What is the required amount of foot candles in general areas other than food prep or storage?

In food safety, adequate lighting is crucial for maintaining proper hygiene and ensuring safe food handling practices. The requirement for general areas, aside from food preparation and storage, is set at 20 foot candles. This level of lighting ensures that staff can effectively monitor cleanliness, spot potential hazards, and maintain an overall safe environment without glare or excessive shadows that could conceal issues.

Proper lighting in food establishments also aids in compliance with health regulations and contributes to employee safety. Bright enough illumination allows for detailed tasks such as cleaning, inspecting equipment, and noticing spills or foreign objects, which can lead to accidents or cross-contamination if overlooked.

In other contexts, the lighting levels may vary; for instance, food prep and storage areas generally require more intense lighting to guarantee all food safety standards are met, which accounts for the differences in foot candle requirements across various spaces in a food service establishment.