Health Inspection Program
Lisa Brown , Program Manager
The Health Inspection Program exists to provide licensing and inspection services for a number of different types of businesses to regulate and protect the public health. Sanitarians from the department inspect licensed establishments thoughout the State on a regular basis for conformance with state rules.
Please be advised that the maximum fee for certain types of licenses increased from $150 to $175 effective July 1, 2008. See the fee breakdown on Page 4 of the Eating & Lodging License Application (HHE-602) on the Forms and Applications page for more details.
Emergency Consultation and Disease Reporting hotline.
For emergency after hours calls please call 1-800-821-5821.
Waiver for Health Supervisor for Day Camps
Maine CDC Cautions Food Workers About Potential Poster Scams
Maine restaurateurs and caterers appear to have been the targets of an alleged scam involving the sale of hand-washing posters.
This week, Dr. Dora Anne Mills, Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention within the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, said that an ‘official-looking letter’ that appears to have been issued by the Maine CDC’s Health Inspection Program requests that special hand-washing posters be purchased from a certain company for $19.95 each. The letter includes an 800 number that can be used to place an order.
“The Maine CDC did not issue these letters and there is no requirement to purchase these posters,’’ Mills said.
Maine law requires hand-washing signs to be posted over all hand-washing sinks to remind employees that they must wash their hands before returning to their work and before preparing or serving food, Mills said.
“Proper hand-washing is the best way to prevent disease and ensure that food is handled and prepared safely.”
For more information, please contact Maine CDC’s Health Inspection Program 287-5671 or www.mainepublichealth.gov
Free hand-washing signs are available on the Health Inspection Program website at http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/eng/el/site_files/handouts/Handwash.pdf
Training Opportunity
The Department accepts three nationally recognized Certified Food Manager courses that have been approved by the Conference of Food Protection.
Kellogg Company Announces Precautionary Hold on Austin and Keebler Branded Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
Kellogg Company announced it has taken the precautionary measure of putting a hold on Austin® and Keebler® branded Toasted Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Crackers, Cheese and Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, and Peanut Butter-Chocolate Sandwich Crackers.
Additional information on recalled food products is available from the U. S. Food and Drug Administration.
Virginia Graeme Baker Act
A copy of the U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission's information handout on the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act is now available. By December 19, 2008, ALL public pool owners/operators must:
• Install drain covers that meet the ANSI/ASME A112.19.8–2007 standard on EVERY drain/ grate. A list of cover manufacturers can be found at www.cpsc.gov/whatsnew.html#pool.
• Install an automatic shut-off system, gravity drainage system, Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS), suction-limiting vent system or disable the drain, if the pool operates off of a SINGLE main drain. Pools and spas with unblockable drains are exempt from this requirement. A list of SVRS manufacturers can be found at www.cpsc.gov/whatsnew.html#pool.
• Ensure that dual or multiple main drains are at least 3 feet apart.
APSP Career Institute Webinar on VGB Act and ANSI-7
The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals’s Career Institute has posted it’s webinar on the VGB Act and the ANSI-7 on the APSP homepage at www.APSP.org under “What’s New”. There is no cost to participate.
Also available is APSP’s latest flyer, “VGB Compliance Guide”. This flyer and much more timely information on the VGB Act is available for downloading at www.APSP.org/VGB.
Updated 04/13/09
