The Importance of Hygiene in Food Premises. Or: It's not cool to be filthy!

Recently my wife and I visited a branch of a chain of reasonably well known coffee houses. It was utterly filthy and it was clear that the premises had not been properly cleaned in weeks or even longer. And the toilets were even worse. 

As a result of our experience, we have written this blogpost as a reminder that hygiene and cleanliness is of vital importance.

Hygiene is a cornerstone of any food-related business, from restaurants and cafes to food manufacturing plants and catering services.

 Ensuring high standards of cleanliness and safety is not only a legal requirement but also crucial for protecting public health and maintaining a reputable business. In this blog post, we'll explore why hygiene is vitally important in food premises and the key practices to uphold these standards.

1. Preventing Foodborne Illnesses

Health Risks:

One of the primary reasons for maintaining hygiene in food premises is to prevent foodborne illnesses. Contaminated food can harbour harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites, leading to serious health issues such as food poisoning, salmonella, E. coli, and norovirus infections. These illnesses can result in severe symptoms, long-term health complications, and, in extreme cases, death.

Cross-Contamination:

Cross-contamination occurs when harmful microorganisms are transferred from one food or surface to another. This can happen through improper handling of raw and cooked foods, unclean surfaces, or using the same utensils for different food items. Stringent hygiene practices, such as regular hand washing, sanitising surfaces, and using separate equipment for raw and cooked foods, are essential to prevent cross-contamination.

2. Compliance with Legal Standards

Food Safety Regulations:

Food premises are required to adhere to strict food safety regulations and standards set by authorities such as the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK. These regulations cover everything from food handling and storage to personal hygiene and equipment cleanliness. Failure to comply can result in penalties, fines, closure of the business, and even legal action.

Regular Inspections:

Health inspectors conduct regular inspections of food premises to ensure compliance with hygiene standards. These inspections assess factors like food storage, cleanliness, pest control, and staff hygiene. Poor inspection results can damage a business’s reputation, leading to loss of customers and revenue.

3. Protecting Your Business Reputation

Customer Trust:

A clean and hygienic environment fosters trust among customers. People are more likely to frequent and recommend food establishments that prioritise cleanliness and safety. On the other hand, reports of poor hygiene or foodborne illness outbreaks can severely damage a business’s reputation, leading to a decline in customer numbers and financial losses.

Positive Reviews and Ratings:

In today's digital age, online reviews and ratings play a significant role in a business’s success. High standards of hygiene can lead to positive reviews, boosting your business's visibility and attractiveness to potential customers. Conversely, negative reviews highlighting hygiene issues can deter potential customers and harm your brand.

4. Ensuring Staff and Customer Safety

Staff Health:

Maintaining hygiene is not only about protecting customers but also about safeguarding staff health. Staff members working in a clean environment are less likely to contract illnesses that could result in sick leave or even the spread of infections to customers. Proper hygiene training for staff is essential to ensure they understand and implement best practices.

Allergen Management:

Effective hygiene practices also play a crucial role in managing food allergens. Cross-contact with allergens can have severe consequences for allergic individuals, including life-threatening reactions. Clear labelling, separate preparation areas, and thorough cleaning procedures are necessary to prevent allergen contamination.

5. Key Hygiene Practices

Personal Hygiene:

Staff should maintain high levels of personal hygiene, including regular hand washing, wearing clean uniforms, and using hairnets or caps. Staff with symptoms of illness should not handle food, as they could contaminate it.

Cleaning and Sanitising:

Regular cleaning and sanitising of all surfaces, equipment, and utensils are crucial. Use appropriate cleaning agents and follow a schedule to ensure all areas are covered, including hard-to-reach places.

Proper Food Storage:

Store food at the correct temperatures and in appropriate conditions to prevent spoilage and contamination. Raw and cooked foods should be stored separately to avoid cross-contamination.

Pest Control:

Implement an effective pest control plan to keep pests like rodents, insects, and birds away from food premises. This includes sealing entry points, keeping areas clean, and conducting regular inspections.

Conclusion

Hygiene in food premises is not merely about meeting regulatory requirements; it is a fundamental aspect of running a responsible and successful food business. By prioritising cleanliness and safety, you protect your customers, employees, and your business's reputation. 

Implementing rigorous hygiene practices helps prevent foodborne illnesses, comply with the law, and build trust with your clientele. In the competitive food industry, high standards of hygiene are not just an obligation but a vital component of quality service and customer satisfaction.

