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.  

AI "no food safety magic bullet" warns expert

The food industry has been warned that AI technology is no magic bullet to ensure food safety and that developing the right culture should always be the first step.

While AI presents opportunities to improve overall efficiency within global food supply chains, LRQA believes that the industry needs to foster a culture in which food safety is emphasised at every part of the supply chain before new technologies can fully be leveraged.

Jan Kranghand, who is the Global Head of Food Centre of Excellence at LRQA, says: “Technological advances have the potential to revolutionise the way we approach food safety. AI systems could enable large amounts of data to be analysed to identify patterns and generate insights, while blockchain, which is an unchangeable digital record of transactions, promotes transparency by monitoring the movement of food products through the supply chain.

“But it's vital we put the foundations in place before we put all our faith in technology. Food is better than ever, but this must not be taken for granted. The food industry must prioritise transparency, ensure it is collecting the right data, and focus on creating a food safety culture.”

Jan says that many food businesses operate with a traditional, science-based approach that addresses food safety on a compliance basis: “Before organisations implement technologies such as AI, blockchain and the IoT (Internet of Things), they must first change the way they think.

“Moving forward, this means evaluating processes and asking if current techniques are fit for purpose. Companies must understand what ‘best-in-class’ food safety is, with business leaders driving change from the top. Plus, by taking a step back to assess systems, processes, and procedures, gaps can be identified to achieve a harmonised risk-based approach.”

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) defines culture as, ‘shared values, beliefs and norms that affect mindset and behaviour toward food safety in, across and throughout an organisation’. The GFSI’s position paper, A Culture of Food Safety, clearly stipulates the importance of all employees having a basic overview of hazards so they recognise the responsibility that comes when working in an industry that delivers consumable goods.

Jan went on to say: “For an effective food safety culture, implementation requires employee engagement. It’s about clearly explaining not just what staff need to do, but why these protocols matter and what the consequences of falling short are. Doing this helps gives teams ownership of food safety and ensures they feel more accountable for their actions.”

For organisations looking to implement or augment a strong culture, the Food Safety System Certification (FSSC 22000), among other schemes, offers an excellent framework for action. Supply chain integrity programmes from independent assurance specialists, such as LRQA, can also guide organisations on how to create a strong food safety culture that balances compliance with a holistic approach.  

Jan also points out that technology will have a role to play, but that a cultural framework is absolutely vital: “From a traceability perspective, a combination of technologies could provide end-to-end traceability, enabling consumers to verify the origin and quality of their food. If applied appropriately, they could also transform the risk analysis framework from reactive to proactive. And, when this comes together, auditors will be able to conduct a risk-based approach assessment rather than 'ticking the boxes' for scheme requirements. This added value will benefit us all.”

For more information on how to create a food safety culture, please visit www.lrqa.com. Or to download LRQA’s Food Safety Culture Whitepaper, follow this link https://www.lrqa.com/en-gb/resources/food-safety-culture-whitepaper

(Image courtesy of  Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)