Covid-19 Protocol
In these uncertain times, Passport Coffee and Tea is taking proactive measures to protect our staff and the continuity of our business operations during the spreading of the COVID-19 virus.
EMPLOYEES - REGARDING FOOD PREP:
FDA Food Code to ensure food safety and reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19:
• Food preparers must keep hands and arms clean, and follow cleaning procedures including washing at least 20 seconds with hand cleaner and rinsing under warm running water.
• When to wash includes: after touching body parts; after using the restroom; after caring for animals; after coughing, sneezing, or using tissue; after using tobacco; after eating or drinking; after handling soiled equipment during food preparation; after handling raw food and working with ready to eat food; before donning gloves; and after any other activity that contaminates hands.
• There is required to be at least one hand washing sink, that hand washing sink must be convenient to employees and or immediately adjacent to toilet rooms, and hand washing supplies such as hand soap and cleanser and drying devices such as towels or heated air devices for hand washing sinks are required to be present.
Daily cleaning procedures. All equipment, counters, mixing containers and tools are sanitized. Floors, walls and doors are sanitized. Desks, computers, bathrooms and doors are sanitized daily.
• Hand sanitation stations are provided throughout the building.
OFFICES/ AREAS: OFFICE STAFF
• When to wash includes: after touching body parts; after using the restroom; after caring for animals; after coughing, sneezing, or using tissue; after using tobacco; after eating or drinking; after handling soiled equipment during food preparation; after handling raw food and working with ready to eat food; before donning gloves; and after any other activity that contaminates hands.
Daily cleaning procedures. All equipment, counters, mixing containers and tools are sanitized. Floors, walls and doors are sanitized. Desks, computers, bathrooms and doors are sanitized daily.
• Hand sanitation stations are provided throughout the building.
EMPLOYEE - GENERAL INFORMATION:
Stay up to date by following credible, official sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and your local government health department so you can respond quickly to changes that could affect you or your customers.
• Follow CDC on Facebook or Instagram
• Follow WHO on Facebook or Instagram
Exercise your best judgment. If you are not feeling well or already have a compromised immune system, please exercise self-care and remain at home.
We have implemented extra cleaning and sanitation procedures in the general work environment and on all work surfaces. We have also added extra hand-washing and hand-sanitizing stations throughout our facilities.
PRODUCTS:
Regarding Passport Tea products:
The U.S. Tea Association has recently responded with information specifically referencing the safety of teas imported from other countries. Passport Teas we currently sell were produced and shipped last year prior to the beginning of the crisis in China. Additionally, tea is finished in hot ovens and is brewed in hot water that would destroy any microorganism, including a virus. The head of the U.S. Tea Association, Peter Goggi, has stated the risk of the COVID-19 infection per the CDC:
“The virus is not spread through goods but by human to human contact … In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures. Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets.”
These statements are well-supported by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More information from the FDA may be found here and also from the CDC here.
Currently Passport Coffee and Tea existing stock of most teas is plentiful.
We will continue to update our customers on the status of tea production and importation as the situation continues to unfold. Shipping delays among many carriers may be possible, as FEDEX has sent out an alert to expect delays due to the current COVID-19 situation.
We will continue to monitor developments and make all adjustments to our safety practices as recommended by the FDA and the CDC.