Permit Required When Feeding Public

For Immediate Release: Friday, November 04, 2016

Washington County Environmental Health is reminding event organizers that temporary food service permits are required when providing certain food or drinks to the public, even when the food is free.

"With the cooler weather and holidays upon us, there is an increase in food service offerings from holiday festivals, churches, shelters and feeding programs," says Environmental Health Program Supervisor Jon Kawaguchi. "We remind anyone who plans on providing food or beverages that permits are required when potentially hazardous food items are involved. This includes government entities."

The term “potentially hazardous” means food that has to be kept at specific temperatures to minimize the growth of germs or to prevent the formation of toxins in the food, which can make people sick. Examples of potentially hazardous food and drink items include, but are not limited to:

• Raw and cooked meat/poultry or foods containing meat/poultry, such as casseroles, curries and lasagna
• Dairy products such as milk, custard and dairy-based desserts
• Cut tomatoes and leafy greens, salads, raw sprouts
• Cooked rice, beans or vegetables
• Foods containing eggs, beans, nuts or other protein-rich foods, such as quiche
• Foods that contain potentially hazardous food items, such as sandwiches and wraps
• Fish, shellfish and crustaceans
• Baked potatoes
• Mushrooms
• Tofu and other soy protein foods
• Garlic-in-oil mixtures
• Cut melons, including watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew

Single event permit applications can be downloaded at www.WashCoFoodSafety.com. Click on Food Service Licensing on left menu. Kawaguchi advises submitting the application one week in advance of the event.  

For more information, call Washington County Environmental Health at 503-846-8722.

Washington County Public Health improves and protects the public’s health across the lifespan through prevention, education, partnerships and healthy environments. 

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