE ANTI-SLIP FEET SIDE BUMPERS FOR ON-EDGE STORAGE CARRY HANDLE EMBOSSED RULERS & TEXTURED SURFACE PURPLE BOARD IS AVAILABLE IN 13” X 19” AND 16” X 21” SIZES 13” X 19” (33 X 48 CM) #30250-00-00 White #30250-01-00 Blue #30250-02-00 Yellow #30250-03-00 Red #30250-04-00 Brown #30250-05-00 Green #30250-08-00 Purple Individual or case of 6 16” X 21” (40.5 X 53.5 CM) $15.97 $15.97 $15.97 $15.97 $15.97 $15.97 $15.97 #30251-00-00 White #30251-01-00 Blue #30251-02-00 Yellow #30251-03-00 Red #30251-04-00 Brown #30251-05-00 Green #30251-08-00 Purple Individual or case of 6 19” X 25” (48 X 63.5 CM) $21.81 $21.81 $21.81 $21.81 $21.81 $21.81 $21.81 #30252-00-00 White #30252-01-00 Blue #30252-02-00 Yellow #30252-03-00 Red #30252-04-00 Brown #30252-05-00 Green Individual or case of 6 $30.82 $30.82 $30.82 $30.82 $30.82 $30.82 13” X 19” (33 X 48 CM) 6 COLOR KIT 16” X 21” (40.5 X 53.5 CM) 6 COLOR KIT 19” X 25” (48 X 63.5 CM) 6 COLOR KIT Includes white, blue, yellow, red, brown, green #30250-90-00 $91.37 Includes white, blue, yellow, red, brown, green #30251-90-00 $124.25 Includes white, blue, yellow, red, brown, green #30252-90-00 $175.44 60 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 NEW ECOLAB CUTTING BOARDS New Cutting Boards from Ecolab are available in a variety of colors to augment your HACCP plan and help to prevent cross-contamination. Features include: w Dishwasher Safe w Textured Surfaces w Carry Handle w Embossed Rulers (inch and cm) 12” X 18” (30.5 X 45.5 CM) #30240-00-00 White #30240-01-00 Blue #30240-02-00 Yellow #30240-03-00 Red #30240-04-00 Brown #30240-05-00 Green Individual or case of 6 12” X 18” (30.5 X 45.5 CM) 6 COLOR KIT w Available in three sizes and six colors w NSF Certified 15” X 20” (38 X 52 CM) $10.66 $10.66 $10.66 $10.66 $10.66 $10.66 #30241-00-00 White #30241-01-00 Blue #30241-02-00 Yellow #30241-03-00 Red #30241-04-00 Brown #30241-05-00 Green Individual or case of 6 18” X 24” (45.5 X 61 CM) $15.08 $15.08 $15.08 $15.08 $15.08 $15.08 15” X 20” (38 X 52 CM) 6 COLOR KIT #30242-00-00 White #30242-01-00 Blue #30242-02-00 Yellow #30242-03-00 Red #30242-04-00 Brown #30242-05-00 Green Individual or case of 6 $21.27 $21.27 $21.27 $21.27 $21.27 $21.27 18” X 24” (45.5 X 61 CM) 6 COLOR KIT Includes white, blue, yellow, red, brown, green Includes white, blue, yellow, red, brown, green Includes white, blue, yellow, red, brown, #30240-90-00 $60.47 #30241-90-00 $85.36 green #30242-90-00 $120.11 NEW ECOLAB PAILS Sanitizer pails should only be used to store sanitizing solutions. The pails bright red color and clear warning instructions help reduce the risk of contaminating food with potentially hazardous solutions. NEW ECOLAB SANITIZER & DETERGENT 6QT. PAILS y Ergonomic plastic handle for comfortable carrying y Recessed base for easy carrying and splash reduction y Slanted lip for easier pouring y Durable, wear resistant ink meets health department requirements y Dedicated area for a sanitizer discard label y Embossed quart/liter markings y Available wall-mount hanger y One Year Warranty SANITIZING SOLUTION ONLY PAIL #60503-12-31 $3.49 DETERGENT SOLUTION ONLY PAIL #60504-12-31 EASY POUR LIP CHEMICAL-RESISTANT PRINT $3.49 STRONG ERGONOMIC HANDLE Fall 2013 Food Safety Solutions 61 Featured Products ECOLAB ICE-HANDLERS ECOLAB ICE-HANDLER FEATURES y y y y Dishwasher safe Superior construction minimizes potential for chips and cracks Ice Handler “feet” elevate bucket to prevent wear Made in the USA of 100% recyclable plastic #30530-00-31 FILLING y Ice Handler sits flush with edge of ice machine reducing spills and potential for slips and falls y Fill-assist hook latches securely to ice machine POURING Ergonomic carry grip and pour-n-store bottom handle improve leverage, making pouring easier $32.93 STORING Ice Handler can be stored on metro shelving or on Ecolab designed wall hanger using the pour-n-store handle y Wide mouth makes filling a breeze and also helps to reduce spills y Transports up to 25 lbs or 6 gallons of ice ICE-HANDLER SCOOP KITS y Ice scoop and ice scoop holder included y Holder made of stainless steel y Can be fastened to an ice machine or a nearby wall y Mounting hardware and double sided tape included ICE-HANDLER SCOOPS y Large scoop designed for filling the Ice