News from the State!

Here is some news we received from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Remember — all Jefferson County inspectors will carry identification and should show it to operators at the time of your inspection.  There will also never be a charge to your establishment for routine inspections.

Attention: Scam Alert

It has been brought to our attention a scam that has been focused toward our restaurant industry. We wanted to pass along the information to ensure that you don't get ripped off!   An owner of a restaurant reported that they were contacted via phone by someone that was representing themselves as a "state inspector.” The following is the message/formal posting from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on the topic.     SCAM ALERT: Some restaurant owners have reported receiving a call from someone claiming to be an inspector. The caller said an inspection needed to be scheduled, and asked for a credit card payment to secure it. That's not us, folks. We do not charge for routine inspections. If you get a similar call, please report it to (303)-692-3645 ext. #1. All State and Local inspectors carry employee identification. If you ever want to verify if someone is a health inspector, call (303)-692-3645 ext. #1.

Food Waste

The USDA estimates that Food Waste in the United States accounts for 31 percent of all waste that ends up in landfills. That is equal to roughly 133 billion pounds of food. The breakdown of this food waste creates a greenhouse gas known as methane. When methane is released it traps up to 100 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide and has major impacts on climate change. Retail food establishments can cut down on food waste by maintaining a strict inventory, regular maintenance of food storage equipment and monitoring the temperatures of potentially hazardous food
products to ensure cold food is at or below 41°F and hot food stays at or above 135°F which will prevent perfectly good food from having to be thrown away. By keeping food out of the danger zone, we can keep it out of landfills. Many retailers and food manufacturers are teaming up to help cut food waste by 50 percent by the year 2030 and it is possible that you can join the fight and become a U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champion. Join the fight — click here

Dog Days of Summer

Although Summer is “over,” here in Colorado the weather can be even better in the Fall and Coloradans LOVE their outdoor activities!  Many of us consider our animals to be a part of the family, but please remember that only service animals are allowed in retail food establishments, this includes the patio area.  Check out the below from the Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations for some easy guidance on animals in restaurants and grocery stores:

• ·         A service animal is any dog or miniature horse that is trained to work or perform a task for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability.
• ·         The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler’s disability.
• ·         The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort or companionship DO NOT constitute work or tasks.