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By Andy Linton, Division Manager of the ESD Environmental Health Division
We are excited to announce that we are rolling out new
marketing materials for our Cutting Edge Program. Staff has been distributing “A+ Cutting Edge” promotional materials, which
include an annual recognition award, promotional poster, and decals.
You can see the new Cutting Edge program logo in the Link included further below. The
goal of these marketing materials is to increase public awareness of the
Cutting Edge Program and its benefits. As a partner in the Cutting Edge,
we count on you to advertise your food safety efforts by posting these materials
in your establishments. We would like the public to understand and
recognize that Cutting Edge participants are taking food safety to the next
level!
Other exciting news is that we will also be launching a
mobile friendly restaurant ratings tool that features Cutting Edge participants
and will help customers identify and locate your business easier.
Following
the posting of the new “A+ Cutting Edge” marketing materials in your
establishment, these items and the mobile friendly restaurant ratings tool that
features the Cutting Edge will be presented to the media and the public through
our different outreach efforts and social media tools.
To access the NEW Cutting Edge marketing materials Click on the Links below:
View the new Cutting Edge TV Public Service announcements by Clicking Links below:
By Johnny Diloné, Public Information Officer
Maricopa County Environmental Services Department (MCESD) was honored with the Model Practice Award at the 2015 Annual Conference of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). The award celebrates local health-related departments for developing programs that demonstrate exemplary and replicable best practices in response to a critical local public health need. The Cutting Edge Food Partnership Program was one of 19 local health-related department programs to receive NACCHO’s prestigious Model Practice Award.
The Cutting Edge Food Partnership Program helps food-related operators with gaining more “Active Management Control” in their establishments and creates a preventive rather than reactive approach to food safety, allowing inspectors to focus on the establishments that might pose greater health risks..
“We are proud to receive NACCHO’s Model Practice Award. The award is evidence of our commitment to developing responsive and innovative public health programs that assist in ensuring the health of local residents,” said Steven Goode, MCESD Director.
"This national recognition underscores that the Cutting Edge is positively impacting the health and safety of our community, and has shaped the future of our food inspection program," added Andy Linton, MCESD Environmental Health Division Manager.
 The Environmental Services Department's The Cutting Edge Food Safety Partnership program was also the recipient of a 2014 Achievement Award granted by the National Association of Counties (NACo) in the category of Health.
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 By Bryan Hare, Managing Supervisor of E.H. Central Regiopnal Office
The micro market permit type and fees were just approved by
the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on July 22, 2015 and they are as follows:
·
Micro
Market Reference Plan $270 (One-time fee assuming all
additional locations are similar in general layout (i.e. equipment, size, and
menu)
·
Micro
Market Operating Permit $155/location (Annual fee)
·
Micro
Market Permit Processing Fee $20/location (One-time fee)
For information on applying for a micro market permit
click on the links below:
·
Micro Market Application Guide
·
Micro Market Permit Application
If you have not seen a micro market or know what it is,
chances are you will very soon as the concept has been gaining popularity over
the last couple of years. A micro market is defined by Maricopa County
Environmental Services Department as “an unattended retail food establishment
where commercially prepackaged, time/temperature control for safety foods or
ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables are offered for sale.”
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These unattended retail food establishments usually operate
in closed locations, meaning a business that has a secure facility for a known
group of employees or guest, such as office break rooms, manufacturing plants, warehouses,
etc. A micro markets allows for
self-checkout, hence they are unattended locations with no employee(s) present.
The customer pays with a single payment, be it cash, credit card or stored
value card. Micro markets are under 24 hour video surveillance, for security
purposes, and the equipment has automatic shutoffs should the temperature of
the units go above 41°F.
In a typical micro market you may find fresh crisp salads
and fruit, deli sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, subs, soups, microwavable
meal options, beverages, snacks, ice cream, and candies. The variety of foods
along with the convenience for employees and guest at the workplace make this a
great option.
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 By Vas Hofer, Managing Supervisor of E.H. Permitting Services
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved changes to the Environmental Health Code to allow new owners of existing food establishments to remain in business for up to 30 days while their permit application review is in progress. This regulatory change was originally suggested by the Ad Hoc Task Force Committee on June 9, 2014 and put forth as a change that would better serve industry. The change goes into effect immediately and does not require any fee changes.
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Things to Know:
1.
The prior owner must
hold a valid permit at the time of the ownership change.
2.
The new owner must
submit a 30 Day Transition Application to the Department prior to the change of ownership.
3.
The New Owner must
first receive written approval from the Department prior to operating.
4.
If applying for
multiple permits, separate applications are required for each permit.
5.
The new owner must
not conduct any operation that requires a variance without prior approval.
6.
The new owner must
be in good standing with the Department (i.e. no outstanding legal actions or
unpaid balances).
7.
The new owner must agree
to immediately cease operations if any of the following occur:
a. An imminent health hazard such as fire,
flood, electrical or water outage, sewage backup, misuse of poisonous or toxic
materials, onset of an apparent foodborne illness outbreak, gross insanitary
occurrence or condition, or other circumstance that may endanger public health.
b. Evidence of live insect and/or vermin
activity.
c. Missing or inoperable plumbing fixtures
essential to facility operations, such as hand sinks and warewashing equipment.
d. Inadequate supply of hot and cold water.
e. Insufficient, inadequate, or unapproved
food temperature control equipment.
8.
The new owner shall
abide by the responsibilities of a permit holder as referenced in the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration 2013 Food Code § 8-304.11.
Please contact the ESD Plan Review Program with any
questions at (602) 506-6980.
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By Andy Linton, Division Manager of the ESD Environmental Health Division
Do you ever
have questions about food safety requirements, your inspection reports, or
how to provide feedback on the job we’re doing? The Department has created several avenues
for you to do this. First, check out
your inspection report. The name, phone
number, and e-mail address of your inspector and their supervisor are printed
at the end of each report. Because the
inspector and supervisor are already familiar with your business, this may be
the best way to get answers and information specific to your operation.
The
Department has also established single points of contact for food service
industry classes – full service restaurants, quick service restaurants,
grocery/convenience stores, and mobile food/special events/vending. These contacts are subject matter experts and
are able to field question, concerns, and coordinate information across
multiple offices. You may find these
contacts particularly helpful with ensuring information is disseminated and
applied consistently to multiple locations throughout the county.
The Department representative assigned to
each of the industry segments are as follows:
Industry Contact Person
Full Service Restaurants
Jaime Viñarás
(480) 483-4703, #201
fullservicerestaurants@mail.maricopa.gov
Quick Service Restaurants
Bryan Hare
(602) 506-6976
quickservicerestaurants@mail.maricopa.gov
Grocery/Convenience Stores
Shikha Gupta
(623) 939-5788, #201
mailto:retailgrocery@mail.maricopa.gov
Mobile Food/Special Events/Vending
Vas Hofer
(602) 506-6986
specialtyprograms@mail.maricopa.gov
Finally, you
can report environmental concerns, take a customer survey, and browse through a
wealth of helpful resources by visiting esd.maricopa.gov.
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 Follow Us, Like Us, Watch Us and More!
Maricopa County Environmental Services department is constantly working to make effective use of social media. You can subscribe to our YouTube channel, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter, and now also on Pinterest!
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