Environmental Health Update: Hand Hygiene – the Hidden Hero
Hand Hygiene: The Hidden Hero of Food Safety
When it comes to food safety, hand washing is one of the most critical—and often overlooked—practices. Whether it's before putting on gloves, after handling raw ingredients, or between tasks, proper hand hygiene is essential. Yet, it's surprising how often we observe staff skipping this vital step or not doing it thoroughly enough.
Bad habits can creep in unnoticed, especially in busy kitchens. That’s why we regularly talk to food handlers about the importance of hand washing—not just as a routine, but as a frontline defence against illness.
Why It Matters
Poor hand hygiene can lead to the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses. Contaminated hands are a major pathway for diseases like:
Gastrointestinal infections (e.g., salmonellosis, E. coli infection)
Respiratory illnesses (e.g., colds, influenza, COVID-19)
These aren’t just theoretical risks. Our routine food sampling from randomly selected premises sometimes reveals marginal or unsatisfactory bacterial levels, often a red flag for poor food handling or hygiene practices.
What We’re Finding
One of the most concerning indicators is the presence of E. coli in food samples. This bacterium is associated with faecal contamination, which can come from either the food itself or the person preparing it. Since E. coli is easily killed by proper cooking and removed through cleaning and hand washing, its presence suggests a breakdown in basic hygiene or cooking processes.
What We’re Doing
E. coli should never be present in cooked food. Its detection means something went wrong: either the food wasn’t cooked properly, or it was contaminated after cooking.
That’s why during our routine inspections, we focus on:
Correct cooking temperatures
Effective cleaning and sanitising
Consistent hand-washing practices
We’re not just ticking boxes—we’re working to build awareness and change habits. Because when it comes to food safety, clean hands aren’t optional. They’re essential.
Clean hands save lives—and keep our food safe.
Learn more at:
Handwashing - Why it's important | Better Health Channel (LINK: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/handwashing-why-its-important)
E. coli infection - symptoms and treatment | healthdirect (LINK: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/e-coli-infection)
If you need further guidance or support, contact Council’s Environmental Health team on 03 9747 7200 or health@melton.vic.gov.au