Health Department Permits For Mobile Operations

I get a lot of questions regarding health permits from people , so I thought I would just write down what I know. Most of my information is about Ohio but a little bit about other states. If any of you want to participate and write up a paper about your experiences in your state, email it to me and I will include it in this publication.

INSPECTORS ARE PEOPLE TOO: First of all a little about health inspectors. Most of them are really nice people trying to help you maintain a safe environment in which to serve food products. Although Hawaiian Shave Ice is considered a non-hazardous food it still is important to provide a clean and sanitary environment. If you follow a few guidelines you will not have any problems. I have made quite a few friends in the health departments in Southern Ohio. If you treat them with respect and try to do your best to follow the guidelines you will have no problems.
WHAT YOU NEED: The basic components of a mobile operation include wash, rinse and sanitize sinks. You also must have a hand wash station. Your supplies will include dish soap, hand soap and a sanitizer. Most departments want you to use Clorox bleach as a sanitizer which must have the label on the bottle. Clorox has the ingredients to kill bacteria. You must also have test strips, paper towels, and plastic gloves (I use baggies). All food products must be kept off the ground. A pallet is good for this. That is it! Nothing difficult.
TEMPORARY HEALTH PERMITS: These permits are sold to be good for one day or one event. You apply for the permit prior to the event to the health district that applies. In Ohio we have county and sometimes city health departments. Fees vary by district. Warren County Ohio charges $5.00 for 10 business days. Cincinnati Ohio charges $76.00 per day! Quite a difference and I don't know why!
STATE MOBILE PERMITS: These permits are annual permits which are good anywhere in the state you operate. You pay a one time fee annually. Advantages are you don't have to apply for license at each event. You apply for these at the health department where your operation is from. Your own county or city. They will come over and inspect your trailer or cart or in Ohio, a tent mobile. They will check your equipment and operation as well as supplies. Fees will vary by jurisdiction. Warren County Ohio charges $111.00. Cincinnati Ohio charges $73.00. The local department upcharges state fees to offset the cost of their operation.
AT THE SITE: After you arrive at the event and have all of your equipment in place you must get ready to comply with the rules. Make sure you have your permit handy. Put water in your wash rinse and sanitize sinks (or buckets for a temporary license). Label as to which sink it is. Put dish soap in your wash sink, and depending on the size of sanitize sink a drop or two of the Clorox bleach. Swirl this around in your sanitize sink and use your test strip to measure the strength. Your test strip container will show the scale. Generally have enough bleach to make it about mid scale. Too much is as bad as not enough. Keep your test strips handy as your inspector will want to make sure you have them. Have your hand soap and paper towels with your hand sink. If you don't have hot and cold running water for a real hand sink you should have a container with a spigot and a bucket to catch the water.

Instruct your helpers on proper techniques. Also advise them that there is to be no smoking or eating and drinking within the booth. They must wash there hands frequently and especially after eating or smoking.

INSPECTION: Your health inspector will come to your booth at least once and sometimes several times during the event to make sure you are in compliance. Sometimes they will come when you are quite busy. It is difficult sometimes, but keep cool and you want have any problems. I see vendors yelling at inspectors and it absolutely does no good. Even if you are right you are wrong! Inspectors can legally shut you down. The best thing to do is fix what they want in a courteous manner. If you want to discuss the situation ask for their card and call them during the week. Their supervisors are also available for consultation.
WHERE TO GET INFORMATION: Call your local health department and advise them the type of operation you are going open. They will get you proper documentation on what to do. Hawaiian Shave Ice in some states do not require a permit because it is classified as a non-hazardous food. However it is still a good idea to follow these basic requirements. Your customer will appreciate it.

SOME TIDBITS OF INFORMATION:
In the state of Kentucky and Tennessee some districts require screening to combat insects.
State of New York wants covering such as tar paper on floor area.
Some states require NSF approved equipment. Hatsuyuki are NSF approved. California is strict on this.

BE PROFESSIONAL IN APPEARANCE AND CONDUCT!!

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