A complete employee health policy must have the following elements: 1) Employee training on foodborne illness, particularly symptoms of illness and prevention of the Big Five illnesses (see "The Big Five Foodborne Illnesses Information Sheet" handout); and 2) Documentation that employees have been instructed of their responsibility to report symptoms of, diagnosis of or exposure to foodborne illness to management (see "Employee Health Agreement" handout); and 3) A management plan to restrict or exclude employees, as applicable, who have symptoms, diagnosis or exposure to foodborne illness (see "Employee Illness Decision Guide for PIC/CFM" handout). The information provided at the time of this inspection will help you develop and implement this policy. Handouts are available in the following languages: English, Chinese (traditional), Korean, Spanish, Thai, and Vietnamese. If you have any questions about your employee health policy, please contact your area inspector or contact the Health Department at 703-246-2444, TTY 703-591-6435.
ALL food employees shall wash their hands OFTEN especially after handling trash, using the restroom, handling raw meats, handling soiled equipment and utensils, BEFORE putting on clean gloves, etc. Proper handwashing frequencies will aid in the reduction of foodborne illness.
Provide hand soap at each hand sink to allow employees to properly wash their hands.
Provide paper towels at each hand sink to allow employees to properly dry their hands after handwashing.
Raw foods like poultry, beef, pork, seafood, and eggs shall be displayed to prevent cross contamination. Display all raw foods together and all cooked foods or ready-to-eat foods together. Maintain separation.
Surfaces of utensils and equipment contacting food that is NOT potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety food) such as ice bins, beverage dispensing nozzles, and enclosed components of equipment such as ice makers, cooking oil storage tanks and distribution lines, beverage and syrup dispensing lines or tubes, coffee bean grinders, and water vending equipment at a frequency specified by the manufacturer or at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold.
Potentially hazardous foods (time/temperature control for safety food) shall be held cold at a temperature of 41°F or below unless the permit holder is using "time as public health control" as specified under 3-501.19 to limit bacteria growth. Chicken was discarded during inspection.
Because of their toxicity, restricted use pesticides must be applied by a certified pesticide applicator to prevent injury and contamination.
Cooling hot foods shall be accomplished as follows: 1) placing the food in shallow pans; 2) separating the food into smaller or thinner portions; 3) using rapid cooling equipment; 4) stirring the food in a container placed in an ice water bath; 5) using containers that facilitate heat transfer; 6) adding ice as an ingredient; or other effective methods. Food containers placed in cooling and cold equipment to cool shall be: 1) arranged in the equipment to provide maximum heat transfer through the containers walls, and 2) loosely covered or uncovered as long as protected from contamination to facilitate heat transfer from the surface of the food.
Cold or hot holding equipment used for the storage of potentially hazardous foods (time/temperature control for safety food) shall be designed to include and shall be equipped with at least one integral or permanently affixed temperature measuring device that is located to allow easy viewing of the device's temperature display.
Food shall be protected from contamination by storing the food at least 6 inches off the floor on approved shelving units or dunnage racks. Milk crates, soda crates, or bread racks are not suitable for food storage.
Wet wiping cloths are to be used for wiping counters and other equipment surfaces and are to be held in a chemical sanitizer solution at the appropriate concentration between uses.
During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food utensils shall be stored in one of the following manners: 1) in the food with their handles above the top of the food and the container, 2) in food that is not potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safe food) with their handles above the top of the food within containers or equipment that can be closed, 3) on a clean portion of the food preparation table or cooking equipment only if the in-use utensil and the food contact surface of the food preparation table or cooking equipment are cleaned and sanitized, 4) in running water of sufficient velocity to flush particulates to the drain, 5) in a clean, protected location if the utensils are used only with a food that is NOT potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safe food), or 6) in a container of water if the water is maintained at a temperature of at least 135°F and the container is cleaned frequently.
Materials that are used in the construction of utensils and food-contact surfaces of equipment may not allow the migration of deleterious substances or impart colors, odors, or tastes to food and under normal use conditions shall be durable, corrosion-resistant, and nonabsorbent.
Non-food contact surfaces of equipment that are exposed to splash, spillage, or other foods that require frequent cleaning shall be constructed of a corrosion-resistant, nonabsorbent, and smooth material.
Clean all floors, walls and ceilings to prevent contamination to food and non food contact surfaces.
Repair the physical facilities. Poor repair and maintenance compromises the functionality of the physical facilities.