processing equipment using drawings, the
maintenance staff, and actual equipment to
determine areas of the equipment are con-
tributing to high bacterial counts. The areas
most vulnerable are under belts, interlock
belts, frameworks, and drains.
Total Solutions Approach
Sanitation operations, personnel hygiene
programs, record keeping, and compliance
requirements should be reassessed constantly
(Anon., 2003). Proactive planning is essential
through maintaining knowledge of new tech-
nologies (i.e., potential multiple intervention
strategies through food contact surface treat-
ments, computerized CIP systems, and auto-
mated formulation and dispensing of cleaning
and sanitizing compounds).
Public Relations Considerations
Managers must understand the principles
of public relations and constantly practice
them in the course of executing a food sani-
tation program. They must interpret the pro-
gram’s needs and objectives and to motivate
people to cooperate. Food sanitarians
should acquire and apply basic public rela-
tions skills. Whenever a food sanitarian
makes recommendations, the operating costs
are frequently increased. Selling the need for
and benefits of such recommendations is a
public relations challenge.
The mass media can be the sanitarian’s
most important tool in communicating and
marketing the hygienic concept. A relation-
ship with news reporters should permit a free
exchange of information and create an
atmosphere of mutual understanding. It is
highly desirable to stress improvements,
achievements, new programs, appointments,
promotions, and similar developments.
These practices promote better understand-
ing and an appreciation of the program by
everyone concerned: the public, the food
industry, and food sanitation personnel.
Sanitarians should have a practical under-
standing of the fundamentals of human
motivation. It is more productive to work
with groups than with individuals. Food san-
itarians should recognize that there is more
to their duties and responsibilities than mak-
ing inspections. They can find that other
types of activities are also productive and
rewarding-for example, taking the necessary
time to talk to a class or civic group, prepar-
ing news announcements, participating in
radio or TV programs, and designing educa-
tional material. The promotion and interpre-
tation of food sanitation needs and goals can
often be more easily accomplished when
understood and supported by community
leaders or civic groups.Cooperation with Other Agencies
Joint regulatory/industry advisory com-
mittees have frequently provided valuable
assistance in the evaluation of new develop-
ments, techniques, and procedures. Con-
sumers can also be represented on these
advisory committees, which may be helpful
in counseling on broad policy matters and in
establishing and maintaining wholesome
industry and regulatory agency relation-
ships. Benefits accrue to all through cooper-
ative efforts.Job Enrichment
Many employees, including managers and
supervisors, consider the sanitation opera-
tion to be a second-rate job. Yet, sanitation
workers should be aware of the importance
of their responsibilities. Sanitation can be
glamorized and made more exciting. An
effective job enrichment program can create
more interesting and rewarding work for
employees. This program can also make
them feel more a part of the operation and
can actually be more demanding of employ-
ees by assigning them more responsibilities
and emphasizing self-inspection.Management and Sanitation 399