Good handling practices in food and beverage areas of hotels: Evaluation of improvements achieved versus financial investments

Abstract

AbstractThe study evaluated to implement good handling practices in the food and beverage areas of hotels under guidance of an outsourced professional and to evaluate the investments needed for their implementation and maintenance. A checklist for good handling practices was applied and a plan of action was developed to correct the nonconformities found. After 22 months, the checklist was applied again and a survey was conducted of the initial financial investments, and the investments for maintenance of the program and of the number of guests served during the implementation. After the financial investments and the accompaniment by an outsourced professional were made, the hotels had significant improvements (p = .0051) in the hygienic‐sanitary conditions. In relation to costs, the requirement that had the highest initial investment was for buildings, installations, equipment, furniture, and utensils ($ 166.71 to $ 34,002.57). There was significant improvement between the first and second evaluations, which demonstrates the importance of skilled outsourced professionals to assist in the changes and investments made in the implementation of good handling practices.Practical applicationsThis study is important because it evaluates to implement good handling practices in the food and beverage areas of hotels under guidance of an outsourced professional and the investments needed for their implementation and maintenance, to assist in the development of tools and strategies to improve hygienic‐sanitary conditions and to make the owners and other professionals involved in the segment aware of the importance of investing in order to reduce the risk of foodborne disease.