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Glorious Goodies to Send

Glorious Goodies to Send and Receive

How can you be sure food survives holiday shopping? It’s all in the planning. Follow these handy tips to make sure what you send and receive is handled properly.

Mailing a Perishable Food Gift…..
Make sure the food is frozen solid or refrigerator cold.
Use an insulated cooler or a heavy corrugated box packed with a frozen gel pack, or purchase dry ice for keeping food cold.
Alert the recipient and agree on a delivery date.
Properly label the package “Perishable—Keep Refrigerated” on the outside, and provide a complete mailing address and phone number to ensure proper delivery.
Ship your package by overnight delivery. Note: Don’t send food to someone’s workplace. The food could accidentally be left at the office or in the trunk of a car. It’s safer to send food directly to the home, but make sure that someone will be home to receive the “surprise.”
Receiving a Perishable Food Gift…..
Open the package upon arrival.
Make sure the food is still refrigerator cold.
Immediately refrigerate or freeze the food.

NOTE: Perishable food must arrive cold to be safe. If it is not cold, do not eat it, and notify the shipper. Remember, it’s the shipper’s responsibility to have someone at home to receive the package.

Tips for Mail-order Food Gifts
When ordering food gifts through the mail, transit time and a cold source are key! Be sure to specify overnight delivery, and request that the company supply a frozen gel pack or dry ice in the packaging. This will help guarantee that the food will arrive still firm and refrigerator cold.

Remember to practice food safety this season! Be Food Safe.

Food Safety: A Changing Landscape in a Global World

Global food safety is important for the health of all Americans, Today, the United States imports about 15% of its food supply from more than 200 countries or territories. Americans want convenience, choice, and diversity in the foods we eat. Imported food helps meet these demands. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working with partners around the globe to help keep the world’s food supply safer for everyone.
Our Food Travels a Lot Farther Than It Used To
As food production becomes more globalized, the path food travels from farm to table grows more complex. Much of the food we eat in the United States is transported over long distances and distributed across wide areas. For example, about one-third of the fresh vegetables Americans eat, and half of the fresh fruits are grown in other countries. Many fruits and vegetables that were once available only during certain seasons are offered year-round because of the imports. The seafood on our table is even more global. Each year 85% to 95% of seafood eaten in the United States is imported.
A Single Point of Contamination Can Make People Sick in Many Places
The globalization of food creates new challenges for food safety. Germs can contaminate food at any point at any point along the production chain -- while growing on the farm, during harvesting, during transport and distribution, or at any grocery store. If food becomes contaminated anywhere in the production process, people may get sick when they eat it.
Because of the worldwide distribution of many foods, a single point of contamination can make people sick in different parts of the country or even the world. In the summer of 2017, CDC’s PulseNet System detected a Salmonella outbreak that had made dozens of people sick across several states. CDC and its federal and state partners launched an investigation to find out what contaminated food was making people sick. The investigation eventually linked 220 illnesses in 23 states to Maradol papayas from a single farm in Mexico. This led to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration increase in testing of papaya shipments from Mexico. This Salmonella outbreak was one of four in the United States linked o imported Maradol papayas in 2017.
Food Safety Must Be a Global Priority
Safe food is a shared global responsibility. The safety of the U.S. food supply depends on the effectiveness of food safety systems in other countries to ensure that imported products are safe. The FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are working to strengthen the international food safety system by making imported foods meet the same safety standards as foods produced in the United States. CDC also works with international health authorities to share information on foodborne outbreaks in the United States that may affect other countries. CDC and global partners are working together to protect global food networks.

COVID-19 Best Practices

Best Practices for Retail Food Stores, Restaurants, and Food Pick-Up/Delivery Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic

FDA is sharing information about best practices to operate retail food stores, restaurants, and associated pick-up and delivery services during the COVID-19 pandemic to safeguard workers and consumers.

This addresses key considerations for how foods offered at retail can be safely handled and delivered to the public, as well as key best practices for employee health, cleaning and sanitizing, and personal protective equipment (PPE). This is not a comprehensive list.

