Clean Hand Research: Development Status

Research Benefits:

Handwashing For Life® is taking a deep dive into hand hygiene research. Its expected deliverable is an enabling of operators to make decisions based on evidence rather than the commonly compromised and inconsistent guidelines from well-meaning propagators of myths, the status quo, and the science of past centuries.

A Clean Hand in the foodservice and food processing industries is one that is unlikely to transfer pathogens from the hand to food, surfaces or directly to other people.*

Looking to add the science to this definition, data built on pathogen transfer can be converted by operators into evidence-based, operationally tailored, hand hygiene regimens. Ten potential operator benefits are to be addressed. This research strives to:

1. Equip operators with the science to better answer shifting regulatory views re-use of towelettes, alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHS), nailbrushes, handwashing time, water temperature, flow rate, and COVID advice,
2. Determine which handwash/hand hygiene intervention is most suited for each situation, and workstation,
3.  Achieve better handwashing process control, lowering the risk of foodborne outbreaks,
4.  Enhance the atmosphere and value of local inspections with handwashing facts, in the spirit of FDA’s “New Era of Smarter Food Safety” initiative,
5. Validate expenditures in time, gloving, soap, sanitizer & paper towels,
6.  Justify investments in staff training (and help train the local workforce pool),
7.  Maximize efficiencies without endangering public health,
8.  Minimize liability insurance costs while protecting brand values,
9.  Operationalize Food Safety Culture initiatives, starting with clear definitions of a Handwash and a Clean Hand, 
10. Encourage would-be technology developers by transforming vague guidance into consistent, measurable benchmarks. 

This year, like all years, operators have little to go on when setting operational standards for handwashing. They know the risks of the unwashed hand. They know their current compliance is less, or even far less, than they see as safe. Outbreaks continue, particularly those arising from Norovirus contaminations, where handwashing is the principal intervention. (Norovirus remains a major killer in nursing home foodservice.) 

Laboratory:

Nelson Labs (https://www.nelsonlabs.com)
Research Number: 2301656-101
Test Method: ASTM – E2784

Funding:

The budget has been divided into 12 stakeholder shares of $4,500, payable to Handwashing For Life, attention:

Jim Mann
Handwashing For Life
Founder and Lead Scientist

Timing:

Invoicing starts August 1, 2023, with extended terms. Due on the start of wet lab work.

Publication:

Prestigious journals will be offered publication rights, starting with the Journal of Food Protection which is a scientific choice that covers original research in food science. 

Stakeholders will be featured where applicable. The Handwashing For Life® website will recognize supporters of this important public safety initiative.

*This verbal definition was agreed by a panel of 17 industry professionals as an antecedent to this study.