 Friday, August 18, 2023
Food inspectors make sure the state fair's fare is safe
 Public Health and Wellness food inspectors Grace Ellis and Scott Nethery, inset, conducted food inspections with vendors at last year's Kentucky State Fair. Before the fair gates open every year, vendors are required to obtain both local and state temporary food service permits and complete a food safety training class and pass an opening inspection.
The Kentucky State Fair kicks off at 8 a.m. on August 17, and employees from the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness’ Food Safety Program will be there inspecting food vendors to make sure that food safety is at the top of their menus.
During the fair’s 11-day run, inspectors will make more than 1,300 inspections of food vendors. They will also provide food safety training to more than 300 food workers before and during the opening days of the fair.
Before buying food, fairgoers should also consider:
- If the booth or concession stand is clean
- If employees are washing their hands in the hand-washing sink.
- If employees are wearing gloves or using tongs when handling food.
- If employees are wearing hair restraints like hats, visors or hair nets.
- If the employees are washing their hands between duties such as taking money then preparing food.
- If there is a refrigerator on site for raw ingredients and pre-cooked foods.
- If the concession has a recent inspection, permit and food service training certificate posted.
Food vendors can find information about Kentucky State Fair food service requirements, the online food safety course and how to obtain a temporary food service permit here.
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Families can Rock N Relax at the state fair
 For the 32nd year, Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW)’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is teaming up with Baptist Health to sponsor the Rock N Relax area at the Kentucky State Fair.
Rock N Relax is a quiet, comfortable place where moms can breastfeed or pump, and families can change their little ones’ diapers from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The private area includes rocking chairs, changing tables, free wipes, and diapers in various sizes.
“Rock N Relax offers a little bit of quiet time for parents and their children while they are spending time at the state fair,” said Robin Gillespie, WIC Administrator at LMPHW. “The room is an ideal opportunity for families to learn more about the benefits of our WIC program.”
The Rock N Relax area can be found in the lobby area in the South Wing at the fairgrounds.
Stay healthy at the state fair's animal exhibits
 Children can learn a lot from animals and visiting the Kentucky State Fair can be educational and fun for them. However, it’s important to make sure they stay safe and healthy while they’re trying to pet and engage with some of those fine furry, feathered and four-legged friends.
Certain animals are likely to spread germs or might not have the right temperament around children. Some of the most common harmful germs people get from animals at exhibits are E. coli O157, cryptosporidium, and salmonella, but there are also many other types of germs that can spread between animals and people. Children 5 years old and younger, people with weakened immune systems and adults over 65 years of age are more likely to get sick from the germs animals can carry and should take extra precautions at animal exhibits.
Follow these tips to have a healthy and wildly fun time at the state fair:
- Wash your hands with soap and water after touching an animal, its food, or its habitat (cage, terrarium, aquarium, etc.) Frequent hand washing any day is an effective way to help prevent the spread of germs and diseases. Running water and soap are best, but if they are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol and wash your hands with soap and running water as soon as you can.
- Children should not touch animals without adult supervision.
- Don’t share your food with the animals, even if you think the food is part of the animal’s regular diet. Animals should eat the food provided for them by the animal exhibit.
- Children should not kiss or hold the animals close to their faces. Let kids show love in other ways, like giving the pet a treat.
Everyone should avoid taking food or drink inside the animal exhibits, and parents are reminded not to take toys, pacifiers, cups, or baby bottles to animal areas.
Make a difference in public health
 Are you interested in improving the health and wellness of all residents of our city? If the answer is yes, we invite you to be a part of a dedicated team. Please apply today.
For more information, please email LMPHWCareers@louisvilleky.gov.
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