Check for certificates, hot food and other evidence for a clear bill of health.
Usually, going out for a meal is a pleasure. You get to order your favorite dish, perhaps enjoy some good company and someone else cleans up afterwards. But it can all turn nasty in an instant if you contract food poisoning.
While not the norm, it isn’t really completely uncommon either. Here are 5 tips to consider for a safer restaurant experience, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC).
1) He Shoots, He Scores! Check Them!
Nothing says ‘honesty’ like an evaluation. If you’re concerned about an establishment’s record, check its inspection scores. Check for it online, or ask to see it in person.
2) Look For Certificates
Kitchen managers need to complete food safety training. Look for proof.
Related: According to Food Nutrition Experts, These Are 4 Foods to Eat Everyday
3) Ask Yourself, ‘Is This Food Hot?’
Your food should be served hot, if it’s cooked. If it’s not, it could have been sitting around for a while collecting germs or breeding bacteria. If the hot food at the salad bar isn’t steaming, it could be best to avoid it.
4) Check for Gloves
Is someone preparing your food with their hands? Like, making a sandwich? Make sure they’re wearing protective gloves, and changing them when needed.
5) Be Kind to Your Leftovers
The best restaurant in the business can still give you a queasy stomach if you eat contaminated leftovers. Always ensure that you refrigerate your leftovers within the first hour or two upon leaving the restaurant, (definitely the first hour if it’s hot outside), and that you eat them within 3 to 4 days. No week-old reheated nachos, bro.
