Desert Messenger

P��� 18 ���.D�����M��������.��� Food Safety: special events require special permits from county LA PAZ COUNTY,- The La Paz County Health Department would like to remind residents that Temporary Food Establishment Permits that are required for special events in La Paz County. Many churches, charity, non-profits, social groups and organizations are getting ready for their annual fundraisers and community gatherings. If those events involve food, a Temporary Food Establishment Permit is likely required by the Arizona Food Code. How do you know if your event needs a temporary permit? It all comes down to if you are selling or giving food away to the public. Events such as: • Community BBQs • Fry Bread Fundraisers • Hamburger Sales • Chili Cook-Offs • Food Booths at Fairs These operating permits are required to insure standard food safety practices are in place and followed by the organizer and food handlers. People participating as food handlers should have a basic knowledge of food safety before a food event is planned by the orga- nization. The simpler the menu, the safer and easier it will be. “There are Environmen- tal Health staff at the Health Department who are ready to assist in understanding the application and information requirements,” says Cathleen Turnbow, Public Information Officer. “Contact the Health Department to discuss and schedule a time to go over the FULL SERVICE HAIR CARE Nails by Jo Tanning Bed Open Mon.-Fri. Sat. by appt. 735 W. Cowell, Quartzsite 928-927-5400 Quality RV MOVED! See us in our new location! INTERSTATE BATTERIES Deep Cycle requirements and paperwork but make sure the application is completed and submitted at least 15 days prior to event so that the Health Department staff has time to read and review.” The exemption to the required permit is a Bake Sale that is a function for a religious or charitable organization. Bake sales gener- ally do not need a temporary permit as long as the foods are cookies, cakes, brownies and other baked goods, and are not poten- tially hazardous. Bake Sales are required to post a sign that states the food was cooked in a home kitchen and has not been inspect- ed by the Health Department. One example of an event needing a permit is a community hot dog sale. A group that wants to fundraise by selling hotdogs should have all volunteers who are handling food get a food handler’s card, Temporary Food Establishment Permit and ensure all vol- unteers are using safe procedures. Hotdogs may be pre-cooked but can carry Listeria. Listeria can cause fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. In pregnant women Listeria can cause miscarriages. Cooking hotdogs to a temperature of at least 145 de- grees kills the bacteria. “Food safety is very important for the health of the public and for the protection of the volunteers working with food,” explained Joyce McCluskey Chief Sanitarian for the La Paz County Health Department. “We are reading stories in the news where food that was not cooked properly for a community event sickens hundreds of people.” A recent article in the Washington Post highlighted a case of E.coli contamination in meatballs. The meatballs were under- cooked at a community dinner. 17 people O������ 20, 2010 were sick and one person died from the E.coli contamination. The source was traced to a meatpacking company several victims sued the company. That meatpacking com- pany is now suing the church volunteers who prepared the meatballs. The Temporary Food Establishment Per- mit application has recently been updated to reflect community events that are prepping and selling more complicated food such as burritos, chili, tamales - food products that have many steps and many risk factors. Temporary food booths need to provide information on the food to be served, and how the food will be cooked/cooled/trans- ported, the equipment used to cook/cool the food, the serving layout and structure, details on the hand washing station, infor- mation on cleanup of equipment, and the Person in Charge. A Person in Charge who is knowledge- able of food safety and can make decisions about food handling practices in the booth must be present at all times of operation. In addition, all people handling food in the booth must have a current La Paz County Food Handlers card. The applicant must prove that they have a basic knowledge of food safety, have the necessary equipment and facilities, and can prep, cook, and serve their proposed menu in a safe and healthy manner. All food service vendors at these events must obtain a Temporary Food Establish- ment Permit through the Health Depart- ment. A temporary food booth is a food es- tablishment and must follow Arizona Food Code. For more information on obtaining a Tem- porary Food Establishment Permit please call 928-669-1100. Generator Repair 70 W. Main St. • Quartzsite • The BIG YELLOW BUILDING! ONSITE & IN-SHOP RV REPAIRS JUST IN TIME FOR WINTER! Ceramic Brick Propane Heaters! Single-brick and 2-brick BLU FLAME HEATERS, TOO! COMPLETE PARTS DEPARTMENT 928-927-3490 12 YEARS IN QUARTZSITE! RV Appliances Furnaces Propane Stoves Install Hitches, Tow Bars Electrical Troubleshooting Refrigerators A/C Systems Welding Plumbing ◆ ONAN ◆ GENERAC ◆ KOHLER ◆ PORTABLES FOR REPAIRS, CALL BOB 623-224-7655 WE’VE

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