food sanitation

Food Allergies? The Westchester County Board of Health, at its meeting on November, 20, 2008, voted to amend Article V, Foods, of the Westchester County Sanitary Code by adding section 873.582. Food service establishments; Food Allergy Notification Food Allergy Labels Food Allergy Notification Law

Public health sanitarians aim to promote healthy people and communities through education and regulation of food service establishments.

Did you know that there are about 4,000 food establishments in Westchester County, including restaurants, mobile food carts and deli's?

State and County Sanitary Codes are enforced by public health sanitarians to ensure that the public is served food that is healthy and safely prepared. Restaurants and mobile food vendors receive unannounced inspections routinely throughout the year. Random samples of milk, frozen desserts and utensils are taken to find and correct possible food contamination. In 2001, sanitarians performed approximately 9,724 inspections in Westchester County.

Working with public health nurses and physicians, sanitarians promptly investigate incidents of suspected foodborne disease. Public health sanitarians also respond to fires involving food service establishments. As a result of fire damage, sanitarians may order food products to be condemned or destroyed.

Restaurateurs who want to perform major renovation or construction of food service establishments must have their proposed plans approved first to assure that appropriate equipment and procedures are in place.

Food service owners and operators attend a Food Handler's Training course designed and developed by this Department. Since the course began in 1985, thousands of food service operators have attended intensive classes, presented in cooperation with Westchester Community College.

The Health Department is active in assuring that mass gatherings and public functions maintain safe and healthful conditions.

Important Phone Numbers:
Westchester County Health Department - Food borne illness complaint: (914) 813-5000 (public health complaints and 24 hour emergency phone line)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Complaints: (425) 483-4949
National Meat and Poultry Hotline: 1-(800) 535-4555
New York State Restaurant Association: 1-(800)-452-5212
New York State Department of Health: 1-(800)-458-1158