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 illness faster than parents and caregivers can sanitize.
Often, foodborne illness can spread from something as simple as a toy passing between kids. When you work with kids you know there’s very rarely a quiet moment. It’s easy to miss something simple.
The following are some tips to keep children safe from foodborne illnesses.
Proper handwashing can drastically reduce the risk of passing along a foodborne illness. Make sure children are washing their hands before they eat and after they use the bathroom.
If there’s one thing that’s universal to all children everywhere it’s that they tend to play with, touch, or interact with things that may not always be the most sanitary.
Try to make a point of sanitizing objects and surfaces, especially toys that small children may put in their mouths.
Follow safe food handling practices, such as cooking food to its minimum internal cooking temperature and sanitizing surfaces and utensils.
Improper food storage can cause pathogenic bacteria to multiply, especially in time and temperature-controlled foods. Be sure that all food that needs to be refrigerated, is refrigerated.
1 in 13 school-aged children have some sort of food allergy. Be aware of any children’s food allergies and learn what you can do to prevent an allergic reaction, such as restricting that food from the classroom.
Learn more about food safety by taking our Food Handlers training.
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