When it comes to food, cleanliness is crucial. Allowing germs and bacteria to contaminate the food you serve could result in serious illnesses. These tips can help you make your restaurant more sanitary.
Sneeze Guards
Plastic sneeze guards are a must if your restaurant has a buffet. As the name implies, they keep germs from sneezes from falling into the food on the buffet, but that’s not all they do. Even as people simply talk and breathe, particles that can contain harmful pathogens are exiting their noses and mouths. Plastic sneeze guards keep these potentially harmful pathogens from landing in the food. They also keep hairs, dead skin cells, dust and other debris from falling into the buffet.
Air Curtains
Another way to improve cleanliness is to install air curtains on kitchen doors. Air curtains are installed to the top of a doorframe and push a continuous stream of air towards the ground. This creates an invisible curtain of air that prevents airborne particles and insects from passing through the doorway as well as insulating the space. This helps keep germs and insects out of the food preparation areas. It also helps keep the kitchen at a comfortable and safe temperature for cooking.
Sanitizing
Restaurants should be sanitized often to kill germs. Surfaces in the kitchen and kitchen utensils should be frequently washed with hot water and cleaned with appropriate cleaning products, especially when working with raw meats. Likewise, tables and booths should always be sanitized between guests to prevent the spreading of germs from one party to the next. The same applies to commonly touched items, such as credit card machines and door handles.
Another important part of sanitizing a restaurant is encouraging guests and staff to sanitize their hands. You can do this by placing hand sanitizer in convenient areas, such as the main entrance. Restaurants should also hang signs with hand washing instructions near bathroom sinks. For this to be effective, you must make sure there is always soap available in all restrooms. Lastly, place a trashcan near the bathroom door, so that guests and staff can use a paper towel to open the door and then throw it away rather than touching the door handles with their bare hands.
Installing sneeze guards and air curtains and frequently sanitizing the restaurant will increase cleanliness and safety. Restaurant owners and staff should do everything in their power to prevent foodborne illnesses and the spread of germs from one person to another.
