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Who’s That Doggy in the Window …
At My Favorite Restaurant
I’ve had a few complaints lately about dogs in restaurants, so I wanted to do a quick article on what is and is not allowed.
Can dogs be in restaurants? YUP! Service animals (dogs) are allowed to accompany their handlers into restaurants, but there are several rules for this.
The Benefits of a Consultation
The plan review process helps build a foundation of food safety into a business and increases the chance of passing future inspections. We recommend starting with a free in-person consultation, which can help streamline the process.
If an owner has a basic idea of what kind of food business they want to have, and a menu concept, they can stop by the Consumer Health and Food Safety (CHFS) office to ask for a consultation. After the owner lays out the food business concept, CHFS can provide feedback and give the potential business owner a chance to ask questions about the process before moving forward.
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Limited Food Manufacturing, Canning and Reduced Oxygen Packaging
So, you think you have the best salsa recipe… ever? Selling salsa made fresh is a relatively easy process, however, salsa prepared to be shelf-stable is a process called canning.
This article provides an overview of the approval process for shelf stability.
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Good Working Equipment: Keeping You Up and Running
It is that time of year where outside temperatures are rising, and equipment is struggling to keep up with demands. I am talking about refrigerators, walk ins, make units, and anything else we use to keep foods at safe temperatures.
Here are some tips for ensuring that your equipment is working well.
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The Pima County Vector Team: On the Frontlines in a Battle Against Pests and Disease
Whether they’re out in the field or nestled away in a lab within the Consumer Health and Food Safety (CHFS) division, the Pima County vector team works hard to mitigate and prevent the harm that pest- and disease-vector insects may pose to our community. The team has two primary responsibilities: responding to pest-related complaints (bedbugs, cockroaches, flying insects) and the routine monitoring of mosquitoes during mosquito season.
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Why Semi-Public Pools and Spas are Checked Twice a Day
According to Pima County Chapter 8.32.080-part E, all semi-public pools shall be equipped with approved test equipment to determine pH and disinfectant residual.
A semi-public pool is a pool or spa on the premises of a hotel, motel, country club, camp, health club, condominium, homeowner's association, or similar establishment where the primary business of the establishment is not the operation of the swimming facility and where the admission to use the pool is included in the fee or consideration paid or given for the primary use of the premises.
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Food Facility Risk Categorization
All facilities serving food in Pima County are put in a risk category based on a review of the food establishment’s menu, food preparation processes, and population served.
Identifying these different processes in a food establishment ensures the facility is inspected one to three times per year to protect public health. A review to ensure a facility is in the correct risk category occurs during the initial permitting process, as well as during routine inspections.
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Transporting Food to Catered Feeding Sites
A caterer is a business that prepares, cooks, and delivers food to clients at remote locations and events. Some of these clients (catered feeding sites) include business or organizations such as event centers, churches, childcare centers, charter, and private schools.
Clients that hire caterers are responsible for inquiring about how perishable food (Time/Temperature Control for Safety) is monitored during transportation. Monitoring food temperature is an important step to ensure public health and avoid food poisoning.
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Types of Inspections
Consumer Health and Food Safety (CHFS) has different inspections depending on what your facility is permitted as, and where it is in the permitting process. Standard Frequency Inspections begin once your facility is permitted. The inspections are based on a delegation agreement with Arizona Department of Health Services. Complaint and Enforcement Inspections can occur at any point a facility is open to protect public health.
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