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TextFood Safety Education Month - 2011
The
Board of Supervisors declared the month of September Food
Safety Education Month in Fairfax County to coincide with the
national recognition. Board members encourage the food service industry,
as well as residents, to participate in activities that promote safe food
handling and preparation.
National Food Safety Education Month was created in 1994 to heighten the awareness about the importance of food safety education. This year's theme is "Lessons Learned from the Health Inspection." Throughout the month, the health department and the food service industry will work together to promote food safety education and encourage additional training for food service employees.
Week 1, September 1-3: The Health Inspection
A health inspection can help show food service employees whether
they are doing all they can to keep food safe. The goal is to not only
pass the inspection, but also to follow safe practices whenever handling
food.
Week 2, September 4-10: What to Watch For when Handling
Food
Health inspectors know that poor personal hygiene can cause a foodborne
illness. During the inspection they will watch to see if food is being
handled in a way that keeps pathogens from being transferred from a food
service employee's body to food.
Week 3, September 11-17: What to Watch for When
Cleaning and Sanitizing
Health inspectors know that food can become unsafe if you don't clean
and sanitize food-contact surfaces the right way. During inspection they
will watch to see how food service employees are doing this.
Week 4, September 18-24: What to Watch For When Storing
Food
Health inspectors know that food can easily become contaminated if food
service employees don't store it the right way. During an inspection,
they will watch to see how employees do this.
Week 5, September 25-30: What to Watch for When Handling
Utensils and Equipment
Health inspectors know that food can easily become unsafe if utensils
and equipment are not handled the right way. During an inspection,
inspectors will watch to see how employees do this.
Learn more about National Food Safety
Education Month and download educational materials and NFSEM activities
for food service employees.
The Fairfax County Health Department is committed to the prevention of
foodborne illness. A dedicated team of professionals inspects more than
3,100 food service establishments each year. In addition, the health
department educates food professionals and residents through outreach
that includes quarterly food safety newsletters, periodic workshops and a
food safety website. Learn more about food
safety.
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