In our daily research on current food safety risks and outbreaks, we came across an article outlining a recent rise in norovirus infections in Minnesota. Norovirus spreads extremely easily and causes vomiting, diarrhea and other stomach issues. Even though it’s easily spread, it’s also easy to combat with simple food safety measures. Let’s take a look at how food safety managers can do their part to help control norovirus spread.
Controlling the Norovirus Outbreak in Minnesota
Over the course of the past year, business has been down in the food service sector, but now that things are beginning to open, our restaurants are once again nearing capacity increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses like norovirus. Fortunately, norovirus can be controlled using basic sanitation methods and monitoring employee hygiene. The simplest way to stop the spread of norovirus includes the following simple food safety steps:
- Reinforce handwashing procedures
- Avoid bare-hand contact with ready to eat foods
- Never work when sick
The good news is that these norovirus infection issues have been reinforced due to COVID-19 prevention, but as our restaurants begin to get busier and food service workers face more hectic shifts, we cannot become lax with these basic food safety management protocols or we’ll face more foodborne illness outbreaks such as the current rise in norovirus in our state. Remember to take the time to wash your hands often, wear food-service gloves or tongs when handling food and stay home when under the weather.
Have you taken steps to review basic food safety procedures as business begins to pick up?