The importance of good hygiene in the home kitchen

A clean domestic kitchen

Good hygiene in the home kitchen is crucial for several reasons:

Food Safety: Good hygiene practices, such as regular handwashing and proper cleaning of kitchen surfaces, utensils, and equipment, help prevent the spread of harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that can contaminate food and cause foodborne illnesses.

Pets: Don't allow pets to play on food preparation areas. And if they do, carefully and kindly remove them and clean the area thoroughly. 

Prevention of Cross-Contamination: Proper hygiene reduces the risk of cross-contamination, where harmful bacteria from raw foods, such as meat and poultry, are transferred to ready-to-eat foods, leading to foodborne illnesses. Separate cutting boards, utensils, and storage areas for raw and cooked foods can help prevent cross-contamination.

Prolonged Food Freshness: Keeping the kitchen clean and free from spills, crumbs, and food residues can deter pests like insects and rodents that are attracted to food scraps. Proper storage and handling of perishable foods also help prevent spoilage and extend their shelf life.

Health of Household Members: Maintaining good hygiene in the kitchen contributes to the overall health and well-being of household members by reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses and other infections.

Positive Cooking Environment: A clean and organised kitchen is more inviting and conducive to cooking. It can also inspire creativity and enjoyment in meal preparation.

Role Modelling: Practicing good hygiene in the kitchen sets a positive example for other household members, especially children, who can learn important habits and skills for safe food handling and preparation.

Compliance with Regulations: Adhering to hygiene practices in the home kitchen ensures compliance with food safety regulations and standards, which are essential for public health and safety.

In summary, good hygiene in the home kitchen is essential for preventing foodborne illnesses, maintaining food freshness, promoting the health of household members, creating a positive cooking environment, and complying with food safety regulations.

The Unsung Hero of Hospitality: Why Hygiene is Vital in Bars, Pubs, Hotels, and Restaurants

In the bustling hospitality industry, where the clinking of glasses and the aroma of delectable dishes fill the air, there's an unsung hero that often goes unnoticed: hygiene. 

Whether you're sipping a cocktail at a bar, enjoying a meal at a restaurant, or staying in a cosy hotel room, hygiene plays a pivotal, vital role in ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for patrons. 

Here, we delve into why hygiene is of vital importance in bars, pubs, hotels, and restaurants.

Customer Health and Safety:

The foremost reason for prioritising hygiene in hospitality establishments is customer health and safety. Foodborne illnesses and hygiene-related issues cannot only ruin a guest's experience but also pose severe health risks. Maintaining clean and sanitised surfaces, employing proper food handling procedures, and regular sanitation of utensils and equipment are essential in preventing the spread of bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants.

Reputation and Trust:

In the age of online reviews and social media, and good old fashioned word of mouth, a single hygiene mishap can quickly tarnish a venue's reputation. Conversely, establishments known for their impeccable hygiene standards earn trust and loyalty from patrons. 

Word-of-mouth recommendations and positive online reviews often highlight cleanliness as a significant factor in choosing where to dine or stay. Therefore, maintaining high hygiene standards not only safeguards the health of customers but also enhances the reputation of the establishment.

Legal Compliance:

Hygiene regulations and standards are not merely suggestions; they are legal requirements that hospitality businesses must adhere to. Health inspections, food safety regulations, and sanitation guidelines are enforced by local health authorities to protect public health. Non-compliance can lead to fines, closure orders, or even legal action, resulting in significant financial losses and damage to the establishment's reputation.

Employee Well-being:

Hygiene in hospitality extends beyond customer-facing areas; it also encompasses the well-being of employees. Providing a clean and safe working environment is essential for staff morale, productivity, and overall job satisfaction. Proper hygiene practices, including regular handwashing, wearing clean uniforms, and maintaining personal hygiene standards, not only promote a healthy workforce but also contribute to a positive workplace culture.

Sustainability:

Hygiene practices in hospitality also intersect with sustainability efforts. By reducing food waste through proper storage and handling, conserving water through efficient cleaning methods, and minimising the use of single-use plastics and disposable items, establishments can contribute to environmental sustainability. Additionally, adopting eco-friendly cleaning products and practices further demonstrates a commitment to both hygiene and environmental responsibility. However, some so-called eco-friendly cleaning products are not very efficient at cleaning and might even damage dishwashing machines and washing machines by leaving very sticky bentonite clay in the machines and waste pipes.

In conclusion, hygiene is the cornerstone of a successful and reputable hospitality establishment. From ensuring customer health and safety to safeguarding reputation, complying with legal regulations, promoting employee well-being, and contributing to sustainability efforts, the importance of hygiene cannot be overstated. 