Handler y Small scoop designed for filling glasses y Ergonomic handle design 16oz KIT #30541-90-00 $19.58 64oz KIT #30540-90-00 $21.51 y Made in the USA of durable, recyclable plastic 16oz SCOOP ONLY #30541-00-00 $6.88 64oz SCOOP ONLY #30540-00-00 $9.30 ALL PRICES ARE IN US DOLLARS ORDER TODAY AT FOODSAFETYSOLUTIONS.COM OR 800 321 3687 62 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 ECOLAB UNIVERSAL DAYDOTS ONE LABEL FOR ALL DAYS OF THE WEEK Ecolab’s NEW Universal Daydots are the perfect choice if you are unsure of which label you want to use. The Universal Daydots help eliminate the need to have a label for each day of the week and provide the critical information necessary to identify and rotate foods. Choose the appropriate adhesive for the intended application and you are ready-to-go! y y One label covers every day of the week Provides all of the critical food rotation labeling fields AVAILABLE IN 3 DIFFERENT TYPES OF LABELS: Removable Universal Label 2” X 2” #10322-00-21 Roll of 750. $10.87 Plastic Removable Universal Label 2” X 2” #10292-00-21 Roll of 750. $15.63 Dissolvable Universal Label 2” x 3” #10320-00-21 Roll of 500. $22.25 Removable Universal Label 2” X 1” #10323-00-21 Roll of 1500. $11.28 Plastic Removable Universal Label 2” x 3” #10290-00-21 Roll of 500. $14.85 Dissolvable Universal Label 2” X 1” #10333-00-21 Roll of 1500. $24.82 Removable Universal Label 2” x 3” #10321-00-21 Roll of 500. $10.50 Plastic Removable Universal Label 2” X 1” #10293-00-21 Roll of 1500. $16.92 ECOLAB DISPOSABLE GLOVES ECOLAB POLY GLOVES y y y y Ideal for tasks that require frequent glove changes Looser fit allows for easy slip on and off Recommended for short use applications Box of 500 #30701-13-11 #30701-14-11 #30701-15-11 #30701-16-11 Small Medium Large X-Large $2.19 $2.19 $2.19 $2.19 CASE OF TEN - 15% SAVINGS #30701-43-11 #30701-44-11 #30701-45-11 #30701-46-11 Small Medium Large X-Large $18.60 $18.60 $18.60 $18.60 ECOLAB TEXTURED NITRILE GLOVES ECOLAB LIGHTLY-POWDERED VINYL GLOVES y Premium, textured material which is durable and puncture-resistance y Comfortable and formfitting which providing greater fingertip sensitivity y Resistant to breakdown in glove material from animal fats, oils and acidic fruits y Box of 100 #30714-13-11 #30714-14-11 #30714-15-11 #30714-16-11 Small Medium Large X-Large $7.98 $7.98 $7.98 $7.98 CASE OF TEN - 15% SAVINGS #30714-43-11 #30714-44-11 #30714-45-11 #30714-46-11 Small Medium Large X-Large $67.90 $67.90 $67.90 $67.90 y y y y Flexible material allows for greater dexterity and fingertip sensitivity Lightly-powdered for easy glove removal Effective for any food preparation activity Box of 100 #30703-13-11 #30703-14-11 #30703-15-11 #30703-16-11 Small Medium Large X-Large $3.35 $3.35 $3.35 $3.35 CASE OF TEN - 15% SAVINGS #30703-43-11 #30703-44-11 #30703-45-11 #30703-46-11 Small Medium Large X-Large $28.50 $28.50 $28.50 $28.50 ALL PRICES ARE IN US DOLLARS ORDER TODAY AT FOODSAFETYSOLUTIONS.COM OR 800 321 3687 Fall 2013 Food Safety Solutions 63 DON’T GET STUCK WITH THIS VIOLATION Tired of adhesive residue? Ecolab Food Safety Specialties Inc. can solve this problem. DuraLabel Daydots are plastic and waterproof meaning removal from your containers is simple and easy, even after dishwashing. Order today by calling 800 321 3687 or visiting foodsafetysolutions.com FOOD SAFETY SPECIALTIES INC. © 2013 Ecolab USA Inc. All rights reserved. Grilled to Perfection! Ecolab Thin Tip Pocket Digital Thermometer ORDER YOURS TODAY: BY PHONE - 800 321 3687 ONLINE - FOODSAFETYSOLUTIONS.COM OR YOUR ECOLAB REPRESENTATIVE Food For Thought Allergen Training in Foodservice BY CINDY RICE Allergens are a growing concern in the restaurant industry and restaurants are increasingly aware of the need to prevent allergic reactions in their customers. One recent study found that 80% of allergic individuals have had allergic reactions while eating outside the home, while only one third of them carry epinephrine pens with them at all times.