Managing Employee Health

  • Instruct employees with symptoms associated with COVID-19 to report them to their supervisors. Instruct sick employees to stay home and follow the CDC’s guidelines or consult with the local health department for additional guidance.
  • If an employee is sick at work, send them home immediately. Clean and disinfect surfaces in their workspace. Others at the facility with close contact (for example, within 6 feet) of the employee during this time should be considered exposed.
  • Instruct employees who are well, but know they have been exposed to COVID-19, to notify their supervisor and follow CDC recommended precautions.
  • Inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace, if an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, while maintaining confidentiality.

 

Implement workplace controls to reduce transmission among employees:

Employers – Prescreen (for example, take temperature and assess symptoms prior to starting work).

Employers – Disinfect and clean work spaces and equipment, and consider more frequent cleaning of high touch surfaces.

Employees – Regularly self – monitor (for example take temperature and assess symptoms of coronavirus).

Employees – Wear a mask or face covering.

Employees – Practice social distancing and stay at least 6 feet from other people whenever possible.

 

Personal Hygiene for Employees

  • Emphasize effective hand hygiene including washing hands for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • Always wash hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not readily available, then use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol and avoid working with unwrapped or exposed foods.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Use gloves to avoid direct bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.
  • Before preparing or eating food, always wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds for general food safety.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash hands after.

 

Managing Operations in a Foodservice Establishment or Retail Food Store

Continue to follow established food safety protocols and best practices for retail food establishments and important COVID-19 recommendations, including the following:

  • Follow the 4 key steps to food safety: Always – Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill.
  • Wash, rinse, and sanitize food contact surfaces, dishware, utensils, food preparation surfaces, and beverage equipment after use.
  • Frequently disinfect surfaces repeatedly touched by employees or customers such as doorknobs, equipment handles, check-out counters, and grocery cart handles, etc.
  • Frequently clean and disinfect floors, counters, and other facility access areas using EPA-registered disinfectants.
  • Prepare and use sanitizers according to label instructions.

 

When changing your normal food preparation procedures, service, delivery functions, or making staffing changes, apply procedures that ensure:

  • Cooked foods reach the proper internal temperatures prior to service or cooling.
  • Hot foods are cooled rapidly and correctly for later use—check temperatures of food being cooled in refrigerators or by rapid cooling techniques such as ice baths and cooling wands.
  • The time foods being stored, displayed, or delivered are held in the temperature danger zone (between 41℉ and 135℉) is minimized.

 

Help customers maintain good infection control and social distancing by:

  • Discontinuing operations, such as salad bars, buffets, and beverage service stations that require customers to use common utensils or dispensers.
  • Finding ways to encourage spacing between customers while in line for service or check out in accordance with the applicable state or local requirements.
  • Discouraging customers from bringing pets—except service animals—into stores or waiting areas.
  • Continue to use sanitizers and disinfectants for their designed purposes.
  • Verify that your ware - washing machines are operating at the required wash and rinse temperatures and with the appropriate sanitizers and detergents.
  • Remember that hot water can be used in place of chemicals to sanitize equipment and utensils in manual ware – washing machines.
  • If you donate food to food recovery or charitable organizations, check for state and local guidelines. Communicate also with the charitable organization for their guidelines for donating food.

 

Managing Food Pick-up and Delivery

  • Observe established food safety practices for time/temperature control, preventing cross-contamination, cleaning hands, no sick workers, and storage of food, etc. 
  • Have employees wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezing, or after touching high touch surfaces, for example doorknobs, and doorbells.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting of high – touch surfaces such as countertops and touchpads and within the vehicle, by wiping down surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Make sure to read the label and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on use.
  • Establish designated pick – up zones for customers to help maintain social distancing,
  • Practice social distancing when delivering food, for example, offering “no-touch” deliveries and sending text alerts or calling when deliveries have arrived.
  • Conduct an evaluation of your facility to identify and apply operational changes in order to maintain social distances if offering take – out/ carry – out option by maintaining a 6 – foot distance from others, when possible.
  • Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold by storing in appropriate transport vessels.
  • Keep cold foods cold by keeping enough coolant materials. Hot foods hot by ensuring insulated cases are properly functioning.
  • Keep foods separated to avoid cross contamination, for example, keeping raw foods separated from cooked and ready - to- eat foods.
  • Ensure that any wrapping and packaging used for food transport is done so that contamination of the food is prevented.
  • Routinely clean and sanitize coolers and insulated bags used to deliver foods.

