What Is New In Food and Housing

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On January 23, 2018, the County ended the public health emergency declared in September 2017 in response to the local Hepatitis A outbreak. The action does not mean the outbreak is over, and the County will continue efforts it has taken to control the spread of the disease. The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) is providing you information below on the continuing steps you can take to protect yourself, food handlers, and restaurant customers from becoming ill.


Here's the latest County News Center story regarding the end of the local health emergency.

We've also created a handout on Guidelines for Food Operations during an increase of Influenza (Flu) Illness.

To prevent the spread of Hepatitis A:

  • Ensure employees are handwashing with soap and warm water after using the bathroom, before preparing, serving, or eating food, switching tasks, and after any possible contamination.
  • Regularly clean restrooms (staff and public) and common areas of your restaurant using a bleach solution that contains 5000 ppm (1 and 2/3 cups bleach in 1 gallon water) allowing 1 minute of contact time and then rinse with water. Have staff wear disposable gloves while cleaning and wash their hands after removing the gloves. Click to learn how to prevent and control Hepatitis A. Información en Español.

  • Do not allow food handlers to work when ill or return to work until they have been symptom-free for two days. Click for information on food handlers Hepatitis A vaccinations in English, en Español, Arabic, Farsi, Tagalog, Vietnamese and Chinese.

If you have questions regarding this outbreak or would like additional information on handwashing and cleaning procedures, please contact DEH’s Epidemiology Liaison at (858) 505-6814.

Hepatitis A Disinfection Guidelines:

See our  fact sheet about Hepatitis A symptoms and resources. 

Guidance for Food Facilities: English (PDF).

Feel free to print and post Handwashing Posters in your facility: English   en Español/Spanish

Learn more about the Outbreak and frequently asked questions.

Click for more information regarding sanitation procedures for public right-of-ways, such as sidewalks, streets, and gutters.

 RECALLS


04/23/18 - Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Romaine Lettuce

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona growing region could be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 and could make people sick.

  • At this time, no common grower, supplier, distributor, or brand has been identified.
  • Do not buy or eat romaine lettuce at a grocery store or restaurant unless you can confirm it is not from the Yuma, Arizona, growing region.
  • Unless the source of the product is known, consumers anywhere in the United States who have any store-bought romaine lettuce at home should not eat it and should throw it away, even if some of it was eaten and no one has gotten sick. Product labels often do not identify growing regions; so, throw out any romaine lettuce if you’re uncertain about where it was grown. This includes whole heads and hearts of romaine, chopped romaine, and salads and salad mixes containing romaine lettuce. If you do not know if the lettuce is romaine, do not eat it and throw it away.

·         For more information please see the CDC’s Advice to Consumers, Restaurants, and Retailers.

 RECENT PROGRAM UPDATES


To learn more about permitting requirements and food safety when providing food during sporting league events, please take a look at our new “Eat Safe! Play Safe! Guide for Food Sales and Service at Sporting Events”.

To learn more about food safety when handling surplus foods that will be donated, please read our new “Too Good To Waste Guide for Food Safety of Donated Foods”.


As of July 2017, our Plan Check Unit is now accepting Online Plan submissions. Instructions on how to submit your facility plans online. For more information regarding our Plan Check Unit, please visit www.sdcountyplancheck.org. Click for Food Program or Pool Program.


Cottage Food Operations

For more information, please visit our Cottage Food Program.

 

Direct Sales Catering

For more information, please visit our Direct Sales Catering Program.


On November 9, 2016, voters passed Proposition 67, banning retailers from providing single use plastic bags. Many grocery-store shoppers have been surprised at the checkout stands. The County of San Diego, Food and Housing Division encourages you to remember to Clean, Separate  and properly  Store your reusable bags afer each use.