Tuesday, January 13, 2009
NEW! Electric Fence for Dog Policy
On January 9, 2009, the Health Department finalized its policy on electric fences. The Department previously prohibited such fences. The new policy allows dog owners to apply for an exemption from this prohibition. Please follow this link to review the updated Acceptable Standards for Proper Restraints of Animals.
Monday, January 12, 2009
NEW! Food Facility Recognition Program
The Health Department recently announced its new Food Facility Recognition Program that recognizes those food facilities that go above and beyond the minimum food safety and sanitation required by the State and City. There are 2 awards that can be applied for - the Charm City Health Award for Excellence in Sanitation and the Charm City Health Award for Nutritional Information.
To review the qualifications for these awards and obtain an application, please visit this site.
The Health Department is very excited about this program! Not only will a qualified food establishment be recognized by the Department for its assistance in promoting a safer and healthier Baltimore, but diners will also be aware of the facility's commitment to their public health.
Check out the section in my blog titled "Charm City Health Award Recipients" for an updated list on those facilities that have obtained an award.
Inspector O
To review the qualifications for these awards and obtain an application, please visit this site.
The Health Department is very excited about this program! Not only will a qualified food establishment be recognized by the Department for its assistance in promoting a safer and healthier Baltimore, but diners will also be aware of the facility's commitment to their public health.
Check out the section in my blog titled "Charm City Health Award Recipients" for an updated list on those facilities that have obtained an award.
Inspector O
Monday, December 8, 2008
Wearing Gloves when Handling Food
Dear Inspector O -
Does the law require that I wear gloves when handling or serving food?
Allergic to Latex
Dear Allergic to Latex -
State regulations require the wearing of gloves when serving ready-to-eat foods if utensils such as tongs, spatulas, deli tissue or automatic dispensing equipment are not used. COMAR 10.15.03.09F. In addition, if a food handler is wearing fingernail polish or has artificial fingernails, gloves are required. COMAR 10.14.03.14(H)(2).
Gloves can be used as an extra precaution to ensure food is not contaminated. But, keep in mind that:
1) gloves are to be worn for one task only;
2) the same gloves are not used while working with ready-to-eat food and raw food; and
3) gloves must be discarded when they are soiled or damaged, an interruption occurs in the operation, or after 2 hours of continuous use. COMAR 10.14.03.14(J).
Ensuring that foods are not contaminated with unwashed hands or dirty gloves is one of the most important food protection requirements a food handler must follow.
If you are required to wear gloves, look for gloves that are latex-free. Many companies manufacture latex-free gloves.
Inspector O
Does the law require that I wear gloves when handling or serving food?
Allergic to Latex
Dear Allergic to Latex -
State regulations require the wearing of gloves when serving ready-to-eat foods if utensils such as tongs, spatulas, deli tissue or automatic dispensing equipment are not used. COMAR 10.15.03.09F. In addition, if a food handler is wearing fingernail polish or has artificial fingernails, gloves are required. COMAR 10.14.03.14(H)(2).
Gloves can be used as an extra precaution to ensure food is not contaminated. But, keep in mind that:
1) gloves are to be worn for one task only;
2) the same gloves are not used while working with ready-to-eat food and raw food; and
3) gloves must be discarded when they are soiled or damaged, an interruption occurs in the operation, or after 2 hours of continuous use. COMAR 10.14.03.14(J).
Ensuring that foods are not contaminated with unwashed hands or dirty gloves is one of the most important food protection requirements a food handler must follow.
If you are required to wear gloves, look for gloves that are latex-free. Many companies manufacture latex-free gloves.
Inspector O
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Shoe Requirement
Dear Inspector O -
Are shoes required in a bar/food establishment?
Likes to Dance Barefoot
Dear Likes to Dance Barefoot -
Neither the Maryland Food Code nor the City Health Code provide a foot protection requirement in a food establishment/bar. If you are an employer, however, you have a responsibility to comply with the Occupation and Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
The relevant OSHA standards are 29 CFR 1926.28(a):
The employer is responsible for requiring the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment in all operations where there is an exposure to hazardous conditions or where this part indicates the need for using such equipment to reduce the hazards to the employees.
