Providing meals for elderly people in nursing and retirement homes is not just a matter of taste – it is also a key element of preventive healthcare. Especially for vulnerable groups such as senior citizens, poor food safety can have serious consequences, and a foodborne illness can quickly become fatal. Listeria, in particular, has been responsible in Switzerland for numerous deaths among elderly people caused by contaminated food. Noroviruses and Salmonella are also highly dangerous for older individuals, which is why the utmost care must be taken with both care and kitchen hygiene.
Key measures for maximum safety
In addition to complying with legal requirements such as the Hygiene Regulation (HyV) and HACCP principles, the following points play a key role:
- Suppliers: Choose only trustworthy, certified suppliers and, where possible, use pasteurised products (e.g., cheese, fish).
- Personal hygiene: Regular handwashing and correct use of protective clothing.
- Hygiene in food handling: Protect and cover food to prevent contamination, maintain the cold chain.
- Temperature control: Hot food must stay hot, cold food must stay cold – correct cold and hot holding is essential.
- Avoid cross-contamination: Strictly separate raw ingredients from ready-to-eat food.
- Complete documentation: Monitoring alone is not enough – processes must be traceably documented, e.g., cleaning records.
Digital support with the Alcomo HACCP App
With the Alcomo HACCP App, these hygiene processes can be documented efficiently, in compliance with the law, and digitally – directly on a smartphone or tablet.
This reduces paper clutter and supports both the kitchen and care teams in their daily work.
Our tip
Regular training sessions and internal audits conducted by independent experts help maintain a high level of hygiene awareness within the team – because safety comes from routine and knowledge.
In addition, implemented measures can be validated: Is the cleaning effective, and are staff washing their hands thoroughly and frequently enough? Surface and/or hand swab tests can help verify this.
Learn more and try the app: Alcomo HACCP App – Hygiene & HACCP Documentation
