Personal Hygiene/Handwashing

Ep. 213. Richard Stier: Driving Continuous Improvement in Food Safety and Sanitation

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 02:30:00 -0400

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, Richard Stier, M.S., a consulting food scientist and longtime Food Safety Magazine contributor, recalls lessons from decades in food processing facilities, discussing crisis preparedness, internal audits, facility sanitation and employee hygiene, HACCP, and why strong food safety programs must be continuously improved to remain effective.

Study: Sanitizer Formulation Impacts Efficacy, Guidance for Use in Food Settings Needed

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 11:07:04 -0400

A study from the Arkansas Center for Food Safety demonstrates the importance of application time and product formulation in the effectiveness of hand sanitizers, which is critical for food handlers.

eBook | Achieving Sanitation Success with Innovative Techniques, Simplified SSOPs, and Applied Technology

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 01:00:00 -0400

Our exclusive eBook, Achieving Sanitation Success with Innovative Techniques, Simplified SSOPs, and Applied Technology, will equip you with expert guidance on chemical applications and sanitation best practices to help your company achieve sanitation success and ensure food safety.

New Meritech Sole Clean Low-Moisture Automated Footwear Sanitizing Pan for Dry Environments

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 14:30:43 -0400

Meritech’s new Sole Clean Low-Moisture Automated Footwear Sanitizing Pan sanitizes any style of footwear in just 12 seconds, with a fast-drying footwear sanitizer specifically catering to dry or semi-dry production facilities.

FDA Updates Human Foods Priorities; Releases FSMA 204, Foodservice Employee Health Resources

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 11:06:00 -0400

In the past week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published an updated list of its Human Foods Program priority guidance topics, resources to help industry comply with the Food Traceability Final Rule (FSMA 204), and a new Employee Health Policy Tool for food establishments.

Practices that Lead to Microbial Contamination of Milk in Zimbabwe’s Informal Dairy Sector

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 10:00:00 -0400

A recent study provided insight into the on-farm hygiene characteristics that affect the contamination of milk produced at informal dairy farms in Zimbabwe. The risk variables identified in the study can serve as a foundation for microbial contamination prevention strategies for the sector.

Ep. 169. Live from the 2024 Food Safety Summit—Part 1

Tue, 14 May 2024 10:30:00 -0400

In the first of this two-part episode of Food Safety Matters, we interviewed professionals from the industry, regulatory, and nonprofit sectors, live from the show floor of the Food Safety Summit, which took place on May 6–9 in Rosemont, Illinois. We discussed food safety culture, food safety regulation for cannabis-infused edibles, traceability, legacy facilities and equipment, and more.

Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

rickstier4@aol.com (Richard F. Stier, M.S.) — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to know and adhere to a set of rules that address food safety, basic sanitation, and safety. Plant rules for staff and visitors comprise elements of good hygiene culture and exist to minimize the potential for cross-contamination of foods, equipment, or utensils. Some of these elements have other roles, such as personal safety.

Kimtech Polaris Nitrile Exam Gloves Provide Superior Protection, Durability, Comfort

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 12:10:15 -0500

Kimberly-Clark Professional™ has launched its new Kimtech™ Polaris™ Nitrile Exam Gloves for use in laboratory settings; are also suitable for manufacturing and safe for food contact; and provide high levels of protection, durability, and comfort.

Extensive Food Safety Resources for Foodservice Managers Offered by Idaho Health Department

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 10:00:00 -0500

Idaho Central District Health (CDH) recently published a webpage offering a plethora of resources for foodservice managers to help them practice active managerial control (AMC), which involves actively leading employees in food handling practices to reduce the occurrence of foodborne illness risk factors.

Tebots Designs UV Disinfection Solution to Bolster Hygiene in Foodservice Environments

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 14:14:00 -0500

Tebots Inc. has designed a UV disinfection station called POZ that addresses the limitations of existing devices that have prevented the technology’s adoption by the foodservice industry.

CDC Study Highlights Restaurant Characteristics Most Associated With Food Cross-Contamination

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 13:41:59 -0400

A recent study led by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigated factors that could contribute to cross-contamination of food in restaurants, and observed more frequent contamination actions in establishments lacking food safety certification, food safety training, and handwashing policies.

