Blog, Food preparation
Norovirus across the UK – use soap and water not gels
Jul
Outbreaks of bug being reported around the country
Norovirus – the so-called “winter vomiting bug” seems to be surfacing with increased frequency at a more unusual time of year during the summer heatwave, according to a recent report on The Mirror website.
Article author Elaine McCahill has written that outbreaks of the stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea have been reported in “Devon, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Suffolk, Lincolnshire, North Wales and South Wales.”
The image (above) show the TEAL BigSynk portable hand washing facility.
Why effective hand washing is vital
Slowing down the spread of the virus is crucial says the article and this can be achieved with a combination of good hygiene practices – in particular with frequent and rigorous hand washing.
It is however important not to rely on hand gels as they simply don’t work against the virus.
“Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet and before preparing food. Don’t rely on alcohol hand gels, as they don’t kill the virus.”
Anyone that does succumb to the illness should stay at home until they feel better.
“There’s no cure for norovirus, so you have to let it run its course.”
NHS advice regarding norovirus
The NHS Choices website provides useful advice on avoiding the illness and what to do it it strikes. It too advocates washing with soap and water.
“Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to stop it spreading. Alcohol hand gels don’t kill norovirus.”
Norovirus bug reported across UK – what you need to know about ‘absolutely vile’ stomach bug »
Hand wash units for caterers – and their customers – that need no external water supply
TEAL hand wash portable sinks are the perfect solution for the food-related and catering industries. Two models in particular the Handeman Xtra Portable and the WashStand (shown below) are idea for mobile food outlets – they need no external water supply.
Just fill up the tanks with clean water from any suitable container and get washing!
Ideal for all catering related businesses such as Street Food suppliers, retailers, farmers’ markets and kiosks, outside catering, fast food outlets, ice cream vendors, coffee kiosks, sandwich bars and all other forms of mobile catering. TEAL hand wash units are also perfect for customers who use your facilities.
The TEAL range of mobile sinks for caterers »