* So even though it should be a shared responsibility between allergic customers and restaurants when it comes to providing safe meals, right now it is largely up to food operations to put procedures in place that can prevent reactions to begin with. Education and staff training is the key to allergen safety, and it needs to be done IN ADVANCE with all employees. This training should be done on every hire, with every change in menu item, with no exception and your training sessions should focus on these 2 zones of your operation: Front and Back of house. One recent study found that 80% of allergic individuals have had allergic reactions while eating outside the home The first step is to explain the 8 major food allergens and food intolerances to all employees and why this issue is vital to your customers. The eight major allergens according to FDA include dairy, eggs, soy, wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish and fish, though individuals have reported over 160 foods causing allergic reactions, according to CDC. The most common food intolerances are to gluten and lactose, but someone can have a food sensitivity to any number of food items and they should be avoided, just as an allergen. Remember that total avoidance of an allergen is the only way to prevent an adverse reaction and staff training should include the following areas to help ensure allergen safety. Back of house KITCHEN STAFF y Reviewing ingredients of all menu items and recipes, noting items that contain any major allergens y Methods for preventing cross-contact with allergens in preparing dishes for allergic customers: e.g., avoiding use of certain ingredients, using clean equipment or dedicated cutting board/knives, changing gloves, washing hands y Reading ingredient labels, according to FALCPA guidelines, and identify hidden allergens commonly found in foods. Omit or substitute these ingredients as necessary 66 Food Safety Solutions Fall 2013 y Displaying kitchen posters for food workers, showing pictures of 8 major allergens and procedures for preventing cross-contact during preparation y Cleaning protocol for equipment and kitchen tools y Emergency procedures in case of an allergic reaction (e.g., call 911 immediately and notify management) y Additional training as the menu, recipe ingredients, manufacturer or products change Front of house SERVERS, HOSTS, MANAGERS y Order-taking protocol- recording information from customer about their food allergy or dietary concern and communicating information accurately with kitchen staff using order pads or POS system y Communicate ingredient information accurately and truthfully to customer, obtaining additional information from kitchen staff if unsure. DO NOT GUESS. y Display posters in work areas depicting proper procedures for communicating with customers and kitchen staff In all of our interactions with customers, we need to be sensitive and courteous, as many feel alienated, self-conscious or troublesome as they discuss their dietary concerns. Customers want to trust us but we have to earn that trust. And wouldn’t we love to have more customers as a result? Train your staff in handling allergens safely, from Front of the House to Back, and it will be a Win-Win for all. * Food Allergy Education Project; by Dr. Christine Bruhn, University of CaliforniaDavis, and Cornell University. Statistics and study presented at the USDA/NSF Food Safety Education Conference in March 2010, in Atlanta GA ICE IS A FOOD Handle it correctly with the new Ecolab Ice-Handler Easier filling, pouring and storing y y y y Helps reduce spills with wide mouth bucket One hand operation with fill assist hook Large capacity holds up to 25 lbs of ice Ergonomic handle makes transport safer Order yours today: Call 800 321 3687 or go to foodsafetysolutions.com FOOD SAFETY SPECIALTIES INC. © 2013 Ecolab USA Inc. All rights reserved. Customer # FOOD SAFETY SPECIALTIES INC. Source Code PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Ecolab FSS M2-0034 1801 Riverbend West Drive Fort Worth, TX 76118-7031 Phone 800 321 3687 Fax 800 458 7002 foodsafetysolutions.com Canadian Customers: foodsafetyspecialties.ca NEW ECOLAB COLOR-CODED CUTTING BOARDS SEE FEATURED PRODUCTS SECTION ON PAGE 60 FOR MORE INFORMATION Order today at foodsafetysolutions.com or call 800 321 3687 © 2013 Ecolab USA Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners Prices subject to change. Printed in the USA.
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