The CDC has reported about 48 million cases of food borne illnesses per year in the U.S.
About 70 percent of those occur in food service operations, like restaurants.
The Bismarck Burleigh health department held a free course for anyone interested in getting up to date on recent changes.
There are two main changes food service providers in the Bismarck Burleigh area need to be equipped for.
Previously, hand washing signs were encouraged, but not required. Now they are required.
Anton Sattler; Environmental Health Administrator: “And the other is for food establishments to use a mechanical dishwasher that has a hot water sanitizer, they have to have a measuring device, like a thermometer or a temp label to measure it.”
This is to make sure the water is hot enough to clean the dishes.
Sean Jacobson attended Wednesday’s food safety course, and shared some of the common violations he’s seen when he is the customer.
Sean Jacobson; Certified Food Protection Manager for Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center: “Hand washing is a big one, you just don’t even think about it. Even though you’re wearing gloves, doesn’t necessarily mean that you didn’t wash your hands and you put on gloves, those gloves can be soiled. And then, stuff you probably don’t see is cross contaimenation.”
Not wearing a hair net and not dating perishable food items were also said to be common violations.
Sattler says the course is entirely voluntary, but Public Health had such an overwhelming interest in the course, the had to create another course date to accommodate everyone hoping to attend.
Anton Sattler; Environmental Health Administrator: “Because these places serve the public, they’re held to a higher standard.”
If you’re interested in seeing how your favorite restaurant is holding up against local food codes, you can go to your city’s website and see their violations for yourself.
Here are some for Bismarck restaurants, this might make you think twice on where you eat.