USDA Study of Consumer Kitchen Behaviors Highlights Importance of National Food Safety Education Month

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 13:01:05 -0400

The recently released findings of a five-year study on consumer meal preparation practices by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA’s FSIS) has highlighted the importance of National Food Safety Education Month.

Reducing Food Safety Risks in Home Kitchens with Science, Education, and Communication

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 15:35:43 -0400

Many people are unaware of the threat that foodborne illnesses pose in their own homes, with gaps seen between best practice and actual behavior. However, we can reduce risks in our home kitchens by providing people with solid science, education, and communication about home food safety.

Scientists Develop Formulation That Boosts Antimicrobial Properties of Natural Hand Barrier

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 12:21:06 -0400

Researchers from Kao Corporation have developed a long-lasting skin coating agent that kills pathogens on the hands, paving the way for new hand hygiene solutions that could potentially help food handlers prevent cross-contamination.

Damaged Disposable Gloves Carry Significantly More Risk of Microbial Food Contamination Than Intact Gloves

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 15:09:37 -0400

A recent study of the microbiological profiles of disposable gloves intended for ready-to-eat (RTE) food handling found the presence of bacteria to be much higher on gloves with visible damage than intact gloves, underlining the importance of regular glove changes, especially when damaged.

FSA-Recognized Hygiene Guide for UK Caterers

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 12:32:22 -0500

UKHospitality, in partnership with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS), has launched an updated version of its industry-recognized hygiene standards guide for caterers.

How to Effectively Train Individuals in Food Safety and Hygiene

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 15:00:00 -0400

Food safety and hygiene training is a crucial component in the success of a food establishment. Food handlers are the first line of defense against food safety threats within a facility; consequently, they should be equipped with the right tools and knowledge required to combat food safety and hygiene issues within their control.

FDA Highlights Key Food Code Recommendations for Mitigating Norovirus in Restaurants

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 14:25:30 -0400

The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has completed a research study that evaluated Food Code recommendations for reducing the risk of norovirus in foodservice establishments.

Aquila Cut Protection Gloves

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 12:30:13 -0400

Taste International, a specialty niche glove manufacturer under the Aquila brand, now makes fully recyclable packaging and extended life gloves.

Breaking the Chain of Infectious Disease Transmission in a Retail Foodservice Business

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Only when the most effective controls are consistently deployed will significant reduction in infectious diseases in retail foodservice businesses occur.

Covid-19 and Food Safety: Walk the Talk on Protecting Global Public Health

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 02:00:00 -0400

The coronavirus pandemic has brought sanitation and good hygiene practices front and center. Can we keep the momentum going?

Employee Hygiene and Handwashing in Retail Foodservice Establishments

Wed, 10 Feb 2016 00:31:00 -0500

The health and well-being of food handlers and proper hygiene practices often gets over-looked when push comes to shove in the retail food industry.

Good Consumer Practices Are Necessary to Further Improve Global Food Safety

Wed, 01 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0400

The food industry and regulatory agencies have both been reluctant to suggest that consumers bear some responsibility for the safe handling of foods.

Best Practices in Facility Design

Thu, 03 Oct 2013 08:05:00 -0400

With a little planning upfront and by focusing on key aspects of the plumbing system design, it is relatively simple to have a plant that is safe from contamination and easy to maintain.

Boot Scrubbing Machines

Fri, 16 Aug 2013 08:00:00 -0400

Meritech has introduced a new line of boot scrubbing machines that completely sanitize employees’ rubber boots by continuously applying strong sanitizing solution through a series of high-pressure nozzle jets onto continuously rotating brushes.

The Sanitation of Ice-Making Equipment

Mon, 05 Aug 2013 17:00:00 -0400

Clean ice, clean ice storage bins and sanitary handling practices are the key to improving product quality.

Noroviruses in Shellfish and Other Foods: Challenges of the 21st Century

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Several methods have been developed to extract and test for total norovirus contamination in foods; however, there are no internationally recognized standard methods to date.

Personal Hygiene: A Basic Prerequisite Program for Ensuring Food Safety

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Personal hygiene should be an integral part of the food quality and safety for each and every food processor.

Proper Hand Washing: A Vital Food Safety Step

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Food safety considerations regarding hand washing are not confined to foodservice workers or food production and processing employees.