Food 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
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
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.
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.