According to the CDC there are more than 200 diseases known to cause problems through food causing a varying range of estimated illnesses each year ranging from 6 to 81 million cases with 9,000 deaths. Such a variant range of large numbers food-borne illnesses can be intimidating to any hospitality business owner. The statistics can be more frightening when the cost of helping those who have contracted a food-borne disease is added. Unfortunately, the estimated costs that the United States
After seeing these reports, I tried to find out why are there so many variables until I came across an article written by Emilee from statefoodsafety.com. According to a recent Harris Poll, 69% of Americans believe they know what made them sick, even before getting all of the facts. In other words, perception of what made them sick can be devastating to a business, even if that business isn’t at fault. This may also be why so many statistics from leading government agencies are so variant.
So are the best solutions? First and for most, of course, make sure your business is up to date with basics of food safety and current to your specific state and local regulations. The basics don’t change much, but the regulations and laws will vary from state-to-state and even from different type of industry. Second would be to follow up with a decent policy to protect your assets just incase anything out side of your control comes up with illnesses in manufacturing or improper storage during delivery. Food Borne Illness Business Interruption policies can provide coverage for loss of Business Income due to a media publication or announcement of food contamination. Also, Food Contamination Shutdown policies that can pay for loss of income as the result of a shut down ordered by The Board of Health or other government authorities.
After seeing these reports, I tried to find out why are there so many variables until I came across an article written by Emilee from statefoodsafety.com. According to a recent Harris Poll, 69% of Americans believe they know what made them sick, even before getting all of the facts. In other words, perception of what made them sick can be devastating to a business, even if that business isn’t at fault. This may also be why so many statistics from leading government agencies are so variant.
So are the best solutions? First and for most, of course, make sure your business is up to date with basics of food safety and current to your specific state and local regulations. The basics don’t change much, but the regulations and laws will vary from state-to-state and even from different type of industry. Second would be to follow up with a decent policy to protect your assets just incase anything out side of your control comes up with illnesses in manufacturing or improper storage during delivery. Food Borne Illness Business Interruption policies can provide coverage for loss of Business Income due to a media publication or announcement of food contamination. Also, Food Contamination Shutdown policies that can pay for loss of income as the result of a shut down ordered by The Board of Health or other government authorities.
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