KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - A revised food code is in store for King County later this year, potentially affecting the food safety practices at the 10,000 food establishments permitted by Public Health - Seattle & King County. Proposed changes to the current food code are designed to strengthen food safety.
Code revisions include changes to reheating and hot holding temperatures, and new methods to avoid cross contamination. A new requirement calls for a "person in charge" to be present at all times in a restaurant, with the responsibility for ensuring that ill workers are excluded from work and that all food workers follow the food safety regulations.
Two public meetings next week will give the public the opportunity to discuss and give feedback to the proposed changes. The meetings are scheduled for:
The new food code is based on the federal Food and Drug Administration's 2001 Model Food Code, and will be used with some local modifications throughout the state of Washington. To become law in King County, the new code must be adopted by the King County Board of Health. Before adopting the new food code, the Board of Health will review comments made by the public during the meetings.
For more information:
