Food Retailers Develop Free Hepatitis A Resource to Protect Public Health

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

Driving Local Business and Community Growth Across West Virginia

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OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

OMEGA is committed to fostering industry growth while serving West Virginians with essential services like fuel, food, and convenience.

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Your Essential Connection in West Virginia

OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

We keep members informed through newsletters, legislative updates, an online resource hub, and educational seminars. Additional member benefits include access to the Encova Workers’ Compensation Discount Program and participation in our annual Trade Expo and fundraising efforts for children’s charities. OMEGA is here to support, advocate, and enhance the success of our industry members.

The FMI Food Protection Committee (FPC) published the Hepatitis A Information Guide for Food Retail. This resource aims to protect public health and reduce the likelihood of foodborne illness by answering common questions regarding food safety, consumer and employee risks of infections from the Hepatitis A virus in the food retail setting.

By: Adam Friedlander, MS, Manager, Food Safety and Technical Services, Food Marketing Institute <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/hep-a-jpeg_10-21-19_.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=8c0a536e_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Hep A JPEG_10.21.19_" title="Hep A JPEG_10.21.19_" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;" />The FMI Food Protection Committee (FPC), a group of retail food safety leaders, published the <a href="https://www.fmi.org/docs/default-source/food-safety-best-practice-guides/fmi_hepatitis-guide-2019.pdf?sfvrsn=74de536e_2">Hepatitis A Information Guide for Food Retail</a>. This resource aims to protect public health and reduce the likelihood of foodborne illness by answering common questions regarding food safety, consumer and employee risks of infections from the Hepatitis A virus in the food retail setting.  These questions include:  <ul> <li>What is Hepatitis A?</li> <li>What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A?</li> <li>How is Hepatitis A transmitted?</li> <li>Who are the most at-risk populations?</li> <li>Why is the Hepatitis A virus a concern for the retail food industry?</li> <li>How can the Hepatitis A virus be prevented?</li> <li>How should food retailers respond to a suspected or confirmed Hepatitis A diagnosis? </li> </ul> According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), foodborne illness from Hepatitis A can be prevented by receiving the safe and highly effective <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/afaq.htm#E1">Hepatitis A vaccine</a>. FMI encourages all food handlers to receive the Hepatitis A vaccine, practice proper handwashing and good personal hygiene, develop and implement strong food safety and sanitation programs, and exclude food workers diagnosed with Hepatitis A from working in a food establishment.  The health and safety of our customers and employees is the retail community’s top priority. We encourage retailers and wholesalers of all sizes to implement these prevention steps and work with local regulators to swiftly respond to a suspected or confirmed Hepatitis A diagnosis.  <a href="https://www.fmi.org/docs/default-source/food-safety-best-practice-guides/fmi_hepatitis-guide-2019.pdf?sfvrsn=74de536e_4" class="button-secondary button--big">Download the Hepatitis A Information Guide for Food Retail</a>

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Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.