The Uncas Health District (UHD) plays an important but often unseen role in the 11 towns we serve. As we get closer to National Public Health Week, which runs April 7–13 this year, we wanted to let you know a little more about what we do in the community.
In this post, we’ll discuss how UHD works to maintain food safety. By ensuring that our cafeterias, restaurants, and other venues serving food are safe, we help prevent the spread of foodborne pathogens and other diseases that can impact public health.
Licensing and inspections
UHD is responsible for granting the proper licenses to food service establishments, and reviewing existing establishments to ensure that they are following all of the necessary protocols. Our work takes us everywhere that food is served: convenience stores, restaurants, schools, hospitals, and more.
We carefully review applications for new food service businesses, and offer resources on employee training, consumer advisories, and other essential information. The UHD team also conducts thorough inspections to ensure that all facilities are compliant with food safety regulations.
ServSafe certification
One of our key initiatives is offering the ServSafe Certified Food Protection Manager Course. This comprehensive program covers the fundamentals of food safety and regulatory compliance, equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to become certified food protection managers.
Why is this certification so important? State law mandates that any establishment serving food must have a certified food protection manager on duty at all times to ensure that food safety practices are being observed.
These managers play a critical role in public health by making sure that food is handled, prepared, and served properly. With these precautions, the possibility for the transmission of foodborne illnesses is greatly reduced. Certifications are valid for five years, guaranteeing that all establishments maintain an ongoing commitment to food safety.
Staying Ahead of Potential Risks
In addition to our regular duties, UHD remains vigilant in addressing potential food safety risks. We issue alerts on FDA food safety recalls and provide guidance on how to navigate potential disruptions — such as power outages or water contamination from storms — that could compromise food safety.