Choosing a Disinfectant for Your Food Service Outlet

The disinfectant should be effective against COVID-19, S. aureus, Salmonella and other microbial threats. This is especially important in food service outlets where contact and cross-contamination are very likely. This way, you, the staff and customers will always be protected from the alarming threats.

Choosing a disinfectant for your food service outlet

The disinfectant should also be applicable on various surfaces such as steel, plastic, metal and glass without causing any undesirable or adverse effects on those surfaces. Also, it should be somehow cost-effective as we now regularly need to disinfect surfaces especially those high-touch areas (e.g. door knobs, tables, seats, faucets, taps, sinks).

It’s also crucial that the disinfectant is fast-acting. This way the microbes will be immediately killed and we minimise the threat. For this, there are products that ensure 99% disinfection within 60 seconds (and then wipe off the surface). That contact and exposure time is vital to killing the germs on that surface.

Notice that the mentioned requirements and standards above seem to be hospital-grade. It’s exactly the case because surfaces in restaurants, cafes, bakeries and other food service outlets could easily facilitate the spread of germs. In those establishments it’s crucial to prevent the spread of the germs in the first place.

Aside from those high standards, it’s also important that the disinfectant or any other cleaning product you use has a minimal environmental impact. After all, we will be doing the disinfection regularly to ensure ongoing protection against microbes. As a result, it’s important that the disinfectant is environment-friendly and has a non-toxic formula. The product should be safe to use as well on food processing areas. This way there will be no danger both to the people and the environment.

Here at Kent Paper, we have here safe and environment-friendly disinfectants and cleaning products for food service outlets. For more information, you can start browsing this page and read the corresponding Safety Data Sheets.

Smart Ways to Make Your Restaurant Greener – and More Profitable Too

It was not that long ago that restaurant owners had to make a choice between boosting profits and reducing their environmental footprints. Those restaurant owners knew that going green was the right thing to do, but they also knew that the chefs, servers, hosts, dishwashers and other staff members relied on the business to make a living and put food on their own tables.

That dichotomy between environmental responsibility and profitability was a real stumbling block, but it is being broken down with every passing day. Green products no longer come with a price premium, and restaurant owners can find environmentally friendly packaging materials, takeaway containers and other great products, all at an affordable price.

Whether your restaurant or café is a brand new one or has been in business for years, there are plenty of ways to incorporate environmental sustainability into your everyday operations. If you do it right, you can enjoy a greener work environment – and put more green in your wallet. Here are some practical tips to get you started.

.   Never sacrifice quality construction for sustainability. A green takeaway container will do your customers no good if it falls apart halfway home. Choosing environmentally friendly takeaway containers made with recycled materials is great, but those takeaway containers still need to be up to the task.

.   Offer repeat customers a discount for reusing their old takeaway containers. If you offer takeout service, encourage customers to bring back and reuse your takeaway containers. You will save money, and so will your customers.

.   Educate your customers. You do not want to hit your customers over the head with green materials, but an attractive display at the counter or by the door is a nice touch.

.   Choose serving materials and takeaway containers that are attractive, high quality and environmentally friendly. Getting this trifecta of value is not as hard as you think, so shop carefully and choose items that reflect your high quality standard and your proud commitment to the environment.

.   Change up your takeaway containers and other environmentally sustainable materials to keep your café or restaurant looking fresh. While utility is certainly important, every takeaway container you give out, every plate on your table and every recycled placemat is a direct reflection of your business.

.   Use your sustainable takeaway containers and packaging materials to advertise your restaurant and bring in more business. Printing your address and phone number on the packaging and including your logo and perhaps a QR code can bring you more business and help spread the word about your eatery.

.   Choose insulated takeaway containers for hot and cold dishes. You want the great food you serve to arrive at your customers’ homes just as delicious as when it left. Using insulated takeaway containers will make reserving easier and reduce food waste as well.

.   Train your staff to choose the appropriate size and the right packaging materials. You always want to use the smallest size takeaway containers and the least amount of packaging possible, so train your staff, and then give them the freedom to use their own discretion and common sense.

Running a restaurant is no easy feat in today’s environment, but choosing green and environmentally sustainable packaging materials and takeaway containers can improve your business and even boost your profits. Far from being a drain on profitability, going green is actually good for business, so there is no reason not to make the switch.

 What Type of Disposable Coffee Cup should you choose

Presentation is important when it comes to the cafe business. You want to serve your customers with a smile and give them a quality product that they will want to come back for time and time again. Part of this presentation involves the type of packaging you choose.

If you are a cafe owner, you know the importance of having the best coffee cups for your hot drinks and beverages. Choosing the right coffee cups that present your cafe in the best way is not always easy. There are many types of disposable coffee cups from which to choose.

Types of Disposable Coffee Cups

Here are some of the most popular types of disposable coffee cups that you can choose from for your cafe.

• Ripple Wrap coffee cups– Ripple Wrap cups are made of smooth rolled rims and coated with a heat resistant liner to protect the temperature of the coffee. These types of cups provide maximum insulation while creating an attractive way to serve coffee to your customers. If done correctly, they are perfectly aligned with the lids to prevent the cover slipping off which can be a danger to customers.
• Double Wall Coffee cups– Double wall cups are double insulated from both sides to provide the best insulation possible for your hot drinks. They have a smooth service rather than a rippled service like the ripple wrap cups.
• Single Wall coffee cups– Single wall coffee cups have one layer of cardboard rather than two, but they still provide maximum insulation for your hot coffee and drinks.

There are other types of drinking cups available from packaging companies, but these are three of the most popular types that you may want to consider. The kind of cups you will need will be determined by how hot the liquid is that you are serving as well as how you want to include your branding on the cups.

