Food Safety; Pests and Vectors; Air Quality - Essay Example

Food Safety; Pests and Vectors; Air Quality Institute Question Explain which of the following two approaches can be used to enhance food safety in the long run, a stronger enforcement program by the local health department or a mandatory food safety training requirement for all restaurant employees. Describe worker’s behaviors that may promote or compromise food safety. Answer: Wikipedia (2009) explains food safety as a scientific discipline describing handling, preparation, and storage of food in ways that prevent food-borne illness.

There are several approaches adapted by food service industries and restaurants for the safety of the food being provided to their respective communities. Among the two approaches stated above; training the restaurant employees seems more practicable and productive. This approach has also been applied at Philadelphia in 2009; Don Sapatkin (2009) explains that they adapted a risk-based approach in which emphasis was given to food worker’s knowledge and behavior. It is very important for them to comprehend as to how contamination is spread and how to prevent it.

Frequent inspections by restaurant inspectors also play a crucial role in maintaining a good and healthy standard of food service. Personal hygiene of the workers in the restaurants is mandatory. It is noticed that restaurant owners serve much time on the cleanliness of the kitchens and tables etc. but don’t pay attention if the cooks and workers are washing their hands at regular intervals. The workers should be trained and made aware of the food-borne illnesses they are likely to transmit through their food if they are not hygiene cautious.

US Food and Drug Administration (2009) states that there is another very important factor regarding food safety; which is the knowledge of temperatures for cooking specific ingredients .e.g. each portion of cooked chicken must reach a minimal internal temperature of 165F for 15 seconds. They should also be aware as to which food is more prone to develop bacteria and at what temperature they should be cooked to remove them. Workers should be urged to wear head gears whenever they are in contact with food to promote a proactive approach rather than a reactive approach.

Another thing that should be monitored is that the temperatures of refrigerators are maintained at a suitable temperature. It is often noticed by inspectors that the air temperature of walk-in refrigerators are kept warm.Question 2: Describe the recommendations you would give the public to prevent further spread of West Nile Virus by mosquitoes. Describe the recommendations you would give the community to control the mosquito population in the community.Answer: Infected mosquitoes spread West Nile virus that can cause serious, life-altering, and even fatal disease.

Extreme measures should be taken to control the spread of this virus to ensure a healthy community. Division of Vector Borne Infectious Diseases (2007) explains; it is recommended that people choose a good and lasting insect repellent and apply it to exposed skin. Wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants is always advisable to keep oneself safe from mosquito bites in the outdoors. Infants should be our first priority in keeping them safe from the mosquito bites and should always cover their carriers with mosquito netting.

The peak mosquito biting times are at dawn, dusk and early in the evening, therefore it is advised to stay indoors during these hours. Door and window screens should be installed so that the mosquitoes cannot come inside the house and ensure that they are shut properly. Neighborhood clean up days should be organized by youth or civic organizations so that the whole community can come together in fighting this issue. Containers should be picked up from vacant lots and parks. Mosquitoes are known to lay their eggs in standing water so all the people should be encouraged to keep their yards free of standing water and also to get rid of items in the parks that hold water.

Vector management program prove to be most effective in preventing and controlling West Nile virus and other arboviral diseases. These programs include inspection for the virus in mosquito vectors, birds, horses, other animals, and humans.ReferencesWikimedia Foundation, Inc. (2009). Food Safety. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_safetyDon Sapatkin. (2009). Turning up the heat on Philadelphia food-safety inspections.http://www.philly.com/philly/restaurants/20090807_Turning_up_the_heat_on_Phila__food-safety_inspection.

htmlUS Food and Drug Administration. (2009). Food Safety. http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/default.htmDivision of Vector Borne Infectious Diseases. (2007). Questions and Answers http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/prevention.htm