Safe Food-Handling Labels on Takeout

MANHATTAN, Kan.Safe food-handling labels for take-out food can help restaurants and food providers distinguish themselves in a competitive marketplace as long as the stickers were used consistently and employees supported the initiative, according to a new study from Kansas State University.

Researchers designed a safe food-handling label for take-out food after consulting numerous experts and consumers. They then worked with 10 restaurants in Ontario to provide food-safety stickers for take-out food and subsequently interviewed managers about the utility of the stickers.

"With leftovers, people need information the moment they pull that container or clamshell package from the fridge," said Doug Powell, a Kansas State University associate professor of food safety. "How long has it been in the fridge? Is it still safe? Our approach was to provide practical information, right on the container."