The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our world and the way we do business across every industry, including the food industry. One key takeaway for restaurants and other food businesses is the importance of enhancing food safety cultures in our COVID-19 world.
The definition of food safety culture has changed amid the coronavirus crisis. It used to be “what you’re doing when no one is watching,” meaning foodservice employees followed food safety protocols “behind the scenes.” Guests didn’t necessarily see what employees were doing to keep us safe, such as following proper protocols to avoid cross-contamination, cooking foods to proper temperatures, and meeting a variety of other safety standards.
Now, everyone is always watching to see if your restaurant is complying with new COVID-19 protocols. A nervous public wants to see restaurant employees wearing proper protective equipment, and they want to see continuous cleaning and sanitation efforts across the facility. They want to receive individual condiment packets instead of shared bottles; they want to scan your menu with their phone rather than touch shared menus; and they want to see amplified safety efforts that demonstrate your restaurant’s ongoing commitment to food safety protocols. And if they don’t see ongoing safety efforts in your restaurant, they will dine elsewhere.
COVID-19 is an ongoing challenge and there’s, unfortunately, no end in sight. Since this is not a short-term problem, it requires long-term changes. Businesses must ensure that every employee participates, adopting and embracing your elevated safety culture. You’re only as strong as your weakest link. If one employee works while sick, doesn’t wear a mask, or doesn’t clean your facility properly, your business, employees, and guests are at risk.
Here are four actionable ways to enhance your food safety culture:
- Take great care of your employees. If employees believe food safety isn’t important, your business is at risk. Your employees are your first line of defense when it comes to meeting standards and protecting your brand.
Explain why the protocols are so important and employees will be more likely to comply. If rules seem arbitrary, employees may not follow them. Employees perform better — and more consistently — when they know the “reason why” behind their tasks. They need to understand why their actions and their compliance matter.
If your employees feel safe and protected at your establishment, so will your guests.
- Make the experience collaborative, not punitive. Are your employees putting in minimal effort solely to avoid getting into trouble? Or do they feel empowered to go the extra mile?
Instead of a punitive system, consider creating a collaborative environment. Encourage employees across all locations to help identify potential risks and offer ideas for improvement. If employees know they are going to get help and support by being honest with store evaluations and self-audits, they are more likely to help you catch small issues that can be fixed immediately instead of growing into huge problems or liabilities. This inherently trickles down to improve customer experience and brand management.