A FSMA Produce Rule solution Research has found that farmhand’s hands are a major factor in contaminating ready-to-eat produce. Conventional thinking about feces-contaminated water and manure fertilizer as the major sources was challenged in a study by Emory University. Their research included a successful field-testing of SaniTwice®, referred to as the “two-step ABHS intervention” (Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer.) Responding […]
Boil-Water Advisory
Should it close restaurants and all foodservice? Mercer Island Washington announced a boil-water advisory and closed foodservice establishments. How do you close a nursing home? Are you going to close schools and hospitals? Why close restaurants and then advise households that: Dishwashers can be used if run with the sanitizing/heat cycle and commercial dishwashing detergent. […]
2014 CFP Hand Hygiene Success: Groundwork for 2016
A recommendation of “No Action” at the CFP (Conference for Food Protection) can be viewed as a strike out and to continue the baseball metaphor, Handwashing For Life went 0 for 7 on the issues submitted in 2014. We thought at least one would be accepted but all were presented as a foundation for 2016. […]
The 2014 Conference For Food Protection
Summary of proposed hand hygiene solutions The biennial meeting of The Conference For Food Protection (CFP) opens this week in Orlando. So many disparate views are represented within the ranks of the CFP but all share a single goal – to protect home and away-from-home public health. Breakdowns in hand hygiene systems remain perhaps the […]
Glove Changing at Catered Events
This portable no-water “hand sink” has added an important gloving feature. This unit can now be located exactly where it is most needed and most likely used. There is no need to delay changing a contaminated or torn pair of gloves. There is no need to leave the work station unguarded while taking a hike […]
Resolving The Inherent Conflict Between Innovation and The Model Food Code
Public health needs should set the pace for codification.Once a public health driven need is identified, local resources seek solutions, often with supplier partners. Concept prototypes and programs are developed. Costly research is often involved and manufacturers seek patent protection to make this investment worthwhile. This factor looms large as some links in the chain […]
Holiday Catered Norovirus
Outbreak Sickens 75 at Minnesota Banquet Might the norovirus have entered the catered event via an ill worker, perhaps symptom-free? Or a guest? Or from contact with a high-touch surface contaminated the week before? One surefire added intervention to protect public health is the expanded use of a norovirus effective alcohol hand sanitizer. The Venetian […]
Handwashing For Life Olympics
Convert Training to Fun and Improved Hand Cleanliness The Food Safety Consortium is your next opportunity to enter the official Handwashing For Life Olympics. It will be staged at the Schaumburg Illinois convention center on December 4th and 5th. Contestants will learn a new handwash protocol that promotes effective results – without singing “happy birthday” […]
Patents, Proprietary Resources & The Model Food Code
How should innovation be treated in a regulated environment? SaniTwice® as an alternative protocol for soap/water handwashing was rejected by at least one of the Conference for Food Protection (CFP) Council III delegates because SaniTwice works best with patented Purell VF-481. This is based on its unique effectiveness on norovirus, the leading pathogen in foodborne […]
FSMA Comment Time on Handwashing
Any operator with the time and patience to page through regulations will find a few references to handwashing at the farm level within the Food Safety Modernization Act. The window to comment on the proposed rules has been extended from its original May 16th deadline to mid September, 2013: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FDA-2011-N-0921-0001
