by 
Flu Season Tip
World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Health Day reminded us of the importance of all things food safety and public health. World’s apart in development, all countries share in the dangers of the unwashed hand and those seldom-cleaned high-touch surfaces. Through the lens of Handwashing For Life, World Health Day is first and foremost a World Handwashing Day.
We very much like the fact that the WHO places the advice of “Keep clean” at the top of their list of food safety priorities. This broad banner is perhaps good marketing but its abstract nature does little to encourage specific action and diminishes the importance of handwashing. The CDC reminds us that “Handwashing is the single-most important means of preventing the spread of infection.” They also point out that “Handwashing is like a do-it-yourself vaccine.”
We offer the WHO an edit in their Key 1:
- Key 1: Wash hands and high-touch surfaces frequently
- Key 2: Separate raw and cooked food
- Key 3: Cook food thoroughly
- Key 4: Keep food at safe temperatures
- Key 5: Use safe water and raw materials
Let’s take the lead from the WHO and the CDC to encourage better health with better handwashing, especially during the flu and norovirus season. Protect yourself and all the lives you touch.
