Food Safety for Dining Establishments
Putnam County Health Department Environmental Health is responsible for promoting and protecting the public’s health by ensuring that the county’s food supply is safe and sanitary. The Sanitarian staff is trained on the 2013 FDA Food Code and is well versed on the inspection process as well as educating food facility management and the consumer. The Putnam County Health Department Food Safety Program’s number one goal is to help protect the public from food-borne illness.
Inspection of Food Establishments
There are hundreds of permitted food establishments in Putnam County. The West Virginia Food Establishment Rule, effective July 1, 2008, governs retail food establishments such as restaurants, bars, grocery stores, schools, hospitals, daycare establishments, temporary food stands, etc. The rule incorporates, by reference, the majority of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) 2013 FDA Food Code.
Putnam County Health Department’s Environmental Health Services staff conducts risk-based inspections of all food establishments yearly and responds to complaints with immediate investigations. The purpose of the inspections is to assure that the food is being handled properly from storage to preparation and serving. Inspectors observe all workers’ food handling practices; assure equipment is working properly, take food temperatures, inspect all refrigeration and storage areas, assure water temperatures, and correct level and uses of sanitizers. Any violations that are noted are discussed with the Person in Charge and a plan of action is put into place to correct critical violations immediately and to correct non-critical violations as soon as possible.
For more information, review the Food Training Guide.
Food Establishment Plan Review Packet
Putnam County currently has more than 300 food service establishments, which include restaurants, bars, child care centers, hospitals, grocery stores, temporary food establishments and mobile food units. All food establishments are required to have a food service permit to operate. In order to obtain a permit the following information must be submitted to the health department for review:
Floor plans and the plan review form must be submitted at least 45 days prior to the start of construction, conversion, or remodeling, for our office to review. This is to help the facility in case adjustments must be made to meet our codes and regulations. The following are required to be submitted to the health department.
- Completed plan review form (SF-35)
- Floor plan of the establishment
- Equipment listing (showing type of equipment and manufacture model number)
- Completed application to operate a food service establishment
Once plan approval is granted the establishment must be inspected and an operational permit issued prior to opening.
If you have further questions about opening a food service establishment, please contact the Putnam County Health Department at (304) 757-2541.
Additional Food Service Establishment Information
- West Virginia Code of State Rules, §64-17, Food Establishments
- Clean Indoor Air Regulation
- Putnam County Board of Health Food Service Worker Regulation
Food Handler/Manager Fact Sheets
Also available are Fact Sheet Handouts on handwashing, three-bowl sink setup, food thermometer use, safe cooking temperatures, hot and cold holding temperatures, and cooling methods. Each handout is available in the below languages and can be downloaded by language pack using the links below.
English | Spanish | Chinese | Vietnamese
Guidelines for Temporary Food Events
Emergency Procedures for Retail Food Establishments
In the event disaster strikes do you know what your organization’s emergency procedures are? A food establishment manager (or the Person-in-charge) is responsible for conducting both initial and ongoing assessments to ensure consistent compliance with food safety requirements. The following Retail Food Emergency Flip Chart document is designed to provide guidance in the development of emergency procedures for retail food establishments. Individual establishments can use this resource to develop procedures that meet the needs of their specific organization.
Guidelines for Boil Water Advisory
When a local boil water advisory is issued, affected food establishments should follow safety guidelines to protect community health. The resource below will help managers and staff navigate the situation. If you have questions or concerns that are not addressed, please call the Health Department for further instruction.
If you have any complaints you would like us to investigate, please fill out this form. You can also email or call us.
Contact Information
Phone: (304) 757-2541 | Fax: (304) 757-7287
Email: putnamlhd@wv.gov
Physical Address: 11878 Winfield Road, Winfield, WV 25213
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 892, Winfield, WV 25213