Each month, The Herald-Mail publishes the findings of initial food establishment inspections by the Washington County Health Department. Food service facilities are inspected on a regular basis to make sure they are following the regulations that govern such establishments.
Inspectors also conduct follow-up inspections and monitoring inspections, and investigate complaints and food-borne outbreaks.
Potentially hazardous food means any food rich in protein that will support the rapid growth and reproduction of food-borne disease microorganisms. All temperatures are measured in Fahrenheit.
Inspections are conducted at restaurants, nursing homes, schools, grocery stores and other places that serve food, including those that only are temporary such as fairs and carnivals.
Critical violations such as contaminated or spoiled food, improper temperatures of foods, improper cooking or no running water must be corrected immediately. Those items are marked with *.