 

Please comply with state and local guidelines also regarding food safety and COVID-19.

For more information and updates, visit the sites below which provides additional information as needed.

 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/foodsafetyhttps://www.fda.gov/coronavirus

When To Wash Hands

Food handlers must wash their hands before preparing food or working with clean equipment and utensils. They must wash their hands before putting on single-use gloves.

Food handlers must wash their hands after the following activities:
Using the restroom.
Touching the body or clothing.
Coughing, sneezing, blowing nose, or using a handkerchief, or tissue.
Eating, drinking, smoking, or chewing gum or tobacco.
Handling soiled items.
Handling raw meat, seafood, or poultry.
Taking out garbage.
Handling service animals.
Handling chemicals that might affect food safety.
Changing tasks (before beginning new task).
Leaving or returning to the kitchen/prep area.
Handling money.
Using electronic devices.
Touching anything else that may contaminate hands, such as dirty equipment, work surfaces, or cloths.

Proper Hand Washing Procedures

To wash hands or prosthetic devices correctly, follow these steps. The whole process should take at least 20 seconds.

1. Wet hands and arms. Use running warm water.
2. Apply soap. Make sure there is enough soap to build up a good lather.
3. Scrub hands and arms vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds. Clean the finger tips, under
fingernails, and between fingers.
4. Rinse hands and arms thoroughly. Use running warm water.
5. Dry hands and arms. Use a single use paper towel or a hand dryer.

If you are not careful, you can contaminate your hands after washing them. Consider using a paper towel to turn off the faucet and to open the door when leaving the restroom.

Hand Antiseptics
Hand antiseptics, also called hand sanitizers, are liquids or gels that are used to lower the number of pathogens on skin. If used, they must comply with the Code of Federal Regulations and FDA standards. Hand sanitizers should only be used after handwashing. Wait for them to dry before you touch food or equipment.

10 Tips: Eating Foods Away from Home

10 Tips: Eating Foods Away from Home

Restaurants, convenience and grocery stores, or fast-food places offer a variety of options when eating out. But larger portions can make it easy to eat or drink too many calories. Larger helpings can also increase your intake of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. Think about ways to make healthier choices when eating food away from home.

Consider your drink---Choose water, fat-free or low-fat milk, unsweetened tea, and other drinks without added sugars to complement your meal.
Savor a salad ---Start your meal with a salad packed with vegetables to help you feel satisfied sooner. Ask for dressing on the side and use a small amount of it.
Share a main dish---Divide a main entrée between family and friends. Ask for small plates for everyone at the table.
Select from the sides ---Order a side dish or an appetizer-sized portion instead of a regular entrée. They’re usually served on smaller plates and in smaller amounts.
Pack your snack---Pack fruit, sliced vegetables, low- fat string cheese, or unsalted nuts to eat during road trips or long commutes. No need to stop for other food when these snacks are ready-to-eat.
Fill your plate with fruits and vegetables---Stir-fries, kabobs, or vegetarian menu items usually have more vegetables. Select fruits as a side dish or dessert.
Compare the calories, fat, and sodium ---Many menus now include nutrition information. Look for items that are lower in calories, saturated fat, and sodium. Check with your server if you don’t see them or the menu. You can also check the FDA website.
Pass on the buffet ---Have an item from the menu and avoid the “all you can eat” buffet. Steamed, grilled, or broiled dishes have fewer calories than foods that are fried in oil or cooked in butter.
Get your whole grains---Request 100% whole-wheat breads, rolls, and pasta when choosing sandwiches, burgers, or main dishes.
Quit the “clean your plate” club---Decide to save some for another meal. Take leftovers home in a container and chill in the refrigerator right away.

