Communicating Grocery Safety and Sanitation Practices During COVID-19

<p>By: Hilary Thesmar, PhD, RD, CFS, Chief Food and Product Safety Officer, Senior Vice President, Food Safety, FMI<br /> <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/photos-for-staff-use/check-out/20151208-fmi-227r-web.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=bcbd9a6f_2" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="20151208-FMI-227r-WEB" title="20151208-FMI-227r-WEB" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" /></p> <p>Food and consumer products production facilities, distributors and wholesalers are part of our nation&rsquo;s &ldquo;critical infrastructure,&rdquo; and will remain open during this national emergency.</p> <p>Therefore, the food industry is doing everything possible to keep employees safe and maintain public health and confidence during this pandemic. It is critical that we follow and maintain CDC guidelines; namely practicing handwashing, honoring social distancing and upholding cleaning and sanitizing protocols, which are all recommended ways to mitigate the risk of transmitting this virus.</p> <p>FMI has developed a <a href="http://www.fmi.org/Covid-19SafetyToolkit?utm_source=Comprehensive+All+Member+List&amp;utm_campaign=0a4955dedb-coronavirus_COPY_01&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_1f49a5487b-0a4955dedb-">new resource</a> that could help with your internal and external communications efforts regarding worker and customer safety called Worker and Customer Safety Resources Toolkit.<br /> <br /> This <a href="https://www.fmi.org/food-safety/coronavirus/worker-and-customer-covid-19-safety-resources?utm_source=Comprehensive+All+Member+List&amp;utm_campaign=0a4955dedb-coronavirus_COPY_01&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_1f49a5487b-0a4955dedb-">new toolkit</a> substantiates safety and sanitation practices in grocery stores to fight misinformation and misperceptions regarding COVID-19. This dynamic toolkit is geared for FMI members to leverage with their various stakeholders, customers and media audiences. This <a href="http://www.fmi.org/Covid-19SafetyToolkit?utm_source=Comprehensive+All+Member+List&amp;utm_campaign=0a4955dedb-coronavirus_COPY_01&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_1f49a5487b-0a4955dedb-">toolkit </a>features: </p> <ul> <li>Video clips that feature key message points from experts.</li> <li>Two new infographics that communicate worker safety and ways food retailers are keeping their customers safe.</li> <li>Information from the Partnership for Food Safety Education.</li> <li>Link to a thorough FAQ.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>A script to customize for your closed-circuit TV programs so that you can recreate your own video.</li> </ul> <p>As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.</p> <p><a href="https://www.fmi.org/food-safety/coronavirus/worker-and-customer-covid-19-safety-resources" class="button">Visit Toolkit</a></p>