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Adopt a resolution declaring September 2017 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 consider adopting a resolution declaring September 2017 as Food Safety Education Month.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
September 2017 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, Federal, State and local regulatory agencies to promote public health protection through safe food handling practices.
Since 2004 the department 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. Solano County will participate in this effort.
During September 2017, the department will be performing inspections focusing on hot and cold holding temperatures and proper cooling techniques at over 300 food establishments, especially those with a higher potential for foodborne illness due to the complexity of their food preparation activities. The department decided to use temperatures as our focus during the National Food Safety Education Month as it is our most noted violation within our food establishments in Solano County. During these focused inspections, department staff will interview food establishment kitchen staff and observe their practices to determine their understanding of temperatures and cooling practices as they relate to foodborne illness; this will also allow staff to monitor for best management practices in an inspection tailored to these topics. Continuing our history of educating the regulated community and our partners, the department will also distribute posters and handouts about the temperature danger zone and proper cooling techniques for display in preparation areas to all food facilities inspected.
Last year during September 2016, our department participated in a campaign (as we have the last six years) which resulted in focused hand washing inspections being performed at 298 food establishments. During these inspections, the department distributed educational handouts, which included hand washing posters, personal hygiene fliers, storyboards on good hand washing practices and hand wash stickers to these establishments. As a result, the number of violations associated with handwashing events has decreased by 24% since the beginning of our handwashing campaign initiative.
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 FY2017/18 budget. There is no general fund impact.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to issue a resolution declaring September 2017 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 food safety operational 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 hot and cold holding temperatures and cooling; and its role in preventing illness. Solano County Health and Social Services Department, Public Health Service Division will be posting flyers on the temperature danger zone and proper cooling practices on their web site, at Family Health Services Clinics in Fairfield and Vallejo, and at WIC program offices in Fairfield, Vacaville, and Vallejo. Public Health Nurses will also provide temperature danger zone flyers to families when they conduct home visits to new moms, newborns, and families. Solano Public Health estimates that hundreds of Solano County residents will receive the important message about proper temperatures for food storage and cooling through these outreach efforts in September.
County Counsel was consulted during preparation of the Resolution.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION