Welcome to the Spring 2021 issue of Consumer Health and Food Safety Newsletter

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April 1, 2021 - Vol. 1, No. 2

mask up

Masks still required throughout Pima County, Health Department and County Attorney say

The Pima County Attorney’s Office, in a March 26 letter to County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry, says Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey does not have to legal authority to prevent the County Health Department from enacting reasonable public health measures.

Therefore, according to Deputy County Attorney Jonathan Pinkney, Resolution 2020-96 passed by the Board of Supervisors Dec. 4, is still in effect. The Resolution mandates everyone in Pima County over the age of 5 must wear a face mask over their nose and mouth, unless they have a qualifying exemption or are able to maintain physical distance.

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vaccines

Understanding COVID-19 vaccinations in Arizona and Pima County

Don’t miss your shot to stop COVID-19 by better understanding COVID-19 vaccination eligibility requirements, the registration process and distribution system in the state of Arizona as the vaccine rollout progresses.

And remember, Frontline Essential Workers regardless of age, are eligible. This includes anyone working in food and agriculture; grocery, convenience stores and carnicerias; and restaurants and bars.

The County's vaccine webpage explains eligibility, how to register, and distribution details.

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Michele Garsha

Meet the Team: Michele Garsha

Our Consumer Health and Food Safety Department is a team made up of a lot of dedicated, hard-working individuals. In this issue, and in future editions of the newsletter, we'd like you to meet them.

Learn what drew Michele Garsha, an environmental health specialist, to Pima County.

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handout

CHFS Handouts now available for download

Consumer Health and Food Safety now offers handy reference material and handouts for our partners to print and use in their establishments. All of the items come from the current edition of the CHFS New Operator Handout Booklet used in our Food Certification classes.

Feel free to display these materials in staff areas to encourage best practices or use them to prepare for an inspection. We hope they help.

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mobile food truck

Cruising … with Mobile Foods - Permit Types

The Mobile Food trend keeps rolling here in Southern Arizona where a sunny day can be counted on more than 300 days a year.

Consumer Health and Food Safety hopes to keep your operation on the road by helping you better understand how the permitting system works.

The Pima County Mobile Food Code classifies Mobile Food Units (MFUs) based on the type of food dispensed and the amount of handling and preparation required.

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temperature check

What the COVID-19 pandemic can teach us about preventing food- borne illness

Over the last year, the whole country has become familiar with new words and expressions like “masking,” “social distancing” and “zoom meeting,” but Consumer Health and Food Safety hopes one term in particular will continue to be relevant: “wellness checks.”

Last year the Pima County Board of Supervisors passed the Temporary COVID-19 Minimum Health Standards for Business Proclamation, which included provisions calling for all food establishments to implement wellness checks, including temperature checks, for all food service employees. The practice proved helpful in slowing the spread of COVID-19, and we hope it will remain beneficial to restaurants after the pandemic finally ends.

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farmers market

Jammin' at the Farmers Market

Recently I bought some strawberry rhubarb jam at a local farmer’s market; I ate half of the jar before I had the rest safely stowed away in my refrigerator. Homemade jam is now my “go to” gift for people I appreciate. It must be homemade, just not made in my home.

Regardless of whose kitchen it is made in, homemade jam falls under the jurisdiction of the Arizona State Cottage Food Program. Established in 2011, the program initially was a template to allow home cooks to make non-perishable food items, which do not require refrigeration, and sell them commercially.

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