Does your operation openly display food that’s within customer reach? Without adequate protection, sneezes, coughs and foreign objects can easily make their way to the food on your buffet, service area or salad bar. Sneeze guards help by shielding menu items from both biological (sneezes and coughs) and physical contaminants (that long brown hair strand that doesn’t belong to you). While it’s true that there are plenty of sneeze guards on the market, not all are the same. They come in a host of configurations, shapes, sizes and levels of quality. Let’s take a look at the different types of sneeze guards out there, as well as some of their features, so you can determine which options will best fit your needs.
Plexiglass or tempered glass
The use of sneeze guards has increased substantially over the last few years. They’re scattered everywhere from the grocery store register to bank service counters, the self-serve soup bar at your local c-store and various other locations. Although these shields might be helpful in a variety of industries and scenarios, foodservice operations are the only place they’re often required by law. That requirement depends on what your state or local health department has determined and usually hinges on how you serve your food.
But regardless of if sneeze guards are required, they can be a great addition to your operation. They offer protection, while also making it easy for customers to clearly see the items on display. This two-in-one benefit is accomplished using one of two types of materials, acrylic plexiglass or tempered glass.
The nature of foodservice is often unyielding, and that means the equipment used in this industry needs to be tough and long-lasting. Traditional glass can crack, break or shatter easily, but both plexiglass and tempered glass are durable and able to withstand repeated use in a commercial setting. That said, tempered glass has a competitive edge, even over plexiglass. This material is less likely to scratch, break or crack because its chemical makeup creates a durable and scratch-resistant surface. In addition, tempered glass doesn’t yellow or dull with washing and is more heat resistant than plexiglass. In other words, choosing a sneeze guard made with tempered glass can help extend the life of your purchase — giving you a stronger return on your investment.
Plastic or metal posts
The other critical part of a sneeze guard is its posts, or support base. Like the transparent shield that’s found on a sneeze guard, these posts are typically made from one of two different types of materials — this time, plastic or stainless steel. When choosing a sneeze guard for your operation, the durability, longevity and eco-friendliness of stainless steel is superior every time. Not only that, but stainless steel is more heat resistant and less porous, making it safer and easier to clean. The combo of tempered glass and stainless steel seen in units like Hatco’s Flav-R-Shield® collection is an unmatched duo for any other sneeze guard equipment on the market.
Full-service sneeze guards
Now that we know what materials to look for, let’s talk about service options. You’ll first want to think about the type of operation you’re running. Is your establishment a full-service restaurant or cafeteria where employees serve the green beans, assemble tasty sub sandwiches or carve up a savory roast? If that’s the case, you’ll want to check out full-service sneeze guards. These types of units usually feature three sides of protection plus a shield at the top of the unit. With the customer-facing sides protected, that leaves one unshielded area for foodservice staff to access and serve each delicious menu item.
Self-serve sneeze guards
On the flip side, if you have a cafeteria full of hungry fifth graders waiting to grab their cheeseburgers, or a lunch buffet with self-serve burritos (plus the fixings), a self-service sneeze guard might be your solution. These types of models protect the food with a shield situated above the food while providing an adequate amount of space for guests to grab their grub. Additionally, most self-serve sneeze guards are available in one- or two-sided configurations. The different designs work to protect food on either one or both sides of a buffet line. So, if you serve food from just one side of the buffet counter, you’ll want to look into the one-side configuration for your sneeze guard. But if you have guests making their way down both sides of your station, the two-sided sneeze guard is a good move.
Fixed sneeze guards
Now that we’ve looked at the difference between full-service and self-serve sneeze guards, let’s discuss installation. Does your operation offer a buffet-style menu, most or all of the time? A smart design with the right equipment provides optimal traffic flow for all your guests to make their food selections quickly and easily. Getting this setup right includes thinking about safety and sanitation equipment like sneeze guards. Many buffet-focused establishments opt for permanent buffet installations that include fixed sneeze guards secured to the surface of the buffet counter or serving station.
As a result of the sneeze guard being a permanent fixture of the buffet counter, fixed options can add to the preparedness of your overall operation since staff won’t have to set up sneeze guards on a daily basis. They also won’t get accidentally bumped out of place or set up incorrectly. That said, even portable heated wells, cold wells or serving lines can benefit from the added convenience of a sneeze guard secured in place. Units like Hatco’s Flav-R-Shield® Double-Sided Self-Service Sneeze Guard can easily be installed on portable buffet units and take a ride with this equipment wherever they go.
Portable sneeze guards
Speaking of portable, if you're looking for a non-committal type of buffet relationship, portable sneeze guards might be just the answer you’re looking for. Do you have a weekend brunch buffet, mid-week salad bar or off-site catering gig? You can set up portable sneeze guards quickly and easily to accommodate any pop-up event. Simply place them above your delicious fare and you’ve got a safe, self-serve food station in seconds.
Further, when state or local health departments require sneeze guards, they also call for specific shield placement. For example, sneeze guards need to be installed at a designated height above the food. Also, the width of the glass needs to extend beyond a certain span on one or both sides of the buffet line. These measurements are in place to provide the most sufficient protection from contaminants. With this in mind, it’s worth noting that some portable models have adjustable height features that increase their flexibility. Be sure to check with your health department to understand all the parameters before you install a fixed sneeze guard or set up a portable one.
Want more?
We’ve covered a lot of ground, but believe it or not, there’s still more to learn about sneeze guards. Want to find out even more? Contact one of our knowledgeable representatives or head over to the sneeze guard section of our website and check out all we have to offer.
