Sanitised truth

The reports regarding faecal bacteria being found in ice from three of the UK’S biggest coffee chains will have produced a collective shudder from all of us who read it.

In recent years there has been greatly heightened awareness in the NHS, public and private sector businesses and with the general public of the importance of hand hygiene to prevent sickness and absenteeism.

Accordingly, there has been a most welcome rise in urging employees to wash their hands and use sanitation products to keep both yourself and those you are in contact with safe from the spread of viruses.

The story, however, shows the dangers that lurk when hand hygiene is not taken seriously.

As a procurement specialist who sources products for the food and drink industry in Scotland, research shows that when soap and water aren’t available, nothing is more effective than scrubbing hands clean of germs and bacteria with hand sanitiser.

Cover all surfaces of both hands and rub together thoroughly for 30 seconds, allow to dry and your hands will be germ and bacteria free. It’s

also more effective than warm air hand dryers. Horrifically, statistics show 110 per cent more germs on your hands after using one of these dryers as opposed to paper towels.

Hopefully, these shocking headlines will mean more people will make a conscious effort to keep germs at bay and ensure our iced lattes only contain caffeine from now on.

CYNTHIA GUTHRIE Joint Managing Director

Guthrie Group Drummond Square, Livingston