Food Code

  • Lack of food safety costly for diners, eateries; Alabama training center tries to fix errors

    Posted: July 20th, 2010 - 9:47am by Doug Powell

    Here’s a common scene from many of the mom and pop restaurants I’ve visited: a towel used to sop up juice from raw hamburger meat also is used to wipe down counters.

    Phyllis Fenn, a standardization officer with the Alabama Department of Public Health's bureau of environmental services, has seen the same thing – too often.

    The Montgomery Advertiser reports today the Food Safety Training Center on Atlanta Highway is an attempt both to help restaurant owners avoid bad inspections and to protect their customers' health.

    When Alabama adopted the 2005 Food Code, one provision was that at least one person in restaurants where raw foods are handled, including fast-food eateries and sushi bars, would become food safety certified. When the state adopted the code, it opted to go with a lead-in time -- Jan. 1 of this year.

    The classes can help restaurants improve their health department inspection scores, which is exactly what they are designed to do, Fenn said.

    She said the certification class helps restaurants reduce food-related illnesses as well as teaching them about the proper temperatures to cook and hold food (the temperature of food that sits out at a buffet) and proper hygiene.
     

    Your rating: None (2 votes)
    Bookmark and Share
    Restaurant Inspection  |  0 Comments
    cloth, Food Code, inspection, restaurant, Sanitizer, table, Training
  • Dirty doggie dining in Manhattan, Kansas

    Posted: September 4th, 2009 - 3:04pm by Mayra Rivarola

    When I first opened the Kansas State Collegian yesterday morning, the following headline popped out: “Green, pet-friendly bar opens in Aggieville.” The story started:

    “Tail wagging, mouth drooling, riled up with excitement stands Tank the dog, welcoming bar patrons this Saturday to the newly renovated the Loft Bar and Grill.”

     

    The owner added,

     

    “We will be having many different types of animals outside the Loft — dogs, goats and even miniature Clydesdales.” Jacobson said. “Our bar is very pet-friendly.”

     

    Actually, the Kansas Food Code prohibits animals on food establishments, unless they are assistance animals, according to code reference 6-501.115 found here.

     

    Did Jackson read over the Food Code before opening his restaurant? Maybe he’s a rebel, or is he just playing it dumb?

     

    The local health department inspectors would consider bringing pets to a restaurant a critical violation. Last year, Tanks Tavern, also in Aggieville, was cited two critical violations including: “live dog in bar and dog food stored under sink.”

     

    As Amy and Doug wrote, “tripping, biting, dog fights, barking, allergies, and the transfer of dangerous microorganisms such as E. coli, salmonella and cryptosporidium” are some of the risks that come along with doggie dining.

     

    Restaurants in Florida can apply for permits to allow dogs on their patio, if they meet certain conditions. Employees must not touch pets while handling food, and if they do, they must wash their hands. Customers should also wash their hands before eating and keep their pets off tables, chairs, and tables.

     

    As far as I know, we are still in Kansas, where doggie dining is clearly prohibited.

     

    These are my puppies:

    Your rating: None
    Bookmark and Share
    Animals, Food Safety Culture, Restaurant Inspection  |  1 Comment
    Dining, Doggie, Doggy, Food Code, Kansas State University, Loft