Takeouts have been popular for many years. Why? For one, it’s a great way to eat food you’ve been craving for without needing to go to your favorite restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. Second, busy people often don’t have time to go out and eat or cook food at home so being able to order takeout can be a literal lifesaver. Third, having takeout services has helped many food establishments stay open even during the pandemic. But now that takeouts are more popular than ever, is it really safe to eat them during the pandemic?
In a time where it is especially crucial to stay healthy and safe from the virus that is spreading all over the world, it’s only natural to question the safety of ordering takeout. Listed below are some of the questions you might be asking:
- Can I get infected by ordering takeout?
Since the virus is spread from human-to-human contact through droplets resulting from an infected person’s cough or sneeze, you might be worried about interacting with the delivery person. One way to get around this dilemma is by opting for cashless payment and curbside pick-up as this minimizes close contact. Restaurants in Ford Lauderdale also have protocols prohibiting sick employees from working along with a whole lot of sanitation practices, so you can rest assured that your food will be safe to eat.
- What about the packaging?
According to the CDC, there is a very low chance of getting infected from food packaging. To keep your chances of not getting infected high, always follow good hand hygiene. Once you receive your order, take the food out of the packaging and transfer them on clean containers or plates. Afterward, dispose of the packaging and wash your hands before eating.
- Can the virus spread through the food itself?
Restaurants have always adhered to safe food-handling hygiene protocols to ensure that their customers eat clean food. Some of these protocols include not going to work when feeling sick as well as wearing protective gear and keeping hands clean while handling food. The kitchen itself is kept immaculate at all times. During this pandemic, these protocols are ramped up to ensure that the food stays clean. Even so, there is currently no evidence that the virus causing COVID-19 can spread to people through food according to the CDC. So, your takeout food is pretty much safe to eat.
- Is there anything I can do to minimize my risk of getting infected?
If you want to feel more comfortable about what you are ordering, you can call the restaurant and ask them what they are doing to protect you from the virus. You can ask about their sanitation and food handling protocols. You can also check their website to see if they have posted their protocols there. Another thing you can do is to use your own cutlery or ask that they give you pre-packed utensils. And although you might be tempted to do it, don’t sanitize the food packaging because the chemicals might get into the food inside and that can be more harmful to your health. Lastly, always wash your hands after handling anything that has come into contact with another person.
Here at Tower Deli, we assure you that we are practicing good food handling hygiene and we make sure that all employees who come to work are not sick. We prepare your food safely and meticulously to ensure that you remain safe and healthy. So, order from our restaurant today! For a large group, we also provide catering in Fort Lauderdale.
