• Face masks and body shrouds help promote a sterile food environment.after image by DXfoto.com from Fotolia.com
  
  Proper handling of food and general food safety are important issues affecting restaurants and food facilities. Among the options for increasing food safety is the use of body shrouds and face masks. Shrouds are used to cover the exposed areas on your body. Face masks cover the respiratory areas, preventing airborne pathogens from contaminating the food.
  
  

Limit Contamination

• With all food preparation there is the risk of accidental contamination. Contamination can come as a result of transferring hair, dirt or in more serious cases E. coli from an individual's clothes to the food. Shrouds cover a person's body, maintaining a sterile environment for food. Face masks work to contain the respiratory pathogens that transfer to food through coughing and have been relied on to prevent the spread of illnesses such as the flu and bronchitis. According to the CDC, respiratory pathogens entering food sources is among the leading causes of gastrointestinal illnesses.
  
  

Inexpensive

• Both body shrouds and face masks are relatively inexpensive safeguards for maintaining hygiene around food. Companies can purchase shrouds and face masks in bulk orders, which lowers the cost. The shroud and mask also are designed to be disposed of after they have been used, which means there are no cleaning costs.
  
  

Easy to Use

• Both body shrouds and face masks come ready to use and sterile from manufacturers . The proper use of these protective measures is straightforward and easy for individuals to grasp. Employees can wear most shrouds over their regular clothes, making it easy to change into. Both the face mask and shroud also function to remind workers that they are tasked with maintaining a sterile environment.