2024 Spring Retail Food Newsletter

Rock County, Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 04/18/2024 10:30 AM CDT

2024-2025 Facility Permit Renewals

Renewals will be mailed out in early May and all fees are due by June 30, 2024

If received July 1st through July 10th - $90 late fee
If received July 11th through July 15th - $110 late fee
Facilities that do not renew by July 15th are subject to closure

Spring Maintenance

Spring is here and summer is right around the corner. Here are tips to help prevent the typical violations associated with the warming temperatures.

Cold Holding Equipment

Improperly maintained refrigerators coupled with warmer temperatures often lead to unsafe food holding temperatures.

Have equipment professionally serviced
Clean condensers
Ensure door gaskets are clean and in good repair
Ensure thermometers are working and easily visible

Pest Control

Rodents and insects become more abundant starting in the spring, increasing the chances of infestation and contamination.

Inspect for and seal gaps around windows and doors
Ensure window and door screens are in good repair
Store food in tightly sealed containers
Ensure trash cans and dumpsters are always covered
Deep clean food areas, especially underneath cooking equipment
Team up with a pest control company for routine service

Food Preparation Practices and Procedures

Warmer weather usually means indoor kitchen temperatures are hotter. This means time-temperature control (TCS) foods that are removed from refrigeration for preparation are at a greater risk of being in the danger zone for disease causing bacteria growth.

Portion out bulk TCS cold foods and only use small portions for prep
Ensure cooked foods are cooled properly
Minimize how much time TCS foods are in the "Danger Zone"

Interesting Wisconsin Food Facts

WI cranberry growers annually harvest enough cranberries to supply every man, woman, and child in the world with 26 cranberries each.

Cheeseheads: Colby cheese originated in the our state (in Colby, WI of course). We have the only Master Cheese Maker program outside of Sweden. We are the only state that still produces limburger cheese.

There is currently a proposed bill that would prohibit restaurants from serving a product labeled as "maple syrup" unless it is entirely maple syrup. If passed, violators could face fines of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000.

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