COVID-19 is presenting new challenges to businesses throughout the country, and restaurants in particular have had to rethink their business model to try to remain viable. Some have closed temporarily, while others have focused on takeout and delivery.
Many restaurants have used takeout and delivery services for some time, though others may find the switch more challenging. Regardless, if a business is offering food for takeout or delivery by a third party, it’s important to follow proper hygiene practices, including washing hands and surfaces regularly to minimize risk.
On its website, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that “there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19.” The real risk comes from the person handling food or delivering to a customer. Although most restaurants continue to follow employee health policies and local health department recommendations, delivery drivers are the biggest concern. Regardless, customers are still looking to restaurant owners for assurance that their food is safe.
Person-to-person transmission is the main way COVID-19 is spread, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Third-party delivery services have gone on record saying they are working on best practices, including leaving food on a porch or doorstep and encouraging or requiring touch-free and cashless transactions. Several are providing hand sanitizer and gloves, as well as disinfectant wipes and cleaners, to their couriers.
Based on a 2017 study from US Foods, a major health concern with food deliveries is tampering. Since that study’s publishing, many restaurants have started using stickers or labels over their food containers, bags and boxes to make it clear if someone has tried to open them.
DayMark Safety Systems offers TamperSeal™ labels as a way to secure delivered food and provide customers with peace of mind. TamperSeal labels feature security slits that cause the label to lose its integrity if someone attempts to open the container. If the seal is broken upon delivery, it is a clear indication that the food may have been tampered with.
Tamper-evident labels ensure that food is appropriately labeled and handled during delivery, using strong adhesive to keep the label attached to the package. TamperSeal labels are printed using DayMark’s MenuPilot® platform and can include information such as a company logo, a web address, safe handling instructions, date and time the food was prepared, marketing material and nutritional and other customized information.
Given the amount of anxiety in the current climate, customers need to know they can trust their favorite local restaurants. Enhancing the safety and security of their food delivery services is an important component of earning that trust.
This post is sponsored by DayMark Safety Systems