Actions Taken
Depending upon the conditions observed during the time of inspection, several enforcement actions may be taken.
Voluntary Closure
Under extreme unsafe and unsanitary conditions, the operator is asked to close the facility. Under Voluntary Closure they may reopen as soon as the condition(s) is corrected and upon notifying the health department. A compliance inspection will be conducted by the health department to confirm the conditions no longer exist. These conditions may be due to some of the following:
- Extreme unsanitary conditions
- Extreme pest infestation
- Water supply not adequate
- Critical pieces of food equipment not functioning
Summary Suspension
When an imminent health hazard exists that can not be corrected within a reasonable time period, the health department immediately closes the facility. These conditions include but are not limited to the following:
- No hot water available in a facility that prepares or serves unpackaged food
- Sewage backup into the facility
- Insufficient refrigeration or hot hold storage equipment
- Evidence of pests in food or on food preparation surfaces
- Interruption of safe, potable water
- Foodborne disease outbreak linked to the facility
- Interruption of electrical service for more than 4 hours
- Severe structural damage
- Employee working with Salmonella typhi, Shigella, E.coli 0157:H7, or Hepatitis A
- Other imminent hazards as determined by the health department
Revocation Notice
This notice is issued to a facility that has had three consecutive non-compliant inspections or chronic repeat critical violations. The facility may request a hearing within 10 days before a hearing panel made up of a Board of Health member and two members from the Food Advisory Council. If no hearing is requested by the end of 10 days, the food establishment license is revoked and the facility may no longer operate. The hearing panel may decide to uphold the revocation, temporarily suspend the license, place the facility on probation or take no action. Either party may appeal the hearing panel's decision to the City Council.
Self Inspection
This document is provided to the operator as a tool for them to conduct their own daily food safety inspections to help ensure they are meeting code requirements
Reinspection Within
This is marked when a facility is in non-compliance and indicates that a compliance inspection will occur within the specified time period.
Follow-Up Notice
This notice is issued to the facility when, after an inspection is complete, there still exits critical violations that can not be corrected during the inspection. The operator must make the correction within 24 hours, indicate it on the Notice form, and return it to the Health Department.
Warnings
Warning are issued as a firm reminder that if current conditions continue or occur on subsequent inspections that misdemeanor citations may be issued.
Tickets
This indicates that misdemeanor citations were issued to the facility for repeat violations. Depending on the municipality the fine may be $150.00 to 500.00 per offense. Other penalties may be issued at the discretion of the presiding judge, for repeat offenders