National Food Safety Month, week 3: Preventing cross-contamination
Proper handwashing is one way to help keep harmful bacteria, viruses, and allergens from spreading at your operation.
Cross-contamination can occur anywhere in an operation. That’s why it’s essential for all team members to understand their roles in preventing it. This week, the 5-week initiative, entitled Recipe for Food Safety Success, focuses on daily practices to help keep harmful bacteria, viruses, and allergens from spreading between food, surfaces, equipment, and employees.
Contamination-related factors are the leading cause of foodborne illness nationwide. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cases can occur before food even reaches your restaurant, while others might happen as a result of improper storage, preparation, or cooking. But, regardless of where they come from, pathogens can easily spread to and from different parts of your restaurant.
The National Restaurant Association’s week three of National Food Safety Month focuses on daily practices to help keep cross-contamination from happening at your restaurant—between food, surfaces, equipment, and employees. The 5-week initiative, entitled “A Recipe for Food Safety Success,” is designed to help operators strengthen their everyday food safety best practices.
During week 3, the Association’s ServSafe food-safety subject matter experts offer tips and solutions on the daily practices that help keep harmful bacteria, viruses, and allergens from spreading between food, surfaces, equipment, and employees. Operators will learn how to:
- Maintain specific cooking and storage temperatures when handling food
- Follow protocols to help reduce chances of contaminating food before it reaches the customer
- Practice proper cleaning, hygiene, and food safety training to help reduce contamination risks
The Association originally launched National Food Safety Month in 1994 to raise awareness of food safety education and training across the restaurant industry. Since then, it’s showcased a new theme and related ServSafe resources every September. Download the week 3 food-safety bundle for practical tools and resources that reinforce proper food handling habits that help protect guests with every meal served.
Explore the latest food-safety bundle on our National Food Safety Month page
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