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Issue Number: Council III 002
Title
Issue you would like the Conference to consider
The 2010-2012 Hand Hygiene Committee submits "Scientific, Regulatory and Behavioral Considerations of Hand Hygiene Regimes." This was extracted from the 2010-2012 Hand Hygiene Committee Report, modified and formatted for publication in a peer reviewed journal and for potential posting on the CFP website after publication. Authors include Chairs and Co-chairs of the 2010-2012 Hand Hygiene Sub-committees, and the acknowledgement section recognizes committee members.
Public Health Significance
The main purpose of washing hands is to cleanse the hands of soil, pathogens and chemicals that can potentially cause disease. Transmission of pathogenic bacteria, viruses and parasites to food from contaminated surfaces, raw food or ill workers by way of improperly washed hands continues to be a major factor in the spread of foodborne illnesses.
Effective decision-making on appropriate approaches for removal or reduction of potential pathogens from hands involves consideration of the scientific aspects on what can be achieved, regulatory aspects of approaches that are approved for use, and behavioral aspects of approaches that will be implemented by food handlers. Concise information on each of these elements is not currently available in one document, thus broad dissemination of such information would enable all stake holders to make better informed decisions on hand hygiene approaches, as well as identifying areas where research is needed.
The 2010-2012 Hand Hygiene Committee also believes that listing the Committee as a co-author would make a broader audience aware of the collaborative nature of the work of the Conference for Food Protection, potentially recruiting more food safety professionals to become involved in CFP work to enhance public health.
Recommended Solution: The Conference recommends...
Approval of the document generated by the Committee titled: Scientific Regulatory and Behavioral Considerations of Hand Hygiene Regimes, and:
- Submission to a peer reviewed journal, with the 2010-2012 Hand Hygiene Committee listed as a co-author, to make a broader audience aware of the collaborative nature of the work of the Conference for Food Protection.
- Posting the document on the CFP website as an educational tool that illustrates the interaction of scientific, regulatory and behavioral considerations related to alternative hand hygiene regimes compared to handwashing with respect to foodborne pathogens including viruses. When and if the document is accepted in a peer reviewed journal, request to replace the current document with the peer reviewed version.
Attachments:
See Report - (document attached to Issue titled: Report - Hand Hygiene Committee, as Attachment #2)