We serve as a trusted resource for the latest news and helpful information related to skin health and surface hygiene advancements. GOJO microbiologists, scientists,
nurses and other professionals post regularly
and we also get the views of outside experts and
thought leaders in the field. It’s all part of the
GOJO Purpose, Saving Lives and Making Lives Better Through Well-Being Solutions.
Demo Shows It's Time to Ditch the Red Bucket
8/29/2023
By Gina Beans
Research Scientist, GOJO Industries
Spills happen in foodservice establishments. Constantly. So, there is no use crying over them, right? Well, in many cases, they're then dealt with by staff doing their best to wipe up with a reusable cloth and a red bucket filled with sanitizer solution. But this common practice could actually be spreading the mess further, potentially even compromising cleanliness and the well-being of guests and customers.
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Danger! Decoding EPA Toxicity Ratings and Precautionary Statements on Surface Product Labels
7/27/2023
By Matt Witten
Senior Total Solutions Director, GOJO Industries
You may be surprised to learn that many common surface disinfectants have some pretty alarming statements on their labels. Check a few labels next time you are at the store, and you will notice words like “CAUTION,” “WARNING,” or even “DANGER.” But who determines these signal words, and what level of risk is associated with each? Most importantly, how could those risks affect the people in your facilities?
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Understanding the Food Safety Risks with Reusable Wiping Cloths and the “Red Bucket”
7/11/2023
By Chip Manuel, Ph.D.
Food Safety Science Advisor, GOJO Industries
There’s a good chance that you’ve been to a restaurant and observed an employee grab a soaking wet cloth towel from a red bucket filled with solution and then use the towel to wipe a table clean for the next set of guests. But did you know this seemingly routine practice can carry food safety risks if not conducted properly? In this article, we will take a deeper dive into the practice of reusable wiping cloths, exploring some of the potential food safety risks of this practice as demonstrated by recent scientific efforts.
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Do Your School's Disinfectants Leave Chemicals Behind?
5/1/2023
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
Schools are a breeding ground for germs – they're forever plagued by illness outbreaks that potentially disrupt student learning and facility operations. We know that surface disinfection is one key way to break the germ cycle, providing peace of mind that killing germs on surfaces means healthier school facilities. But have we thought enough about what is left behind after we kill the germs, and are we confident it's not another risk to our students and staff?
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Formulation Counts When It Comes to Surface Sanitizers and Disinfectants
4/3/2023
By Chuck Crawford, Ph.D.
Chief Innovation Officer, GOJO Industries
From our more than 75 years of innovating hygiene products, we know there are fundamental elements that deliver effective and worry-free hand and surface hygiene products that people want to use. At GOJO, we refer to this idea as "Formulation Counts," and it's at the core of every product we develop. I've covered how formulation counts for alcohol-based hand sanitizer in a previous blog this blog post will go into that story for surface sanitizers and disinfectants.
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Promoting Wellness in the Workplace
3/3/2023
By Jim Arbogast, Ph.D.
Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements Vice President, GOJO Industries
Workplaces have evolved over the course of the pandemic. For some, what once was a daily commute to the office has shifted to hybrid and flexible work schedules. Over the past year, workers have been returning to their offices more frequently. Recently, Kastle Systems data passed 50% office occupancy in the U.S. for the first time since the pandemic began.
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What is Norovirus?
2/21/2023
By Chip Manuel, Ph.D.
Food Safety Science Advisor, GOJO Industries
Also By Megan J. DiGiorgio, MSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC
Senior Clinical Manager, GOJO Industries
CDC data shows that cases of norovirus (aka "the stomach bug") are rising. Recently, there have been multiple elementary schools in the news after outbreaks. You may have even heard from friends who had a recent bout with the dreaded "stomach flu." This blog will cover the basics about norovirus to help you prepare personally and prevent an outbreak at your business/school.
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Tips to Prevent Norovirus Outbreaks in K-12 Schools
2/16/2023
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
Schools are common settings for spreading germs and illnesses, particularly during the cold winter months when people spend more time inside. While the flu and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) seem to have peaked for this season, norovirus and other "stomach bugs" are wreaking havoc on K-12 schools. A few elementary schools have even been in the U.S. news recently with norovirus outbreaks, some even canceling school for a few days.
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Food Safety Experts Share Best Practices for Norovirus Prevention in Food Establishments
2/1/2023
By Chip Manuel, Ph.D.
Food Safety Science Advisor, GOJO Industries
As we reach peak norovirus season, I wanted to share the below takeaways from a conversation I had with two top food safety experts at the 2022 Food Safety Summit. Hal King, Ph.D., Managing Partner, Active Food Safety and Founder/CEO, Public Health Innovation, and Lee-Ann Jaykus, Ph.D., William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor, North Carolina State University, shared best practices to help food establishments prevent foodborne pathogens from spreading at their facilities, with a focus on norovirus.
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Tips to Prevent Norovirus Outbreaks on Campus
1/27/2023
By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.
Research Principal, GOJO Industries
Every January, as K-12 schools, colleges, and universities return to campus after winter break, schools brace for a flare-up of seasonal illnesses as students and staff bring germs from around the country back to campus. This year, high cases of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and the flu have been reported throughout the U.S., with COVID-19 cases rising. But, so far, one illness that appears to be hiding just below the radar is the dreaded "winter vomiting bug" or "stomach flu."
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