As you are aware, there is another impending storm predicted for our area this week.  The County is still recovering from last week’s Winter Storm Riley and has increased their health inspections to ensure food safety among our retail food establishments.   
The Division of Public Health is reminding residents and businesses to be mindful of food safety.  A prolonged period without power can make safe food handling practices difficult, especially when it comes to keeping refrigerated and frozen foods at or below 41 degrees Fahrenheit.   Key considerations to prepare your business for an emergency should include plans for long term power outages, loss of water supply, flooding and potential sewer backups.

To protect your inventory, please see the attached documents for additional information.   Please keep in mind that all retail food establishments that experience a power loss greater than 5 hours, loss of water supply, flooding, or sewer backups, must obtain approval from the Hunterdon County Division of Public Health prior to re-opening.  Please be advised that it is the responsibility of the restaurant or food establishment to dispose of all unsafe potentially hazardous food (see attached). If there are any questions about the safety of specific foods, contact the Division of Public Health.  If you experience an extended power outage, flooding or sewage backup, please call the health department at 908-788-1351 to schedule an inspection.

Our goal is to get restaurants and retail food establishments back to business as quickly as possible, and we will do everything we can to assist you in recovery. We appreciate your patience and anticipated cooperation.

Contact: Karen DeMarco, Health Officer

Phone: 908-788-1351

Date: March 6, 2018