- On July 26, 2021
- > Food Safety
All industries require a different level of personal care, depending on whether you’re working with people, food, or even in the great outdoors. However, one industry that requires attention to detail to keep others safe is the hospitality and foodservice industry.
Whether you’re about to sit for your online Texas food handlers safety course or you’re trying to make improvements to benefit yourself and your customers, the following information may be helpful.
Shower Before Your Shift
Even though it might not seem important, showering before you go to work has many benefits for yourself, your customers, and your colleagues. You can feel fresh and ready to start the day, and you also don’t need to worry about the smell of body odor being noticeable to anyone around you.
Wear a Fresh Uniform
A freshly laundered uniform is essential for each shift, particularly if you regularly work with food that can end up staining or marking your clothing. However, it’s also crucial for hygiene and health reasons.
Dirty uniforms and clothing can end up harboring microorganisms. These may lead to skin infections and an increased chance of body odor from the fungi and bacteria present.
Wash Your Hands Frequently
One of the first things you will learn in a food handlers course is the importance of hand washing. As you move between tasks like handling waste, using the toilet, preparing food, coughing, sneezing, and serving customers, you must wash your hands.
If you wear gloves, washing your hands before and after putting them on is also crucial for health and safety. Fortunately, it’s a fast, easy, and straightforward process that will quickly become muscle memory.
Run your hands under warm water and form a lather with soap. Make sure you rub all parts of your hands, getting between the fingers and under the nails. Lather for 20 seconds, then rinse with running water. Dry your hands with a clean towel or single-use paper towels.
Avoid Strong Scents
Being presentable is essential when you’re in the foodservice industry. This includes not only your appearance but your scent. Artificial scents like perfumes should be kept to a minimum, especially as customers prefer to smell food rather than your cologne or perfume.
If you smoke cigarettes on your breaks, hold your cigarette downwind to prevent the smoke from clinging to your clothing. Use breath spray after smoking, and wash your hands thoroughly. Where possible, avoid smoking on your shift altogether.
Don’t Wear Accessories
The fewer opportunities food has to make contact with you, the better. Therefore, refrain from wearing jewelry or other accessories if you can avoid it. Watches, rings, and bracelets all have the potential to lead to contamination.
Be Careful With Your Hair
Even though many people see their hair as a reflection of who they are, it’s essential to take care with it if you’re working with food. If you have long hair, tie it back out of your face to avoid strands of it ending up in people’s food.
If you are involved in service and meal preparation, consider using head coverings, such as a hairnet, when preparing meals.
Sneeze Appropriately
Sneezing can cause germs to spread at an alarming rate. While you may not be able to prevent sneezing, you can manage sneezes to avoid the risk of spreading illnesses. Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you need to sneeze or cough. Immediately throw these tissues in the trash.
If you are caught off guard without a tissue, sneeze into your elbow rather than your hand. If you sneeze during food service, remember to wash your hands immediately.
Learn More Important Information From TABC Pronto
TABC Pronto offers foodservice industry professionals in Texas the opportunity to learn everything there is to know about safe food service. Enroll in the online Texas food handlers card course today to make sure you can keep yourself and paying customers as safe as possible.
