Food Safety

Notice: We are not ready to apply for Phase 2 at this time. We are especially concerned about the increase in cases, the percent of our tests that are positive, the number of cases we cannot link to other cases, and a trend in increased hospitalizations. We are watching the data closely and talking with Multnomah and Clackamas counties about their data to determine how and when to apply for Phase 2.
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Restaurant owners: If you lose power please make sure you still have some sort of refrigeration to keep your food safe and consider that you might need to close or change operations. 

Restaurant patrons: If you go into a restaurant that has lost power and has no lighting, consider asking about how they are keeping food refrigerated and safe.

 

Please use the following link to access some helpful information from Oregon Health Authority:

 

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYENVIRONMENTS/

FOODSAFETY/Documents/PowerOutagerev.pdf

 

Washington County COVID-19 Information Page: https://www.co.washington.or.us/HHS/CommunicableDiseases/COVID-19/reopening.cfm

Washington County Phase 1 information Link: https://www.co.washington.or.us/HHS/News/washington-county-approved-for-phase-one.cfm

Enlace para información sobre La Fase 1 del Condado del Washington: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSF6W6UWddTEDkqrGeJYFDTEuMvyS5NtX51qAeIrRxr3iorWcLGTtMxurgbK5VQjA/pub 

Washington County has been approved to enter Phase 1 on June 1, 2020. The Environmental Health Program encourages our customers and operators to continue the use of our online services for licensing, onsite wastewater and child care. We would also encourage the use of phone and mail services to obtain Vital Records documents such as birth and death certificates.

 

In an effort to provide a safe environment for all, we highly recommend to use a facial covering when conducting business in-person. Starting June 24th, 2020 the use of facial covering is required while indoor public places. In-person waiting time may be increased due to new configuration to Environmental Health lobby to meet physical distancing requirement. Physical distancing of 6 feet is required and will be enforced by County staff.

 

To report a complaint of foodborne illness, please call us at 503-846-8722.

Most people do not think about foodborne illness until they become ill from unknowingly consuming contaminated food. While the food supply in this country is one of the safest in the world, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that roughly one in six Americans (or 48 million people) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne disease in the United States every year.

The estimated cost of foodborne illness in terms of pain and suffering, reduced productivity, and medical costs is 10-83 billion dollars annually. Pre-school age children, older adults, and those with impaired immune systems are at the highest risk of serious or long-term consequences from foodborne illness.

The goal of Washington County's Environmental Health Program is to protect the public's health by preventing foodborne illness. To meet this goal, Washington County licenses and inspects food service facilities to assure compliance with the Oregon Department of Human Services Food Sanitation Rules and provide education and Food Handler Certification.

Food safety inspections include observing kitchen workers' food handling practices, assuring equipment is working properly, measuring food temperatures, inspecting refrigerators and storage areas, assuring safe water availability, verifying the correct concentration and use of sanitizers, and evaluating general cleanliness. Follow-up inspections are conducted as needed.

Restaurant Inspection Scores are public record. A restaurant must receive a score of 70 to pass the inspection. Consumers can find a health inspection sign at the restaurant entrance. 

Food Handler Certification - Information and Testing Schedule

 

IMPORTANT: Dealing with a power outage at a food service establishment