CLARK COUNTY FOOD NEWS April 2019 Issue 8

Technical Advisory Committee Meeting - April 19th At this quarter’s Technical Advisory Committee we will be talking about proposed changes to the 2020 fee schedule. Please join us! This is your opportunity to learn of proposed adjustments to the existing fee schedule and share your comments.   Location: WSU Extension 1919 NE 78th Street, Vancouver, WA 98665 Date & Time: April 19th 9:00 am-10:30 am Click here to view the Technical Advisory Committees web page.

Are Your Staff Washing Hands When They Should Be?

Restaurants are busy places and it’s not uncommon for staff to forget to wash their hands before preparing foods or putting on gloves. However, bacteria and viruses, also known as pathogens, are unforgiving. Something as simple as hand washing is an important activity that keeps your customers safe from contracting a foodborne illness and may help your business thrive! Food workers are more likely to wash hands in restaurants with more than one hand washing sink Food workers wash hands more often when hand washing sinks are easily accessible. There is very little difference between antibacterial soap and non-antibacterial soap in terms of preventing the spread of foodborne bacteria. Correct handwashing takes less than 20 seconds – about the time it takes to sing the happy birthday song – and requires soaping and lathering from the wrist down for 10-15 seconds, then rinsing under hot and cold running water, and drying hands with a single-use towel or air dryer. Hand sanitizers are NOT a substitute for handwashing, though some business allow or require staff to use an approved hand sanitizer AFTER they have correctly washed their hands.

A few reminders on common hand washing mistakes in food establishments are: Wash hands in the designated hand washing sinks only. Dish washing sinks, food prep sinks and dump sinks are not hand washing sinks. Treat hands like the dirty things they are, and wash them in their own sink.  Make sure your sink is stocked. All hand washing sinks – including restrooms – need three things at all times: soap, paper towels, and hot water.    Watch those hands! Checking a quick text or selecting some music to stream? What about adjusting your glasses, hair, hat, or other personal items? Wash your hands afterward!   Double washing is required when you visit a restroom: wash before leaving the bathroom, and then wash hands AGAIN immediately when you enter the kitchen. No one wants to risk transferring anything from the restroom into the kitchen.   Did you just crack an egg, or handle uncooked meat, fish or poultry? Head on over to that designated hand washing sink for a wash. Just finished washing dishes? Dirty dishes are covered in all kinds of bacteria from food and customers. After handling dirty dishes, wash hands in a hand washing sink and then put away the clean dishes to avoid transferring pathogens.

With All This Hand Washing, Who Needs Gloves? If you are handling ready-to-eat food intended for the public (be it for sale or for free) in Washington State, you cannot handle ready-to-eat foods with your bare hands. So what IS a “ready to eat” food? Ready-to-eat foods include: Rinsed fruit and vegetables that may be eaten raw such as sliced fruit, certain whole fruits that are not peeled (such as apples), salad ingredients, and garnishes. Bakery or bread items such as cakes, pies, breads, and tortilla chips. Foods that have already been cooked such as pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, and tacos. Foods that will not be thoroughly cooked such as sandwiches, sushi, and deli salads. Are Gloves the Only Option? Not every can or wants to wear gloves. What is required in Washington is for food workers to use “barriers” when handling ready-to-eat foods. “Barriers” can also include tongs or other utensils, pastry papers, etc. Gloves are just one of several options for food workers when handling ready-to-eat foods.

Call 564-397-8083 to report an illness or file a complaint about food handling processes. Food worker cards can be obtained through foodworkercard.wa.gov .  For more information about the services we provide, please click the button to reach our Food Safety homepage. CCPH Food Safety Website Technical Advisory Committee ‌ ‌

Clark County Public Health 1601 E Fourth Plain, Building 17 Vancouver, WA 98661