Prevent the Spread of Illness
Understanding how to handle food safely is important to help reduce foodborne illness and disease in Snohomish County. The Washington State Department of Health has determined that many cases of illness could be prevented by four main things:
1. Wash Hands often for 10-15 seconds with soap and warm water. Make sure to wash your hands twice after using the restroom, once in the restroom and once at the handwashing sink in the kitchen. This will remove as many germs as possible.
2. No Bare Hand Contact with Ready-To-Eat foods. Use gloves, utensils, or deli papers to prevent cross contamination. Change gloves often and wash your hands each time you change your gloves.
3. Stay home if you are sick. Especially if you are experiencing symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting. The germs that cause illness are very small. The only way to ensure you won’t spread the illness on is to stay out of the kitchen.
4. Clean and Sanitize surfaces and utensils. Clean first with warm water and soap. Then use an approved sanitizer to kill germs. Change sanitizers every 2 hours.