Food Safety Education: Why Handwashing Is Important

Food Safety Education
FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition	September 1998^*	USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service

HERE'S WHY HANDWASHING IS IMPORTANT

Children in diapers present special challenges for other children and as well as for child care providers. According to some studies:

Diarrhea is 30 percent more common in day care children than children cared for at home and, day care workers have higher rates of diarrheal illness.

WHEN TO WASH?

Key items for staff AND children include:

IN THE BATHROOM

AFTER using toilet
AFTER changing diapers, (remember to wash the hands of the diapered child too!)
AFTER helping a child at the toilet
WHENEVER hands come in contact with body fluids, including vomit, saliva and runny noses

IN THE KITCHEN

BEFORE fixing or eating food
AFTER touching raw meat, poultry, fish or eggs
AFTER meals and snacks

Remedies
Handwashing is key. Diarrheal outbreaks could be cut in half by requiring staff to wash their hands -- and the child's hands -- after changing diapers.

^* Distributed July 1998 for use in September 1998 as part of the International Food Safety Council's National Food Safety Education Month.

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