As health officials work to slow the spread of COVID-19 (the novel coronavirus), some of the precautions they’re taking will likely have a big impact on restaurants. Perhaps the most impactful precaution is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation against gatherings of 50 or more people. After the recommendation was issued on March […]
Coronavirus 101: How to Prevent Viral Infections
After recent news of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) reaching the United States, communities across the country are cancelling school and sporting events, and locals are making a mad dash to buy all the water and toilet paper at Wal-Mart. During this time of fear and anxiety for many, much misinformation is spread about infectious disease. […]
March Cartoon: How to Clean and Sanitize Your Kitchen Equipment
If you’re a food handler, you know cleaning out the popcorn machine or the deep fryer can be a pain. But do you understand how those tasks protect your customers from getting sick? Dirty kitchen equipment attracts all sorts of unwanted visitors, whether they’re pests like rodents and cockroaches or biological hazards like bacteria and […]
How to Store Food to Keep It Fresh
Sour milk, rotten fruits and veggies, freezer burn, spoiled packaging, moldy bread. These words conjure unpleasant images and feelings. It’s difficult not to cringe imagining or experiencing food that has gone bad. And no one likes to throw food out and feel like they’re wasting money. It’s impossible to be perfect in buying the right […]
6 Reasons to Maintain Commercial Kitchen Equipment
Managing a restaurant kitchen is so much more than overseeing the staff and placing food orders. All of the equipment, systems, and services in a commercial kitchen require routine maintenance. Not only does this include daily cleaning your cooking appliances and work surfaces, it may also mean scheduling a professional deep clean of ventilation hoods […]
How to Clean and Care for Your Fridge
Germs have been around since the dawn of time — but only in the past few hundred years has humankind begun to be aware of them. In the 1800s, doctors wouldn’t wash their hands between performing autopsies and life-saving surgeries. They didn’t understand the microscopic world that is invisible to the naked eye. Today, we […]
5 Tips for Preparing Tex-Mex Food Safely
Tex-Mex food is everywhere — although if you’re like me, you may not recognize it by name. When I was growing up, I simply thought of Tex-Mex as “Americanized” Mexican food. What is “Tex Mex”? The name “Tex Mex,” or Tex-Mex, is a combination of two words: Texan and Mexican. As the name suggests, Tex-Mex […]
February Cartoon: Food Safety and Jewelry
Have you ever thought about how many pathogens and germs your jewelry might have? If you were to put your jewelry under a microscope, you’d probably be disgusted to see the number of bacteria and dead skin cells that jewelry can accumulate — especially rings and bracelets. The fact is, everyone carries disease-causing microorganisms on […]
How to Develop a HACCP Plan for Texas
What is HACCP? HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points. A HACCP plan is developed by a food establishment manager and implemented by food workers to control for potential hazards in food. By using a HACCP plan, you can help your customers avoid dangerous food hazards and fully enjoy their meals. To learn […]
3 Unique Risk Factors for Foodborne Illness in California
Each year on average, approximately 3,000 Californians get sick from eating contaminated food. If you’ve ever had food poisoning, you know it isn’t a pleasant experience. Many foodborne illnesses cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, and nausea. The most common illnesses can last between one day and two weeks. Most people recover on their own within a […]