Implementing Food Safety and Sanitation Procedures in Retail Outlets
To attract more customers, or keep current customers in their stores for longer, many retail outlets diversify their offerings. From book stores with coffee shops, convenience stores offering fresh flowers, and gas stations selling ready-made snacks, retail outlets have introduced elements that require food safety and sanitation solutions. If your business has implemented some of these value-added options, the following tips may help you navigate the complicated world of food safety and sanitation.
Implement Standard Sanitation Operating Procedures
Having documented standard operating procedures regarding food safety and sanitation promotes success. For example, a fresh flower display in a convenience store may have an SSOP sheet that outlines flower rotation and how often to use an additive like Florafresh, keeping the area fresh-looking and free from odors and wilting buds. While decaying flowers may not present a health risk to customers, the smell and appearance can be off-putting. Similar SSOPs should be developed for bathroom facility maintenance and cleaning, any food service or holding areas including coolers, as well as general cleaning of floors, walls, windows, and counters. Again, while food safety may be the primary concern, how your customers perceive the overall cleanliness of your store should also be atop your list of priorities.
Education and Training
The most important thing that you can do to protect your customers, team members, and reputation, is to have a robust food safety and sanitation training program that accompanies your SSOPs. Your store should have a structured training program that details the fundamentals of proper handwashing and hygiene, food handling, and holding temperatures, as well as cleanliness and sanitation. Adherence to these principles should be exhibited from the top down and supported with documentation.
Execute Audits and Inspections
Beyond SSOPs and training, ensuring regular practice, audits and inspections should be a regular occurrence in your store. This extra step will go a long way toward encouraging your team members to stick with the program. If an employee doesn't hear about your SSOPs after their training period ends, there is little to no chance that the practices will continue in the absence of reinforcement. You might even consider reaching out to a company that provides audit and inspection services as a part of their chemical sales program. An outsider's eye will always offer more objectivity than that of an inside employee or manager.
Annual Reviews of SSOPs and Training
A lot can change in a year. You may bring in new products, rearrange your store layout, and hire new employees. It is recommended, at least once a year, to revisit your SSOPs and training manuals. Regular audits and inspections should help with this process, allowing you to more clearly identify issues not sufficiently addressed, what procedures may no longer apply to the products offered, and aspects of your training that may be lacking.
Depending on the size of your store and your food safety and sanitation needs, you might consider working with a professional chemical, food safety, and sanitation company. For more information on developing proper SSOPs and employee training programs, contact us today.
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