Why Proper Food Handling is Important in an Illinois Restaurant

It is clear that most restaurants rely on their food to maintain a profitable business. So, if something goes wrong with the food, the business might suffer. Damaged food may also lead to damaged customers. Poor food services could spread illness or injury to a restaurant’s customers.

For this reason, most restaurants carry business liability insurance. Liability coverage may help if a restaurant’s operations cause harm to a third party, like a customer. This coverage can often protect the business from significant financial losses. Nonetheless, restaurant owners can take steps to protect their food from liability claims.

Why Restaurants Need Liability Coverage

A restaurant serves customers on a daily basis. This means that there is a lot of traffic at the restaurant, and a lot of product going out the door. Sometimes, even accidentally, the food or services of the business could harm a diner.

A customer may develop food poisoning as a result of contaminated or spoiled food. The customer may sue the business or request compensation for the financial loss caused by this illness.

In such situations, liability coverage may help the business fight legal claims or compensate the injured party. Should the harmed party die, liability coverage may help pay for funeral or other final expenses.

How Food Can Harm Customers

Should a restaurant improperly handle its food, it might cause food safety issues. It may not be safe for customers to consume improperly handled food

For example, food spoilage due to poor refrigeration might cause contamination of meats, vegetables and dairy. Such contamination may lead to illness risks for diners.

Additionally, cross-contamination may arise in cases of improper storage or preparation. Should cross-contaminated food reach diners, it may cause problems. Let’s say that you season a steak on the same board you used to chop peanuts. You then serve the steak to a customer with a nut allergy.

Your improper handling of this steak may have led to cross contamination. It may cause an allergic reaction for the customer. This may lead to costly medical intervention. The customer may sue your restaurant. This is where liability coverage might step in.

Improving Food Handling and Storage

Restaurants should carefully store and handle their products. Doing so can keep diners safe and reduce liability risks. Proper storage mechanisms include separating and isolating foods that risk cross contamination. Furthermore, use proper humidity and refrigeration settings to keep food fresher.

Periodically inspect and throw out potentially-contaminated food. As always, enforce food sanitation practices in your establishment.

Need restaurant insurance? Call Buschbach Insurance Agency, Inc. at 708.423.2350 for a fast, free policy quote today.

Also read how Employee Food Handling Can Reduce Liabilities and how to Reduce Burn Risks in Restaurants