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Adopt a resolution declaring September 2020 as Food Safety Education Month
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution declaring September 2020 as Food Safety Education Month.
SUMMARY:
September 2020 is designated as National Food Safety Education Month by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s International Food Safety Council. This campaign has been sponsored since 1994 to emphasize the importance of food safety education within the foodservice industry to prevent foodborne illness. During the month of September, this event is used by many private and public organizations, including the National Restaurant Association and Federal, State and local regulatory agencies to promote public health protection through safe food handling practices.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost of preparing this report is borne by the department and is minimal. Approximately $500 is allocated to print the handouts and posters. The department recovers cost for managing the retail food protection program through fees for permits and plan review. Cost associated with activity in support of National Food Education Month (inspections, educational outreach and printing/distribution of flyers) is included in the FY2020/21 preliminary budget. There is no general fund impact.
DISCUSSION:
Since 2004 the County has been a member of a regional partnership program with other local environmental health agencies, including those from Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sonoma counties, sponsored by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The goal of this FDA regional partnership program is to increase safe food handling practices at retail food facilities by improving local implementation of the retail food inspection program. In conjunction with National Food Safety Education Month, many of the members of this FDA regional partnership program conduct educational campaigns in September to emphasize the importance of food safety in the prevention of foodborne illness.
As COVID-19 continues to be present in our daily lives nationwide, the importance of good handwashing has been in the forefront of everyone’s mind. Handwashing, which has always been essential to minimizing foodborne illness; also reduces the risk of transmission of bacteria and viruses like COVID-19. This year’s Food Safety Education Month campaign will focus on handwashing and will also allow staff to educate food facility operators on other control measures specific to preventing transmission of COVID-19 as needed. To accomplish this during September 2020, the department will be performing inspections focusing on hand washing practices at food establishments, especially those with a higher potential for bare hand to food contact as a result of their food preparation activities. During these focused inspections, department staff will interview kitchen staff and observe their practices to determine their understanding and use of good hand washing techniques. Staff will also review other COVID-19 transmission reductions protocols implemented at the food establishment per the California Department of Public Health’s industry guidance related to restaurants and discuss improvements with the operators. Those food establishments that are inspected and observed as following good hand washing procedures and transmission prevention techniques will be issued a “certificate of recognition” at the time of inspection.
Last year during September 2019, the department’s campaign focused on food temperatures and cooling techniques to prevent foodborne illness, which resulted in 360 inspections at food establishments. During these inspections, staff distributed educational handouts, which included temperature danger zone posters, storyboards on foodborne illness prevention and cooling handouts to these establishments.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to issue a resolution declaring September 2020 as Food Safety Education Month. This is not recommended as such a resolution will support local and regional efforts to promote public health through food safety education and COVID-19 transmission prevention awareness.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The department is also coordinating outreach activities with the Solano County Health and Social Services Department, Public Health Services Division and the County Administrators Office to provide information to media and the public on proper hand washing and its role in preventing illness. Solano County Health and Social Services Department, Public Health Service Division will be posting flyers on hand washing on their web site, at Family Health Services Clinics in Fairfield and Vallejo, and at WIC program offices in Fairfield, Vacaville, and Vallejo. Solano Public Health estimates that hundreds of Solano County residents will receive the important message about hand washing through these outreach efforts in September.
County Counsel was consulted during preparation of the Resolution.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION