Food Sanitation

 

The Food Establishments Rule, 64 CSR 17, was revised with an effective date of April 2, 2008.  The new Rule adopts the 2005 FDA model Food Code.  The new Rule replaces the former Rule dated July 1, 2000.

 

The FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition has initiated a program (ALERT) to raise the awareness of government and industry representatives regarding food defense issues and preparedness.  It applies to all aspects of the farm-to-table supply chain and is designed to spark thought and discussion with a variety of stakeholders.  ALERT identifies five key points that industry and businesses can use to decrease the risk of intentional food contamination at their facility. 

 

Permitting and inspecting Food Service Establishments in West Virginia is the responsibility of the Local Health Departments.  All inquires regarding application for a permit, request for an inspection, or filing a complaint should be made to your local health department.

 

West Virginia's Food Establishment Rule, effective April 2, 2008, governs retail food establishments such as restaurants, retail food stores, school lunch programs, temporary food stands, mobile food units, and food vending machines. 

The rule incorporates, by reference, the majority of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) 2005 Model Food Code.
To download or obtain the full text of the FDA's 2005 Food Code, go to the FDA's Food Code page. 

To obtain a copy of West Virginia's Food Establishment Rule:
note - this document is not the Food Code, it lists the changes made to the FDA 1999 Food Code when adopted in West Virginia:

1.  Follow this link to the West Virginia Secretary of State's website,
2.  Scroll to the bottom of the page,
3.  Click on either WordPerfect or MS Word format to download.

 

In the Forms section below, the SF-7 series are guides to the 2005 Food Code that outline the major requirements of the code.

 

Food Manufacturers

Note:  Effective December 12, 2003, facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food are required to register with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  For more information contact a Sanitarian in your District Office, or visit the FDA's Food Facility Registration web site. 
Home-based Food Manufacturers are exempt from the registration requirements.

The Public Health Sanitation Division is responsible for the inspection and approval of food manufacturers in West Virginia.  To obtain information on this program, contact the applicable District Office.

For food label approval, as well as business and product assistance, food manufacturers can contact the WV Department of Agriculture.

 

Food Safety Links

 

Food Sanitation Forms

• SF-3:  Food Service Establishment Regulations (link to WV Sec of State site for Rule download)

• SF-4:  Guidelines for Operating a Temporary Food Service Concession (booklet layout)

• SF-4:  Guidelines for Operating a Temporary Food Service Concession (portrait layout)

• SF-5:  Application for Permit to Operate a Food Service Establishment
• SF-5:  Application for Permit to Operate a Food Service Establishment (MS Word Fill-In)

• SF-7A:  Food Guide - 1999 Food Code

• SF-7B:  Equipment Guide - 1999 Food Code

• SF-7C:  Management and Personnel Guide - 1999 Food Code

• SF-7D:  Employee Health Guide - 1999 Food Code

• SF-7E:  Inspection Guide - 1999 Food Code
   
• Form 1-A:  Applicant and Food Employee Interview

• Form 1-B:  Food Employee Reporting Agreement

• Form 1-C:  Applicant and Food Employee Medical Referral
   

• SF-35:  Plan Review Information Report for Food Service Establishments (new or remodeled)

• 1999 Food Code Plan Review References - will be updated to 2005 in the near future, but many of the references will be the same

 

• Request for Food Filth Laboratory Analysis - Office of Lab Services

 

• Retail Food Establishment Emergency Flip Chart