Welcome back to the SafeStaff Connector. The challenges and sheer volume of information from the pandemic caused us to minimize our food safety communication, but we couldn’t let Food Safety Month pass by without sharing some useful and relevant news.
The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association recently introduced our Seal of Commitment guest confidence program. This is FRLA’s designation for demonstrating your commitment to safety and sanitation standards that will bring guests back. The Seal of Commitment is a promise that your food service or lodging operation meets safety and sanitation standards prescribed by FRLA, and exceeds regulatory mandates. Seal of Commitment recipients have demonstrated their facility and staff are focused on guest health and safety. To qualify, businesses must meet these criteria:
- All managers have a current food manager certificate;
- All employees have a current food handler certificate;
- All employees complete an FRLA COVID-19 Sanitation & Safety Course;
- Establishments meet specific sanitation standards.
Visit our Seal of Commitment webpage to learn about the many benefits to earning this designation.
September is Food Safety Month: The National Restaurant Association, through its Food Safety Focus web page has published some great resources for you to use when training staff. National Food Safety Month 2020 is themed as “Managing Risk: 30 Years of Food Safety.” They’ve provided some downloadable materials such as a personal hygiene pop quiz, personal hygiene tips in poster format, reading material relating to best personal hygiene practices, cleaning and sanitizing, safe food prep, food safety procedures and COVID-19 precautions. Find out more here.
SafeStaff Offers FREE Sanitation and Safety Training: SafeStaff is offering FREE training for operating during the global pandemic to all FRLA members and RCS Training clients. This training program will help you reopen and stay open safely and will instill confidence in your guests. This training program covers:
- Maintaining professionalism during a public health crisis
- Effective cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting
- Employee personal health and hygiene standards
- Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Delivering superior service while social distancing
- Security and safety during a vulnerable time
Contact SafeStaff at 800-537-9863 or rcs@frla.org for more information. The program is offered online and to non-members as well. Find out more here.
COVID-19 Supplies: If open, all hospitality industry members must utilize new procedures, products and solutions to comply with governmental requirements. Visit FRLA’s COVID-19 Supplies directory for many of the supplies you need to remain open during the global pandemic. Learn more here.
COVID-19 Guidance for Restaurant Operations: ServeSafe has compiled a good listing of everything you need for guidance with regards to operations during the global pandemic on their Food Safety Focus page. Check it out.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Recommends Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill for Food Safety Education Month and Year-Round: The USDA has posted some great information about Food Safety Month and recommendations on their FoodSafety.gov page to use for team training.
In addition, we are at the height of hurricane season in September, and it is always time to get a plan. USDA has put together a poster and some information to assist with before, during and after for food safety in a disaster or emergency. Visit their webpage for more info.
Foodhandler Training Is Mandatory In Florida! Be sure your your employees are current and have received this important training. Visit SafeStaff.org to learn more.