Corona Virus

Corona Virus  What Can You Do?

What is COVID-19 Coronavirus?
Coronavirus is a respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China, and believed to have initially spread from animals to humans, but now is spreading from person-to-person contact. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people. Typically, respiratory viruses are most contagious when an individual is most symptomatic, but there have been reports of the virus spreading when the affected individual does not show any symptoms.


HOW IT SPREADS / SYMPTOMS
COVID – 19 Coronavirus Spreads:

• The virus primarily spreads via respiratory droplets Symptoms may appear in as few
produces when an infected person sneezes or coughs. as 2 days or as long as 14 days after
exposure:
• It spreads between people when are in close contact
(within about 6 feet) Fever, cough, shortness of breath. For people who are diagnosed as ill with COVID-19 please follow CDC guidance on how to reduce the risk of spreading your illness to others:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when- sick.html

PREVENTION

Currently there is no vaccine for COVID-19. The best measure is to avoid in contact with the virus:
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol based hand sanitizer that contains 60-95% alcohol when water and soap are not available. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Stay home if you’re sick.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that have been touched (counters, doorknobs, toilets, phones, etc)
• Cover nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a tissue and then immediately dispose of the tissue and wash hands for at least 20 seconds.
• It’s currently flu and respiratory disease season and CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine, taking everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs, and taking flu antivirals if prescribed.
• The CDC does not recommend the routine use of respirators (facemasks). www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/respirator-use-faq.html

MONITORING

Keeping Employees Safe: What to do if an employee shows flu-like symptoms.
• It is highly recommended that any employees who are showing flu-like symptoms should be excluded from the operation until they are symptom free.

Keeping Customers Safe : What to do if a customer shows flu like symptoms in the restaurant
According to the CDC, the spread of COVID-19 occurs when people are in close contact (less than 6 feet) with an
infected person. Some basic steps that could be taken care are:

• Provide the customer with additional napkins or tissues to use when they cough or sneeze.
• Make sure alcohol-based hand sanitizer is available for customers to use.
• Be sure to clean and sanitize any objects or surfaces that may have been touched.

Bodily Fluid Event: What to do if there is a bodily fluid event

If a customer or employee vomits or has diarrhea it is recommended (AT THIS TIME) that the operation follows protocols that are in place for Norovirus be used.

• Ensure the employee who is cleaning up the area is using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Segregate the area that has been contaminated.
• Dispose of any food that has been exposed.
• Ensure any utensils that might have been exposed are cleaned and sanitized.
• Frequently clean and sanitize the area including the floor, walls and objects contaminated by the incident.
• Properly dispose any of the equipment that was used to clean up the area.

 

For additional recommendations and resources, please visit: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

Healthy Guests: Happy Holidays

 

Healthy Guests: Happy Holidays

 

Safety Tips for Brilliant Buffets and Perfect Party Platters

A popular way to celebrate holidays or any party occasion is to invite friends and family to a buffet. However, this type of food service, where foods may be out for long periods leaves the door open for uninvited guests—bacteria that cause foodborne illness.  Here are some tips for a safe and brilliant buffet:

Keep Cold Foods Cold!

Foods on a buffet can be kept cold by placing food dishes in larger bowls of ice. For party trays purchasedat the supermarket, remove lid and fill lid with ice. Put the tray on top.

Rather than serve food from one larger platter, arrange food on several small platters.

Refrigerate platters of food until it is time to serve, and rotate food platters within two hours.

Follow the two hour rule!

Chill leftovers within two hours.  Keep the refrigerator at 40 degrees or below and use a refrigerator thermometer to check the temperature.

Keep Hot Foods Hot!

 

Hotfoods on a buffet can be kept hot with chafing dishes, crock pots, and warming trays and

should be at 140 degrees or warmer.

Eat leftovers within 3-4 days.

 

Reheat solid leftovers to 165 degrees, as measured by a food thermometer. Reheat liquid leftovers to a rolling boil.