FAST FACTS:
april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 9/15/2009) The H1N1 virus has changed the normal concern over food safety when you eat out. Many people are now practicing caution.
"You want to digest clean safe food, not worry about what's going on in your kitchen and hopefully everyone in there is doing their jobs taking care of their hands keeping them clean." says Domonique Dodson of Frayser.
The Health Department is on the look-out as it makes regular restaurant inspections.
"Most facilities are small, very close contact, handling people's food and dishes. If they happen to blow their nose, touch their face then touch a dish or glass, something could be transferred." says Otho Sawyer Supervisor of Food Services at the Memphis-Shelby County Health Department.
Health officials are making sure restaurant workers are washing their hands and taking sanitary precautions.
"Make sure water is hot, observe what employees are doing. Make sure they wash them for a full 20 seconds, nails up to elbows and wrist, that kind of thing. Make sure they dry their hands properly." says Sawyer.
They say as a customer you should check out a restaurant's score card and report any unclean practices to a manager or the health department directly.
"By us controlling food borne transmission, we also are controlling H1N1 because if you wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough, you are serving a dual purpose." says Sawyer.
Health department officials say so far they have no cases of H1N1 showing up among local restaurant workers.
- H1N1 spread has some concerned about food safety
- Health department checking to make sure restaurants following sanitary guidelines
- Handwashing among employees top priority
april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 9/15/2009) The H1N1 virus has changed the normal concern over food safety when you eat out. Many people are now practicing caution.
"You want to digest clean safe food, not worry about what's going on in your kitchen and hopefully everyone in there is doing their jobs taking care of their hands keeping them clean." says Domonique Dodson of Frayser.
The Health Department is on the look-out as it makes regular restaurant inspections.
"Most facilities are small, very close contact, handling people's food and dishes. If they happen to blow their nose, touch their face then touch a dish or glass, something could be transferred." says Otho Sawyer Supervisor of Food Services at the Memphis-Shelby County Health Department.
Health officials are making sure restaurant workers are washing their hands and taking sanitary precautions.
"Make sure water is hot, observe what employees are doing. Make sure they wash them for a full 20 seconds, nails up to elbows and wrist, that kind of thing. Make sure they dry their hands properly." says Sawyer.
They say as a customer you should check out a restaurant's score card and report any unclean practices to a manager or the health department directly.
"By us controlling food borne transmission, we also are controlling H1N1 because if you wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough, you are serving a dual purpose." says Sawyer.
Health department officials say so far they have no cases of H1N1 showing up among local restaurant workers.
