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2024 REFLECTIONS OF FAWSIT TRAINING ACTIVITIES
During 2024, FAWSIT worked with food service operators as well as food workers regarding the delivery of trainings such as Food Protection Manager and Food Worker Basics. We also had the opportunity to assist with the development of Emergency Operation Plans in response to water interruption, which will be one of the areas of emphasis for 2025. [A free 15-minute Emergency Operation Plan webinar will be presented by FAWSIT Training on January 23rd at 10:00 AM: Pre-registration is required.]
The pictures shown represent the special recognition of American Legion Post 160-Smyrna for demonstrating exceptional commitment to Food Safety by securing multiple services from FAWSIT during the year. Shout outs to Post Commander Wade S. Lnenicka and Certified Food Safety Manager Rodney Turner as they have helped to lead the way.
Also pictured is one of the most recent classes, along with course Administrative Assistant Jacinta Anderson (L) and FAWSIT Training CEO Karen Gulley (R).
Looking forward to our connections with others growing in our 2025 chapter on this Food Safety journey.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN FOOD SAFETY: CASE OF THE MYSTERIOUS SALAD
One of the first foodborne outbreaks I was assigned to investigate during my 30 + year public health career, involved about 13 persons becoming very sick after consuming salad allegedly prepared at a café located within the building they worked. The environmental assessment of the café revealed improper food source and preparation. Find out more of the details in this short video: Once Upon a Time in Food Safety: Case of the Mysterious Salad (youtube.com) Updated 7-11-2024
If you are a food service operator that would like an assessment of your menu and practices, submit a request via our Contact link.
#safefoodpreparation #safefoodsource
Picture by Chan Walrus
ENSURING OPERATIONAL CONTINUITY: THE IMPORTANCE OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS IN FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS
Have you ever pondered the ramifications of a water supply interruption for a food service establishment? For those in the food service industry, this scenario isn’t merely hypothetical. It’s a potential reality faced by quite a few facilities due to various factors such as water line breakages, utility upgrades, or the activation of a Boiled Water Order.
In Georgia, regulations stipulate that restaurants can operate only up to two hours in the event of a water interruption lasting two hours or more, unless they have an approved Emergency Operations Plan in place. Scrambling to throw together a plan during a crisis, however, is far from ideal. According to Georgia Food Service Regulations, an Emergency Operations Plan should outline how your facility can ensure access to potable water, maintain temperature control, uphold cleaning and sanitizing practices, and ensure general sanitation when water resources are compromised.
Without such a plan approved by the regulatory authority in advance, a water interruption can cripple operations, potentially rendering your food establishment unable to prepare or provide food for days – depending on the severity of the event and the time required for water restoration. This downtime translates to lost business and productivity.
To mitigate these risks, it’s crucial for food service operators not to leave their operational continuity to chance. FAWSIT Training can help you create a comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan that can be submitted to the respective health authorities for review and approval. By visiting our website at FAWSIT.Training, you can access resources and request services to bolster your preparedness for such unforeseen circumstances.
In a field where resilience and adaptability are of great importance, investing in proactive measures like an Emergency Operations Plan can safeguard not only the viability of your business but also the health and safety of patrons and staff alike.
Don’t wait for a crisis to strike! Request a consult via the FAWSIT.Training CONTACT link TODAY to help ensure that your business stays
resilient in the face of such adversity. #emergencyoperationsplan #waterinterruption
THE CULTURAL FOODS SAFETY APP
The Cultural Foods Safety app was produced by the University of Tennessee’s Center for Agriculture and Food Security, funded in part by a grant from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although last updated in 2016, it continues to be useful today. The app was designed to assist regulatory inspectors in the identification of various foods found in ethnic establishments and the evaluation of related processes. However, everyday consumers can find it beneficial as well; especially as different foods are being considered for holiday menus.
The app provides information on safe food preparation and handling, facts/considerations pertaining to foods of various cultures, along with some cultural dos & don’ts, and other useful information. The array of food is organized by region, faith, and related processes, with a search feature that contributes to ease of use. This free, downloadable app would be an asset to the resources that are readily available on your Android or iPhone devices. If you haven’t done so already, check it out in Google Play or Apple Store.
#foodsafety #culturalfoodsafety #foodsafetyapp
