In 2018, over 200 million U.S. consumers visited a sit-down restaurant. When considering that 4% of American adults have a food allergy, means dining out is difficult for many people. When you are not the one preparing the food, it’s hard to know exactly what’s in it. For people with food allergies, even a small trace of an allergen could trigger an allergic reaction.

Cross-contamination is the nasty culprit behind many foodborne illnesses. That’s because pathogens can spread from food or unwashed hands to prep areas, equipment, or utensils. Even if the food is cooked correctly, meals can still be contaminated with pathogens if the prep process isn’t done properly. The CDC estimates that an average of 3,000 people die each year from foodborne illness so preventing such illness with proper food handling is of monumental importance.

Food allergies affect an estimated 32 million Americans and 5.6 million of them are children under 18 years old. There is no cure for food allergies. The best way to prevent allergic reactions is through awareness and proper labeling.

As the school year winds down, many will be searching for summer childcare. While there are laws about food safety and child care, it’s not as widely talked about and regulated as the restaurant industry, even though children spread germs and illnesses faster than parents and caregivers can sanitize.