And 29 CFR 1910.136(a):
The employer is responsible for requiring the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment in all operations where there is an exposure to hazardous conditions or where this part indicates the need for using such equipment to reduce the hazards to the employees.
In addition, please review the link I have provided, which provides OSHA's interpretation of the foot protection standards.
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=19358.
If you are a business owner, you also have the right to require a shoe policy for those who patronize your business if there are liability issues, which generally there are.
Inspector O
Are shoes required in a bar/food establishment?
Likes to Dance Barefoot
Dear Likes to Dance Barefoot -
Neither the Maryland Food Code nor the City Health Code provide a foot protection requirement in a food establishment/bar. If you are an employer, however, you have a responsibility to comply with the Occupation and Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
The relevant OSHA standards are 29 CFR 1926.28(a):
The employer is responsible for requiring the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment in all operations where there is an exposure to hazardous conditions or where this part indicates the need for using such equipment to reduce the hazards to the employees.
And 29 CFR 1910.136(a):
The employer is responsible for requiring the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment in all operations where there is an exposure to hazardous conditions or where this part indicates the need for using such equipment to reduce the hazards to the employees.
In addition, please review the link I have provided, which provides OSHA's interpretation of the foot protection standards.
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=19358.
If you are a business owner, you also have the right to require a shoe policy for those who patronize your business if there are liability issues, which generally there are.
Inspector O
Hair Restraints
Inspector O -
I operate a small cafe that serves a limited menu of coffee, teas and desserts such as cookies, cakes and pastries. Are hair restaints necessary for my staff?
Cafe Owner
Dear Cafe Owner -
Pursuant to COMAR 10.15.03.14(H)(5), a.k.a the Maryland Food Code, employees who handle exposed food and food-contact surfaces must use hairnets, caps or other effective hair restraints in order to keep hair from contacting food and food-contact surfaces. Coffee, tea and unpackaged desserts are considered exposed foods. Therefore, some sort of hair restraint is required.
Inspector O
I operate a small cafe that serves a limited menu of coffee, teas and desserts such as cookies, cakes and pastries. Are hair restaints necessary for my staff?
Cafe Owner
Dear Cafe Owner -
Pursuant to COMAR 10.15.03.14(H)(5), a.k.a the Maryland Food Code, employees who handle exposed food and food-contact surfaces must use hairnets, caps or other effective hair restraints in order to keep hair from contacting food and food-contact surfaces. Coffee, tea and unpackaged desserts are considered exposed foods. Therefore, some sort of hair restraint is required.
Inspector O
Friday, March 7, 2008
Smoking Ban
I am a current bar owner in Baltimore City. I am interested in finding out what the City's enforcement procedures are for the smoking ban.
Baltimore Bar Owner
Dear Baltimore Bar Owner -
You can find the City Health Department's enforcement policy on it's website at: http://www.baltimorehealth.org/tobacco.html. The State also has an informative website pertaining to the new Clean Indoor Air Act, which can be found at: http://www.mdcleanair.org/
Inspector O
Baltimore Bar Owner
Dear Baltimore Bar Owner -
You can find the City Health Department's enforcement policy on it's website at: http://www.baltimorehealth.org/tobacco.html. The State also has an informative website pertaining to the new Clean Indoor Air Act, which can be found at: http://www.mdcleanair.org/
Inspector O
Friday, January 4, 2008
Taking Fido to my Neighborhood Restaurant
Why can't I bring my dog to a restaurant? My dog is well behaved and the owner has given me permission.
- City Dog Lover
Dear City Dog Lover -
Although many of us love our dogs and are not bothered when dogs dine with their owners, State regulation prohibits this. Under COMAR 10.15.03.09(4) live birds and animals are not allowed in any area of a food facility where food is prepared, stored or served. The only exception to this prohibition is service dogs.
- Inspector O
- City Dog Lover
Dear City Dog Lover -
Although many of us love our dogs and are not bothered when dogs dine with their owners, State regulation prohibits this. Under COMAR 10.15.03.09(4) live birds and animals are not allowed in any area of a food facility where food is prepared, stored or served. The only exception to this prohibition is service dogs.
- Inspector O
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