By prioritising cleanliness and implementing robust hygiene protocols, bars, pubs, hotels, and restaurants can create a welcoming and safe environment where patrons can indulge in memorable experiences with peace of mind.

My wife has a BSc level qualification in hygiene and cleaning techniques and she can generally tell at a glance if a pub, restaurant or hotel is safe enough to eat or drink in or to stay.  

Vactidy unveils its Blitz V8 Pro cordless vacuum cleaner with powerful 160W motor and cutting-edge 4-stage cyclone filtration

With a self-standing design, 4 LED brush head lights for dust illumination and a 180° rotatable brush head, the Blitz V8 Pro provides the ultimate cleaning for your home.

My wife and I recently realised the importance of owning a high quality vacuum cleaner when our pride-and-joy kitchen mixer decided to explode and spray the kitchen with an amazingly large amount of flour. Never mind the fact that we have an African Grey Parrot (known as one of the dustiest breeds of parrots in the world and also a rapidly growing new kitten!)

So we were, obviously, very interested to know that Vactidy, which is a true global leader in household electronics, has proudly announced the release of its highly anticipated Blitz V8 Pro cordless vacuum cleaner. 

This cutting-edge vacuum combines powerful suction, multi-cyclone CycloneFlow™ technology, low noise levels and accessory storage racks to offer a convenient and effective cleaning experience for everyone. 

The Vactidy Blitz V8 Pro is now available on Amazon UK and Amazon US with an RRP of £199/$199.99 (currently on offer for $109.99 for US customers, with an additional $30 coupon available).

What's different about the Blitz V8 Pro? It boasts a robust 160W motor, delivering an genuinely impressive 25kPa suction power that effortlessly tackles pet hair, dust (that's including flour, obviously!) debris and more besides.

With two distinct and different modes, Max Mode is for intensive cleaning and ECO Mode for extended runtime, vacuumers users can customise their cleaning experience for whatever their current need might be. The vacuum's 35-minute battery life in ECO mode ensures uninterrupted cleaning sessions.

One of the standout features is the upgraded EasyGrab™ Technology floor brush, which is equipped with bristles and a special, dedicated plastic strip for enhanced dust removal on both hardwood floors and carpets. The vacuum's self-standing design allows users to pause cleaning at any moment, adding a new level of convenience to the whole process.

The vacuum’s advanced CycloneFlow™ technology and 4-stage multi-cyclone filtration system gives it the edge above alternative vacuum cleaners on the market, effectively capturing 99.97% of microscopic dust particles as small as 0.1 microns. This state-of-the-art technology promotes the release of fresh air during vacuuming and helps to prevent secondary air pollution, which is a great boon.

The Blitz V8 Pro also prioritises convenience with best-in-class features such as a retractable metal tube, 180° rotatable brush head, 4 LED brush head lights for dust illumination (what a fantastic idea!), low noise levels and a detachable battery. 

Accompanying the vacuum’s user-friendly self-standing design, the Blitz V8 Pro comes equipped with a storage wall mount for efficient organisation.

The Vactidy Blitz V8 Pro is now available on Amazon UK and Amazon US with an RRP of £199/$199.99 (currently on offer for $109.99 for US customers).

Product Specifications:

Motor: 160W brushed motor

Suction: Max suction 25kPa

Dustbin: 500ml dustbin; One-button emptying

Noise: 66dB

Filtration: CycloneFlow™ 4 stages Filtration system: Metal mesh, Multi-cyclone filtration, HEPA, outlet Sponge

Run time: ECO: 35 mins | MAX: 15 mins, Detachable Battery

Accessories: Main Motor (include Dust Cup), Retractable tube, Electric Floor Brush Head, 2-in-1 dusting brush, Long Crevice Nozzle, HEPA (x2), Wall mount, Power adaptor, User manual

FACTFILE: Founded in 2013, Vactidy is a global household electronics company which specialises in cordless vacuums, robot vacuums, and other home cleaning appliances. 

The company's brand philosophy is to work on functionality and quality and bring the products to customers at a reasonable price with good customer service. 

Vactidy focuses on utilising technology to make cleaning easier rather than pursuing breakthroughs at cost. The company is dedicated to balancing usability, quality, and affordability, always placing user experience first.

To learn more visit:https://www.vactidy.com or https://www.vactidy.com/uk

 

Hope Spring Announces a New Clean Water Project Partnership

Hope Spring Water, the Herefordshire-based leading clean water charity, is pleased and thrilled to be able to announce excited to the start of a clean water project in the Atobaje community of Lagos, Nigeria. 

