Food Service

Foodborne Illness Reporting

Ottawa County Environmental Health conducts investigations of reported illness connected with a licensed food service establishment in Ottawa County. Many food-related illnesses go unreported due to the mistaken belief the illness is the “24 hour flu”. Common foodborne illness symptoms consist of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and on average last 24-48 hours.

To report a foodborne illness, complete this questionnaire, save it to your computer and email as an attachment to the Ottawa County Health Department. (EMAIL TO: emiller@co.ottawa.mi.us and dvandeb@co.ottawa.mi.us. ) You can also complete, print and fax this form to (616) 393-5643. This form has many questions regarding what you have eaten over several days because the onset of foodborne illness symptoms often takes more than 12 hours, so the last meal you ate is not necessarily the one that made you ill. When reporting a foodborne illness, environmental health staff need the 72 hour meal history along with your symptoms and time of illness onset to identify a suspect food item.

If you have questions, call us at (616) 393-5645, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

More information on Foodborne Illness

Fixed Food Service License

A Fixed Food Service License is required for a fixed or mobile restaurant, coffee shop, cafeteria, short order cafe, luncheonette, grill, tearoom, sandwich shop, soda fountain, tavern, bar, cocktail lounge, nightclub, drive-in, industrial feeding establishment, private organization serving the public, rental hall, catering kitchen, delicatessen, theater, commissary, or similar place where food or drink is prepared for direct consumption through service on the premises or elsewhere, and any other eating or drinking establishment or operation where food is served or provided for the public. Fee Schedule.

Temporary Food Service

A Temporary Food Service License is required for a food service establishment which operates at a fixed location for no more than 14 consecutive days. One week advance notice prior to the event is necessary to schedule the required inspection. A temporary food service questionnaire must be completed (Temporary Food Service Application Form) and submitted along with the required fee to obtain this license (Fee Schedule). Other documents you may find useful for this license include a memo explaining fees, application for fee exemption, pre-event self inspection list, food checklist and the work schedule.

Special Transitory Food Units

A Special Transitory Food Unit (STFU) is a temporary food establishment that is licensed to operate throughout the state without the 14-day limits or a mobile food establishment that is not required to return to a commissary.

Vending Machines

A Vending Machine License is required for all self serve devices offered for public use that, upon activation by a coin, token, card, key or paper currency, dispenses unit servings of food or beverages. Licenses are not required for vending machines that dispense only bottled or canned beverages, other packaged non-perishable foods or bulk ball gum, nuts and candies. Contact the Ottawa County Health Department, Environmental Health Division at (616) 393-5645 to arrange for inspections and licenser of your machines.

Food Service Plan Review

A complete plan review (including ventilation) of all new and remodeled food service facilities shall take place prior to construction. Contact the Ottawa County Health Department, Environmental Health Division at (616) 393-5645 to obtain the plan review packet or download the following documents: Air Balance Report Form, Plan Review Application, Plan Review Instructions, Plan Review Worksheet, and Plan Review Manual.

Food Service Establishment Change in Owner or Lease

A food service establishment license is not transferable as to person or place. At least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the sale or change of owner/lease of an existing food service establishment, the prospective buyer, new owner, new leasee or the establishment must submit a completed “Ottawa County Change in Owner/Lease Information Form” and pay the required inspection fee of $250.00. Other documents that may be useful include the Standard Operating Procedures Memo, Complete Change of Owner Policy, and the Air Balance Report Form required for change of ownership.

Food Service Safety and Sanitation Test Study Guide

The Food Service Safety and Sanitation Test is required for all new food service operators to ensure the basic requirements of food safety and sanitation are introduced to applicants. Additional trainings is always encouraged. The test is administered in the Holland Office only between 8 am and 4 pm. It may also be taken on-site prior to inspection and licensing of a temporary food event. It is suggested that the test be taken with sufficient time to spare. There is no fee for the test. Frequently asked questions and the study guide are listed below.

Who is required to take the test? The �person in charge� (PIC) of any new food service facility. Those PIC�s who have previously held a food service license in Ottawa County, or have completed a food service program approved by the Michigan Department of Agriculture (proof of successful completion required), or the Ottawa County You Hold the Key to Sanitation or Leading the Way to Food Safety training program (including passing the course test) are not required to take this test.

How many questions are on the test? There are 15 questions on the test and 12 must be answered correctly to pass. Two attempts at passing the test are allowed within a 24 hour period. Failure to pass after two attempts requires attendance at one of the monthly Leading the Way to Food Safety training programs prior to being a PIC.

How difficult is the test? Knowledge of the basic information in the Food Service Safety and Sanitation study guide will enable you to pass the test. Click here for the study guide.

May I have assistance in taking the test? A translator, if necessary, is the only assistance that may be used.

Michigan Food Law

Michigan has adopted the 2005 FDA Food Code, effective April 1, 2008. Click here for detailed information about the 2005 Food Code and Michigan Food Law. Click here for information regarding the key changes to the Michigan Food Law. The Food Code specifies that the permit holder is responsible for requiring conditional employees or food employees to report certain symptoms, diagnoses, and past illnesses, as they relate to diseases transmitted through food by infected workers. The conditional employee or food employee is personally responsible for reporting this information to the person in charge. Forms 1-A, 1-B and 1-C are designed to assist those responsible for managing employees in order to prevent foodborne disease.

Leading the Way to Food Safety Training

Leading the Way to Food Safety Training covers basic food sanitation concepts such as hand washing, hygiene, employee illness, food contact, utensils, temperatures, safe cooking and cooling, date marking, food handling, storage and other topics. Training employees to better understand and implement food safety concepts can lead to better inspection outcomes and reduce the risk of foodborne illness. The class is approximately 3 hours long. Participants must take a test to successfully complete the class. There is no charge for the class if taken at the Holland Ottawa County Health Department. See the 2008 Training Schedule for dates and times. The class is also offered at your location for a fee. Please call 393-5645 for rates. Food service establishments who choose to train over 25 percent of their employee may be eligible for our Leading the Way to Food Safety Public Recognition Program.

Leading the Way to Food Safety Public Recognition

Food establishments in Ottawa County are encouraged to apply for public recognition when 25 percent or more of their employees have successfully completed the Leading the Way to Food Safety Training and 25 percent or more the establishment’s managers have current manager certification such as ServSafe, NSF Health Guard Professional Food Manager, or other Michigan approved Manager Certification. See the Leading the Way to Food Safety Training Verification Log and Application for more details of the requirements. Successful food service establishments will receive a door decal, certificate, and be listed on-line. Congratulations to Applebee's in Holland, the first establishment to become a Leading the Way to Food Safety Public Recognition participant.

2006-2007 Participants
Applebee's, 3134 Beeline, Holland, MI
North Ottawa Community Hospital

Food Service Advisory Committee

The Food Service Advisory Committee is a partnership between the Ottawa County Health Department and the food service industry acting in an advisory capacity to mutually benefit the public.

Links

United States Department of Agriculture
National Sanitation Foundation International (N.S.F.)
Communicable Disease Control Center
Michigan Department of Agriculture
Michigan Association for Local Public Health (Malph)
Michigan Restaurant Association
Oregon Department of Human Services
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Kansas State Research and Extention
United States Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service