Ripple Wrap cups may be a bit harder to put your branding on, while the double or single wall cups have a smooth service that is easy to brand. You will want to think about using double wall cups if you serve extremely hot coffee or liquid that could burn someone when they take it from you. You may also want to consider adding coffee sleeves for added protection.

Focusing on Presentation

When you serve coffee in your cafe, you want customers to get the best impression possible of your cafe or restaurant. Your packaging is just one part of this presentation, but it is an important part. Of equal importance are your attitude and the way that you greet customers, so make sure and remember to smile when you serve their hot cup of joe.

Your business is dependent upon thinking ahead, planning for the future, and having ample supply if your demand suddenly steps up. It’s best to purchase extra coffee cups and other paper packaging items if you think that your crowd could grow soon. After all, that’s what you want, right?

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Why Your Restaurant Should Switch to Eco-Friendly Takeaway Food Containers

More and more restaurant owners decide to go green to help our planet. Takeaway food containers are usually made of Styrofoam, a material that has a negative effect on health and the environment. As awareness about our planet’s problems is growing, many restaurants decide to use more eco-friendly materials to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

Dangers of Styrofoam

Styrofoam is used widely in industry due to its lightness and insular properties. It is employed in the food sector, construction, and to protect fragile objects during shipping. However, the toll it takes on people’s health and the environment outweighs the benefits.

Styrofoam was invented in 1941 for the Dow Building Solutions. It is manufactured from polystyrene, a petroleum-based plastic, and its production involves the release of huge quantities of toxic substances. Worse still, Styrofoam hardly ever biodegrades. Cleveland State University estimates that it takes more than a million years to decompose. In California, only 1% of Styrofoam is recycled.

Styrofoam tends to break into small pieces which can be eaten by animals. This results in blockage of their stomachs, which leads to starvation. Styrofoam can get washed to the sea and accumulate there. Due to its porous nature, it easily absorbs carcinogenic substances such as DDT. This phenomenon is harmful not only to sea animals, but because toxic substances tend to accumulate in the food chain, they may end up in people’s stomachs as well.

Styrofoam carries many health risks. According to the National Toxicological Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, styrene, one of Styrofoam’s components, was linked to occurrences of leukemia and lymphoma. Toxic chemicals from Styrofoam can leak into food and beverages in small quantities, especially if food is reheated in a Styrofoam container.

Alternatives

Not all plastics are bad. There are many biodegradable and recyclable plastic takeaway food containers that may be a viable alternative for Styrofoam. Carbon dioxide used in manufacturing these plastics is a more eco-friendly option than petrochemicals used for producing Styrofoam. Surprisingly, some plastic containers can take up less energy to produce than paper ones.

Plant-based food containers are usually fully biodegradable and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the production of plant-based food containers is already saving 300 million gallons of petroleum a year (an equivalent of removing 200,000 cars from the road).

Many restaurants offer discounts to customers who bring their own reusable food containers. This is the most eco-friendly option.

Switching to eco-friendly takeaway food containers can make a difference for the future of our planet. In addition, showing to your customers that your brand takes environmental concerns seriously can go a long way towards improving your restaurant’s image. Are you ready to make the switch?

Transitioning Your Cafe From Summer to Winter

Cooler temperatures are on the horizon, which means that it’s time to transition your cafe’s product offerings, decor, and service to the upcoming winter season. Winter is a great time of year for coffee shops, as customers are craving warm drinks and comfortable shelter from the outdoors. By taking advantage of the extra demand in the Autumn and winter, you can increase your business and really put your cafe on the map. Here are some subtle but effective ways to transition your cafe in the cooler months.

Switch up your drink menu.

A subtle switch in your drink menu that incorporates decidedly wintry flavors is a great way to appeal to customers. Creativity and individuality make a big difference, so don’t be afraid to invent something new. In particular, apple and pear flavors are popular in the wintertime, but there are plenty of other ingredients you could use as well. In addition to coffee drinks, try incorporating tea and hot chocolates – both popular warm-weather flavors.

Change your product packaging.

Switching up your packaging is a simple way to liven up your cafe as the temperatures drop. Just offering coffee cups and napkins with a new color or pattern can set the tone for the new season. You’ll also want to consider the way your products are presented in your display – adding a winter feel to your pastry display or even your menu board is charming and fun, and shows off your businesses’ personality.

Introduce season-specific promotions or events.

Draw in new customers as the weather gets cold with new promotions. Introduce a sale promoting new products or services, or you could even develop a loyalty program that encourages customers to return multiple times throughout the season to be rewarded. If you want your cafe to be a gathering place for the community, you could also plan some events to encourage visitors to stop by. For example, you could host performances by local musicians or poets, set up a networking event for local professionals, or host tastings to allow customers to try a full variety of coffee brews.

Make your environment more comfortable.

As the weather cools off, you’ll want to make your cafe feel warm and cozy to balance out the change of season. Start turning your heat on during cold times of day – it’ll attract people in from outside. Install light bulbs with a warm, cozy glow that will make visitors want to stay in from the rain and gloom. If you have couches in your cafe, accessorize them with comfy blankets and pillows. These small changes can actually make a huge difference when it comes to the overall feel of your cafe.

Pair hearty snacks and pastries with your drinks.

To go with your new drink menu, try introducing a few seasonal pastries or other food items as well. Richer flavors are more satisfying when the weather cools off, so go for items like cakes, muffins, and cookies, as well as hearty soups and sandwiches. You can even decorate your pastries with seasonal themes for a fun twist, or introduce promotions to encourage the sale of food with a drink.

Let us know how you prepare your cafe for the winter months in the comments below!