#FoodSafety #HealthDepartment #OSHA #SaladStorage
Oh man, that does not sound good at all 😳. It’s great that you’re taking this seriously and looking for the best way to handle the situation! Your manager is definitely in the wrong on this one, and you’re right to be concerned about the potential health risks. Let’s break it down and figure out the best next steps for you to take.
First off, leaving bags of salads with dressing out in carts all day and night without refrigeration is a big no-no when it comes to food safety. The warm temperatures and lack of refrigeration create the perfect environment for bacteria, including E. coli, to grow rapidly on the lettuce 🥗. Consuming contaminated lettuce can cause serious illness, and in severe cases, it can even be life-threatening.
As for the out-of-date and reduced bagged salads, that’s another red flag. The expiration date on food is there for a reason, and consuming expired products can pose serious health risks. The fact that your manager is okay with this and isn’t taking proper precautions is really concerning.
And the bleach in the sink of water full of tomatoes? Yikes. Not only is that a potential health hazard, but it’s also a violation of food safety regulations. Bleach should never come into contact with food items, especially produce that’s meant to be consumed raw. This can cause chemical contamination and put customers at risk.
In terms of your next steps, it’s important to address this issue as soon as possible. Going to the owners of the business would be a good start, especially since it’s a small business recently bought by two brothers. They may not be aware of what’s going on in the produce department, so bringing it to their attention could prompt them to take action. Be sure to approach the situation calmly and professionally, presenting your concerns and providing specific examples of the unsafe practices you’ve observed.
If the owners are unresponsive or fail to take action to rectify the situation, then seeking intervention from OSHA and the health department would be a necessary step. These regulatory agencies are responsible for ensuring workplace safety and adherence to food safety standards, so they would be able to investigate the situation and enforce any necessary regulations or penalties.
When you report the issue to OSHA or the health department, be sure to provide detailed information about the unsafe practices you’ve witnessed, as well as any specific instances or evidence you have to support your claims. This will help them to understand the severity of the situation and take appropriate action to address it.
It’s always tough to navigate these kinds of situations in the workplace, especially when it involves reporting a superior or going over someone’s head. But when it comes to the health and safety of both employees and customers, it’s crucial to speak up and advocate for proper protocols to be followed.
Remember, your concerns are valid, and addressing them can prevent potential health risks and ensure the proper handling of food products in the store. It’s commendable that you’re taking the initiative to address this issue, and your actions could ultimately prevent harm to others.
In the meantime, if you’re ever unsure about the safety of a food product or the practices being followed in the workplace, don’t hesitate to reach out to the appropriate regulatory agencies or seek advice from food safety professionals. Your commitment to upholding food safety standards speaks volumes about your dedication to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for everyone.
I hope this advice helps you navigate the situation you’re facing. Stay proactive and remember that your actions could make a significant impact in creating a safer work environment. Best of luck in addressing this issue, and kudos to you for taking a stand for food safety! 🌿🚫🚰🍅✅
Ew. Dressing can also have dairy in it, so it should be kept cool. You should contact the health department, I’m sure they have an anonymous tipline.
He’s definitely wrong and needs to get his food handlers permit renewed.
Uuuuuhh, how much bleach exactly are we talking about ? A small bit of bleach in a sink full of water is no consequence but if he’s dumping a whole bottle in the sink…
“Temp” one of them, show him the result. There are pretty clear guidelines for acceptable internal temperatures for RTE products, at least in the USA.
All of these can be added to a written anonymous complaint to whichever entity certifies food safety in your area.
It’s not a problem because he doesn’t plan on eating any of it
Yup he’s 💯wrong. He also seems like a useless tool to me.
Go to the county Health Department. Things that are supposed to be chilled or frozen need to remain in that state until the customer selects and purchases them. And bleaching the tomato water is not safe either.
If your manager had food safety management training (which he would need in the US to manage such a position) he would know that pre-cut veggies is the absolute #1 cause of food-borne illness.
Report to the health department asap
Health department
This somehow reminds me of an old story where the manager shut off the refrigerators overnight to save energy… Because it only has to cool if the buyers see it’s right?
I don’t think you’re supposed to pour bleach over food that will be eaten. Especially not in a restaurant. Someone will get sick or worse.
Anonymous report. This is so bad.
You should probably also look for another job.
Health department, OSHA stat. He’s going to make someone very sick
Ask the health department. I’m sure they’ll give him the right answer when they arrive.
Bleached tomatoes. Omg.
You should report it anonymously. Because at some point somebody’s going to get sick or will die and the place will be shut down anyway and then the authorities will ask you if you knew about it.
Don’t tell anybody what your plans are. Just let the health inspector know. cover yourself and save all documentation.
Holy shit lol. I’ve seen some vile things working in kitchens but the bleach/water mix for tomatoes kills me. Cross contamination gives me major ick but when it’s with chemicals that’s a whole other thing. I physically shuddered lol.
You should hold your breath in this place. GTFO now
Hi, health department employee here. He is very wrong.
Report him to the health dept. He’s going to make people sick..
The bleach on tomatoes is what really concerns me here. Dude is gonna kill someone
Call ecolab as an anonymous caller. They’ll do a surprise walk through. The place will most likely be temp closed for that kind of food handling. Like thats horrifying. Especially with the bleach, its not allowed around food at all!
> He also pours bleach into the sink of water full of tomatoes before they are chopped for salsa
like he pours bleach on top of the tomatoes?
and no one died yet?
If you don’t mind sharing location, we can actually report for you. As a customer, I am Sickened by what I saw in your store. Anonymous doesn’t matter when you’re not the one to report🤷♂️
If not(understandable cuz the internet is crazy), the USDA would love to hear from you, and have an anonymous line.
USDA OIG(office of inspector general): 800-424-9121
Please make the call, if nothing else. You may literally save people’s lives
*Edit OSHA is more concerned with worker safety. You’re issue involves customer safety, which means you need the USDA
That’s why my fucking salads go slimy in 6hrs after getting home.
Yeah, I’d document and send it to osha and the health department. They’re going to get people sick or dead.
As someone who’s also worked in a produce department, your manager is a complete fucking idiot. As others have said, an anonymous complaint to your health department is the best way to handle this I think.
The unrefrigerated dressing may be a food **safety** issue, the unrefrigerated salad is itself at the very least a food **quality** issue.
I would job hunt because this place is not well run. I also would report him.
Former produce putter outer man.
Your boss needs someone to secretly call the health department.
The health department needs to send a brute who enjoys yelling, someone who thinks they’re Gordon Ramsay.
Call the health department. Spoiled food is no joke.
I’m not sure if it’s against any health code but it’s **fucking gross**. Customers would think it’s a big deal. I’m already paying way too much for the salad, I don’t want limp colorless lettuce on it.
Pics, video, and anonymous reporting.
He’s wrong that a temp controlled item and will get him sued and fired if anyone is dumb enough to eat it and get food poisoning
This is awful. I’m pregnant and something like this could lead to an infection that could cause me to miscarry. I trust grocery stores to sell me safe food, and this ain’t that. Please report to whoever
The health department would shut him down and file criminal charges if they knew and had proof
He’s so fucking wrong. Someone will get sick, die, a lawsuit or your place will get shut down. Find somewhere else ro work and notify the health department.
He’s soaking tomatoes in bleach water? And he doesn’t measure out the bleach?
First off, no. The concentration of bleach used on food surfaces can’t be more than 50ppm IIRC. And that’s on surfaces! Not on actual food!
Health Department, STAT!