Food Service Safer in Wilkes and NC

Wilkes County residents dining out at local restaurants may not notice the changes, but their dining experience may soon be a little safer thanks to changes in North Carolina’s food safety code. The new rules are effective September 1.  “These new rules allow us to keep up with changes in food preparation techniques, while keeping public health and safety in mind,” said Wilkes County Public Health Director Ann Absher.  The new food code represents the most comprehensive change in North Carolina’s food protection standards in more than 30 years and establishes practical, science-based rules and provisions to help avoid food-borne illnesses, like noroviruses and salmonella.  Under the new rules, employees must avoid handling ready-to-eat food with their bare hands and all restaurants must have a certified food protection manager during hours of operation.  Restaurant owners also must establish employee health policies to ensure that an ill employee who has the potential to contaminate food is not involved in the preparation or serving of food.  Restaurant rating systems also will change under the new food code. Although sanitation rating cards showing the grade and score will continue to be posted, restaurants will no longer earn a bonus for completing voluntary food safety training since certification will be required.  Another change people will notice is that local food trucks and pushcarts will also be subject to the new food code rules and will be required to post a sanitation rating card.  Anyone interested in the new code can view it at:   www.WilkesHealth.com