How and Why to Make Your Restaurant Lead-Free
August 15, 2017If you own a restaurant, then you already know how important water is to your operations, and that poor water quality can adversely impact the success of your business. That is why you should ensure a restaurant lead-free environment.
Water is an integral part of all that’s done at a restaurant, because you wouldn’t be able to cook or wash dishes without it. In this regard, lead is one of the most serious contaminants that you want to look out for, and it’s vital that you aim towards a restaurant lead-free. But just how can this be done? By now, everybody should be aware of the dangers lead exposure poses to health. It was this concern that prompted the passage of U.S. Senate Bill No. S.3874 in 2011. S.3874 was passed to modify the Safe Drinking Water Act. The bill essentially changed the maximum amount of lead allowable in pipes, plumbing fittings, and fixtures to .25%.
Why make your restaurant lead-free
Lead is a toxic metal that can be damaging to health, and corroding pipes and plumbing fixtures are often a source of lead contamination in drinking water. Lead is especially harmful to children, and high levels have been linked to organ failure and neurological damage. That’s the reason why all businesses, and especially restaurants, must ensure that they are compliant with the lead-free requirements of S.3874.
You want your customers to be able to dine in a fun, comfortable atmosphere, but most of all, you also want them to be safe. Committing to providing restaurant lead-free pipes, plumbing fixtures, and faucets is a huge part of caring about the good health of your customers, and seeing to their safety.
How to make your restaurant lead-free
You can ensure that your restaurant is lead-free by having your water tested. It’s possible that the building in which your restaurant is located may contain old lead pipes that you’re not aware of, so it’s advisable to have your water tested. Since it is known that lead is harmful, you don’t want to take the chance that your customers may be exposed to it.
Making your restaurant lead-free may therefore mean having older water pipes and faucets replaced and updated. Pipes are the main avenue through which lead is likely to leach into the water you use at your restaurant. So make sure that all your pipes and faucets are lead-free – not only those in the kitchen, but those in the bar and restrooms as well. You want to make certain that your customers are not drinking or handling any polluted water.
As a restaurant owner, the safety of your customers is a top priority, so having lead in the water is not an option. You want customers to enjoy their meals, soak in the great atmosphere of the place, feel well and healthy, and continue to feel that way when they leave.
Roast: What’s Wrong With The Honeymooner’s Kitchen? Kitchen Supplies
Welcome to our new series, “Roast and Toast”! Each month we’ll feature one kitchen that we love and one that… well, could use improvements. The kitchens we feature can come from anywhere – TV, films, popular culture, you name it. We’ll talk about what we love and what...
Restaurant Supplies: The Growing Menu Role of Specialty Cheeses
As a commercial restaurant owner or manager, you might wonder what you can do to revive your menu a bit. There are a lot of fun ways to diversify your menu, but one trend you might have noticed is the growing role of specialty cheeses. We’ve all used common cheeses,...
It’s a Toast: Why We Love the “Friends” Kitchen
Welcome to our new series, “Roast and Toast!” Each month we’re going to feature one kitchen we love and one kitchen we hate. It can be from anywhere – a sitcom, a cooking show, a cartoon, a movie, or any other screen you’d see one on! We’re starting off with a toast...
Ready to Open a Second Restaurant Location?
If your current restaurant is booming, it might be time to consider a second location. Congratulations on your current success – you’ve already beaten the odds! Opening a second location can be easier than your first one – you’ve already worked out a lot of the kinks....
The One Product to Boost Convenience Store Sales
Is there one product that can single-handedly make or break the success of your convenience store? A lot of store owners would say no. When they look at their store, they see products coming from hot dish foodservice equipment, shelves, and a variety of categories...
Restaurant Equipment Spotlight: Gas vs. Electric
Does your Little Rock restaurant use gas or electric restaurant equipment? In all likelihood you made this decision a long time ago, but it’s one that can always be reconsidered. There are benefits to both. If you’re opening a new restaurant location, it’s vital to...
Restaurant Equipment: Self-Ordering Technology
One of the biggest challenges of running a restaurant is keeping up with all the technology and restaurant equipment that is available. You might have thought when you opened your location that you could run things basically the same way for decades. While they may...
Four Tips to Opening a Successful Restaurant
Have you been dreaming about bringing your food expertise to the forefront of you life? Many people have thought about opening their own restaurant. Folks don’t follow through for a variety of reasons – money, fear, or simple inertia. You can be different, though. You...
The Case for Timeless Restaurant Décor
What’s the newest trend in restaurant décor? Evidently, people are loving “Millennial pink,” and they’re using it for everything. If you’re trying to keep up with what’s hot, you better get some new restaurant supplies right away! And remember, this isn’t just any...
Deep Fry Safely & Efficiently
When it comes to kitchen equipment, knowing how to use it correctly is vital. Not only does it keep your employees safe, it ensures that the food comes out well and that your equipment last a long time in good condition. Using a deep fryer may seem pretty simple, and...
Should You Buy Closeout Restaurant Supplies?
As a restaurant owner, you, of course, want to save money in any way possible. Restaurant margins are known for being razor-thin, so every dollar counts. Because of this, you might be tempted when you see a closeout deal for restaurant supplies. After all, you can get...
Choosing Environmentally Friendly Restaurant Supplies
There’s been a lot of controversy recently about restaurant supplies and how they affect the environment. The current focus is on plastic straws, but the same conversation has been had about Styrofoam and a variety of other materials. Can you choose environmentally...
Restaurant Supplies to Prepare Your Location for Spring
In March you can begin to feel warmer weather around the corner here in Little Rock. After all, the groundhog didn’t see its shadow this year, so we’re in for an early spring, right? As you think about how to prepare your restaurant for spring, think about getting the...
Proper Use of Cutting Boards
Food safety is vital to every restaurant – consistent inspections make sure of it! Unfortunately, the day-to-day operations can sometimes mean that safety falls through the cracks. One thing that can get overlooked in a busy kitchen is the safe use of cutting boards....
Four Myths About Food Trucks
You probably know that the food truck industry is booming – it’s grown by 7.3% in the last five years and shows no signs of slowing down. That makes it an attractive industry for anyone interested in serving food – from established restaurants to new entrepreneurs....