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<< back to the 2004 archive listing << Food Protection Trends COMMENTARY from the executive director “Remember, stress how important handwashing is to public health
and to a safe food system.” Handwashing — wash your hands with soap and warm running water. That is the description included with the IAFP International Food Safety Icon for handwashing. Handwashing is so very important to limit the spread of germs and viruses but it is estimated that less than 50% of the population (in the USA) wash their hands often enough and only one in three wash their hands after using the restroom! These results are not acceptable and not what our public health officials want to see, but how can we change people’s behavior? We have all heard pleas from the public health folks telling us the way to reduce spreading the flu or common cold germs is to wash, wash, wash — for at least 20 seconds of vigorous scrubbing. Our mothers most likely told us that years ago as we were growing up (I know that mine did). You would think that with all of this encouragement and the logic that we can reduce illness, everyone would WANT to wash their hands all of the time. I would think that you, as a food safety professional would be one who “over washes” your hands (washing more often than necessary) and that you “encourage” those around you to do the same. I know in the years I have worked for IAFP, my handwashing has increased exponentially! There are many times that I “remind” my friends and family to wash their hands, whether it is before, during or after food preparation or during a time of high risk for communicable illnesses. On a recent vacation trip to Los Angeles to view the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, I was startled by the handwashing experiences I encountered. First, upon arrival at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport), I used the restroom facilities and before exiting, washed my hands. The water in this particular restroom was ice cold (yes, even in Southern California!). This trend followed in a few of the restaurants that I visited during the week in LA, which was quite surprising to me. The restaurants were very nice, respectable restaurants and some on property of the noted amusement parks in the area. I made mention of the cold water situation to the manager of one of the restaurants, and my comments were met with a nonchalant, “I’ll look into it.” As I am sure he was busy with “more important” items, I don’t believe that he did look into it, at least not that evening. Another place where I would think that handwashing would be of utmost importance is at so-called, “temporary events” such as the Tournament of Roses Parade. The Parade organizers had done an excellent job of positioning portable toilet facilities, but I never once saw a portable handwashing station. This again astonished me since there is such an emphasis this year on proper handwashing to prevent the spread of diseases such as the flu. Even in Iowa, my home state, many of the temporary events where portable toilet facilities are made available, organizers provide portable handwashing stations. Maybe this would be an additional cost for the estimated one million visitors to the Rose Parade, but it seems that it would be a cost well worth the investment to help our public health! I know that I would be willing to pay an additional dollar or two (less than 3% of the grandstand seat cost) to have this service available. Maybe then I would not have returned home with a nasty cold, sore throat and chest congestion! Remember, stress how important handwashing is to public health and to a safe food system. Thanks for your leadership on this issue! By the way, the Parade was a wonderful experience and we had a great time at this once-in-a-lifetime event. |