HOW TO MAKE CLEANING AND SANITIZATION MORE EFFICIENT
Sanitation and cleanliness are playing a bigger role than ever in the wake of the pandemic—and consumer expectations around restaurant safety will remain elevated in the future. According to recent Ecolab research on post vaccine consumer attitudes, 95% of consumers want to see as much or more cleaning and sanitation practices after the vaccine is distributed.
The steps restaurants are taking around sanitation and cleanliness should be highly visible to customers and promoted with signage that reinforces the message. Employee training on cleaning protocols needs to be thorough, and the execution of the tasks needs to be monitored for compliance.
In fact, balancing rigorous cleanliness standards while keeping labor low is one of the most critical activities in the post-pandemic environment. Many employees have seen their job descriptions adjusted during the past year, including some whose sole responsibility has become overseeing health and safety protocols.
Unlike food costs, which can be reduced through menu optimization and smart negotiating, the labor involved in maintaining the high levels of sanitation that consumers are demanding is more difficult to minimize.
That’s one of the reasons restaurants are turning to Ecolab’s Sink & Surface Cleaner Sanitizer, which combines a cleaner and a sanitizer in one innovative, no-rinse, EPA-registered solution (EPA Reg. No. 1677-260). The product streamlines processes and generates labor savings by eliminating the need to rinse between cleaning and sanitization, turning a three-step process into a two-step process.
Omitting the rinsing step can improve labor efficiency up to 33%, according to Ecolab. It can also simplify staff training and help ensure protocols are followed, reducing the likelihood of improper sanitization of food contact surfaces.
Another benefit is a reduction in water usage once rinsing is eliminated—a change that can add up to thousands of gallons saved per year at each restaurant location. The dilutable concentrate is formulated at about a quarter ounce per gallon, which also helps cut costs while reducing packaging, transportation and storage requirements. The diluted product can be safely used without personal protective equipment (PPE).
Sink & Surface Cleaner Sanitizer from Ecolab is part of a full system that includes:
- The solution itself, which can be used as a sanitizer in the third sink or as a spray to clean and sanitize food contact surfaces;
- A mobile dry wipe dispenser that makes cleaning and sanitization faster and more efficient;
- A Visual Compliance Bucket that features a clear window that holds a color-coded test strip to signal that the solution is at full strength.
Enhancing food safety
In addition to its other benefits when it comes to sanitization of surfaces, Ecolab’s Sink & Surface Cleaner Sanitizer also supports restaurant operators’ food safety efforts.
Not only does the product have a 15-second kill claim against the virus that causes COVID-19, but it also has a 30-second Norovirus kill claim when used on hard, non-porous surfaces.1 Norovirus sickens about 20 million people each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which found thatrestaurants account for 64% of Norovirus outbreaks.
In addition, the CDC also found that more than 75% of foodborne illnesses in general originate in foodservice settings, and that 13% of outbreaks are caused by contaminated equipment or environments. By sanitizing surfaces that food is prepared on with Ecolab’s Sink & Surface Cleaner Sanitizer, operators can help reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses while maintaining a strong food safety culture in their restaurants.
In the current climate, it’s no surprise that consumers are paying extra attention to what restaurants’ cleaning and sanitation processes are. By using a trustworthy solution that kills not only foodborne illness-causing bacteria but also the virus that causes COVID-191, restaurants can be sure that they are providing the best possible experience for their guests.
For more information about how Sink & Surface Cleaner Sanitizer from Ecolab can support effective cleaning, sanitization and help reduce foodborne illnesses, click here
1: When used according to the directions for use. Refer to EPA master label under #1677-260.
This post is sponsored by Ecolab
