This week’s Convenience Matters podcast highlights safe food handling practices for consumers
By NACS Online // August 14, 2019
On the episode of Convenience Matters, “Keeping Food and Customers Safe,” NACS hosts Jeff Lenard, vice president of strategic industry initiatives, and Chris Blasinsky, content communications strategist, discussed the ins and outs of consumer-focused food safety with Shelley Feist, executive director at the Partnership for Food Safety Education.
Feist suggested basic food tips for consumers. “Some of the things people know they should do to reduce their risk of illness, they don’t consistently do them,” she said. “Being conscientious about hand washing can really make a difference between being well and being sick.” Also, keeping cold foods cold/on ice, cooking or reheating food safely and avoiding cross contamination.
NACS is a partner of the Partnership for Food Safety Education. The group’s website, www.fightbac.org, provides a wealth of information for both consumers and retailers. “What our website does really well is help you find a download to print or share with others about these four core messages of clean, separate, cook, chill,” Feist said. “We also include recipe videos with safe handling prompts.”
Convenience stores sell an estimated 45% of all bagged ice in the United States, which can help consumers keep their food chilled on road trips, at outdoor events and during a natural disaster. Feist said the partnernship’s research shows that customers appreciate assistance in protecting their food. “Retailers giving tips helps them enjoy quality and healthy foods,” she said.
Each week a new Convenience Matters episode is released. The podcast can be downloaded on Youtube, iTunes, Google Play and other podcast apps, and at www.conveniencematters.com. Episodes have been downloaded by listeners more than 60,000 times in 80 countries.