Sask. safety expert offers takeout food tips

Restaurants in Saskatchewan are closed for all but delivery or takeout orders.

In the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic, a safety expert shared some tips on lowering the risk of transmission with to-go food.

Laura Bence, a safety advisor with Service Hospitality, sat down with Saskatchewan Afternoon’s David Kirton to discuss the topic.

She assured that restaurants have strict food safety protocols.

“Sanitizing is huge. Door handles, sensors, control panels. Hand hygiene is a big one, so washing hands after using the washroom, when they’re about to prepare food, (after) taking out the garbage,” she explained.

“Basically, every 5 minutes handwashing is happening.”

Delivery packaging was also a topic of discussion.

Bence said that the chances of transmission are much lower from touching a surface like packaging than coming close to another person.

As such, most places use a contactless delivery option, where they leave it on your doorstep.

However, she did have a recommended procedure to be as safe as possible.

“When you bring the packaging in, remove all the food from the pizza box or plastic container and put it on your own dishware as soon as possible. (Then) throw out those containers. Wash your hands immediately after, and then wash your hands as soon as you eat.”

You can hear the entire interview here, or just click the On Demand tab right here on ckom.com.