Clean cuisine with Lotus Professional solutions

Innovation is increasingly important in the food industry, where in recent years operators have faced fierce competition against a challenging economic backdrop and it is all the more important for restaurants and other catering facilities to stay one step ahead. Facilities managers need to work all the harder to provide the best solutions for added value and ultimate customer satisfaction.

The systems and disciplines operated at front of house and behind the scenes in the food service market are not only important in portraying a positive business image to the customer but also in meeting legislative food hygiene requirements.

Dominique Deschamps, President & Managing Director of the Away-From-Home business at Georgia-Pacific EMEA, explains how the right selection of pioneering products can go a long way to benefiting restaurants and catering companies with regards to hygiene standards, cost-effective business practices and overall end-user satisfaction.

Wipe a smile 'on' their face

The food preparation industry proves to be at high risk of possible contamination, with the constant hand to product contact in high traffic environments - without good hygiene and hand washing practices, caterers face the risks of cross-contamination and food poisoning.

Germs can spread more easily in the hot, hectic environment of an industrial kitchen, as heat can encourage growth of harmful bacteria[1].  With such an assortment of different food products and regular hand-to-product contact, it is all the more crucial that restaurant owners and workers keep their work-place absolutely hygienic.

According to studies, one germ on a dish-cloth can spread to one million in the space of half a day, and this is increased in warmer room temperatures. [2] Consider how often chefs wipe their hands on an apron and then dry kitchenware with the same cloth in a hot sweaty kitchen. If you then consider that on average a kitchen sink harbours 100,000 times more harmful bacteria than the lavatory, regular and efficient hand-washing is imperative in quashing harmful bacteria and limiting cross-contamination.

Single use wipes like the Reflex® Wiping system from the Lotus Professional® range mean that bacteria that are picked up on the one wipe get sent straight into the bin, rather than passed all around the kitchen, equipment and food.  Furthermore, the Reflex® dispenser is ideal in locations where large surfaces need to be cleaned on a regular basis, such as that of a kitchen worktop or table, as this system can reduce waste by delivering a fast and controlled wiping solution.  Research shows that the Reflex® can provide up to 35%[3] decrease in consumption.

Proper Hand Hygiene

The World Health Organisation's optimum hand-hygiene recommendation[4] is to wash hands with soap and dry them with a single-use paper towel or to use an alcohol-based hand rub. So it is essential that industrial kitchens choose innovative soaps and dryers that allow kitchen workers to wash their hands regularly, quickly and with complete confidence that their hands are satisfactorily sterile.

Lotus Professional range is delivering all three solutions in one touch-free range, combining uncompromising hand hygiene experience, convenient dispensing, and cost-in-use benefits.

The enMotion® hand hygiene range offers a complete touchless solution to hand-washing and ultimately reduces the threat of cross-contamination in food preparation.

The enMotion® Antibacterial Foam Soap and Foam Hand Sanitizer increase the quality of each hand-wash by providing fast and effective coverage. Both soaps formulation have proven effective against many bacteria, viruses and fungi, including H1N1 (swine flu), MRSA and hepatitis. They are also very gentle on the skin, leaving the hands feeling soft, smooth and healthy.

For efficient drying, the enMotion® hand towel dispenser has a motion sensitive function where the automated touchless sheet by sheet dispensing limits risks of cross-contamination, while preserving Cost-in-Use by delivering the right amount of paper to effectively dry hands.

The Water Resistant enMotion® hand towel dispenser was especially developed for the food preparation industry; its unique system can be sprayed clean for fast and efficient workplace maintenance, saving time and improving hygiene management. The design of the machine itself allows it to be washed down for thorough and effective cleaning. The Water Resistant enMotion® is compatible with the blue food contact roll[5] which is designed to be easily spotted amongst food, making it an even safer option in restaurants.

Recent studies in the UK show that up to 47% of food service workers are guilty of not properly washing their hands after toilet usage, therefore putting themselves and their customers at risk of contamination, so it is vital that caterers recognise the importance of efficient hand washing, and select the products that best facilitate an hygienic environment.

And the rest

People who encounter an unsatisfactory restroom believe it to reflect poorly on the sanitation of the entire establishment, including the food preparation areas.

The complete touchless enMotion range from Lotus Professional offers facility managers a solution to maintaining clean and pleasant restrooms for their diners, as the products ensures ultimate washroom cleanliness.

The motion-sensitive enMotion paper dispenser is preferable to air-dryers, as paper towels are the only method that reduces bacteria on hands. Research proved that while paper hand towels reduce bacteria on hands by 77%, other drying methods were increasing them by up to 254%[6] .

Keeping a soft ambience is also important in maintaining a satisfying experience.

By producing less noise than the louder jet and warm air-dryers which can prove disruptive in restaurants and cafes, products like the enMotion paper towel dispenser are ideal for preserving a quiet environment.

In many ways the washrooms provide the public a window into the overall management and cleanliness of the establishment, so ensuring the facilities are 'kitted out' with the most innovative and advanced washroom products not only warrants maximum hygiene, but can also go a long way to ensure that customers keep coming back.

For more information on improving your workplaces and washrooms, talk to Lotus Professional® on +44114 285 6666 or visit www.lotusprofessional.eu.

[1] http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthissues/foodpoisoning/abugslife/ 

[2] http://www.nextgenerationfood.com/article/Food-hygiene-solutions-to-go/ 

[3] Internal research conducted in European countries. Statistics based on comparison against a traditional centrefeed system.  

[4] http://www.who.int/patientsafety/events/05/HH_en.pdf

[5] according to the definition given by the regulation EC n° 935/2004 of the European Parliament and Council of the 24th October 2004

[6] Research study conducted by the university of Westminster (Great Britain), November 2008