This collaborative effort, due to launch next month in August, aims to provide sustainable access to clean water and tackle the challenges faced by hundreds of women and girls in the local community. At present, people from the community must walk long distances to access safe and clean water.

The Atobaje clean water project is a joint initiative between Hope Spring and the local community association. The association made a number of efforts to create a borehole for their residents. The effort wasn't a success, due to several issues including a lack of technical knowledge and inadequate funding. The partnership with Hope Spring meant the technical expertise and the funds required for a successful project are now available.

By bringing clean water closer to the community, this project will not only alleviate the burden on women and girls but also enhance their productivity and reduce late arrivals at school. Even more important it will contribute to the reduction of waterborne illnesses prevalent in some parts of the community.

Hope Spring raises funds for projects like the Atobaje clean water project, from its innovative eCard charity eCards platform. This platform provides individuals with the chance to send greetings and love to their loved ones through electronic cards, while simultaneously supporting essential clean water projects. By using the Hope Spring Water eCard platform, donors can make a meaningful impact on communities that are in desperate need of assistance.

In line with its commitment to increasing the project's impact, Hope Spring Water recently launched the Gift of Water Charity eCard, along with a complimentary free eCard. These offerings allow donors to choose from an array of gift cards and personalize them with heartfelt messages.

Once selected, the experienced Hope Spring Water team handles the rest, ensuring these contributions facilitate access to clean, safe water for communities lacking this vital resource. Celebrating loved ones' anniversaries or milestones can now be a way to extend the gift of clean and safe water to those who need it most.

As part of its mission to make a significant difference, Hope Spring Water aims to extend its reach to more communities, individuals, and schools in dire need of safe and clean water access. By expanding their efforts, the organisation strives to create sustainable solutions and empower communities through reliable access to this basic human necessity.

For more information about Atobaje clean water and other Hope Spring projects, please visit their website or any of their social media pages.

http://www.hopespring.org.uk/

(Image courtesy of Hope Spring)

Make washing and preparing your vegetables part of your everyday routine with OXO

As we in the UK become more vigilant about washing and preparing vegetables in light of the recent tragic E.Coli outbreak, many of us are turning towards our favourite kitchen gadgets to make light work of everyday cooking tasks.

OXO’s universally-designed salad spinner will wash and dry leaves in next to no time. Whether a full head of romaine lettuce, pre-prepared bag or a juicy tomato, we cannot be too careful.

Simply wash your leaves in the removable plastic basket, which doubles as a nifty colander, and add to the salad spinner to dry. OXO’s innovative pop-up handle allows you to spin with just one hand, while the non-slip base ensures that the spinner stays put on your work surface. A push button break mechanism brings the spinning to a quick halt. (So you can chat to friends and family as you wash the salad! Fantastic!)

For those who enjoy snacking on cucumbers or create a refreshing salad but feel somewhat wary given the recent health scares, OXO’s Y peeler is ideal for removing a wafer thin layer of skin. With its trademark, soft-grip handle, OXO’s Y peeler quickly and efficiently peels all manner of vegetables, removing just enough skin to leave behind all the vital healthy vitamins and nutrients. Also available in the range is a serrated peeler for tackling soft fruits like peaches and this is also ideal for tomatoes, too.

OXO’s UK Marketing Manager, Tracy Carroll, points out: “We have all become much aware of our everyday food preparation practices given the recent health scare. With many of us busy juggling work and family lives, everyday tasks such as washing or peeling vegetables often fall by the way side, but now we are all becoming stricter in our regimes.

“Our salad spinner can wash and dry lettuce, tomatoes, even fruit and has been universally-designed so that it is easy to use for the largest spectrum of people, even those who have limited manual dexterities.“

Prices:
Salad spinner: £25.53
Little salad & herb spinner: £18.38
Y peeler: £5.62
Serrated peeler: £5.62

FACTFILE:
Designed to make everyday living that little bit easier, the OXO Good Grips range offers over 200 stylish, yet practical tools for the home including kitchenware, organisational tools, bathroom and cleaning products. The company has also now extended into the nursery with the launch of OXO Tot, an exciting new design-led collection of baby equipment including essential feeding and weaning tools in three bright colours, handy cleaning tools and a super stylish, ultra functional highchair.

Available from Lakeland, Selfridges and Amazon. For stockist details visit www.oxo-uk.com or call 0114 290 1455.