EHA Group Food Safety and Epidemiology Blog

WHERE would YOU like me to stick this sanitizer bucket?

(Here Christine Testa comments on food safety observations during her time as a Health Department official in the state of Michigan.)

Most food service operations utilize sanitation buckets at every food prep area. The question remains for many operations – “Where can we legally stage them?” Simply, wipe cloths, used throughout the food prep and cooking areas, are required to be stored in a sanitizer solution to prevent harborage of bacteria and odor.

A sanitation bucket contains a recommended concentration of a chemical sanitizer, usually Quat or chlorine. These sanitizers are approved to reduce the number of microorganisms to safe limits. Low concentrations of chemicals are still considered to be chemicals and thus should never be stored above or next to foods in a manner that may encourage cross contamination.

10 BAD Food Employee Habits Observed During Inspections!

By Christine Testa - NE Regional Food Safety Specialist

(Here Christine Testa comments on food safety observations during her time as a Health Department official in the state of Michigan.)

1) Using a beverage glass to scoop the ice from the ice bin. Then searching for the broken glass before the owner finds out. 2) Wiping a knife covered with beef blood on an apron and then using it to cut a tomato. 3) Wearing an apron inside the toilet stall. 4) Using the mop wringer to dry parsley. 5) Using the hand sink to wash fruits and vegetables because it’s the closest sink available. 6) Wiping hands on the apron after forming raw ground meat into meat balls. 7) Multitasking with a cigarette hanging from ones mouth while mixing salads with bare hands. 8) Emptying a small can of chick peas in ones mouth before the inspector notices that they are past the use by date. Why waste it? 9) Counting to ten while pouring straight bleach in to a sanitizer bucket filled with water. More is so much better! 10) Sticking a finger into the chicken cordon blue to prove that it’s hot enough. Don’t forget the gravy!