To honor the remarkable food safety efforts of local restaurants and food facilities that protect the public from foodborne illnesses, and to celebrate National Food Safety Month, the Sacramento County Environmental Management Department recognized Sacramento County operators during the Board of Supervisors meeting on Sept. 10. The recipients of the 19th Annual Environmental Management Food Safety Award of Excellence all achieved three consecutive health inspections without major violations.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate that 48 million people get sick, 128,000 people are hospitalized, and 3,000 people die from foodborne diseases in the U.S. each year.
With the help of EMD's food protection program and free food safety classes, Sacramento County food facility operators are trained that most foodborne illnesses are preventable, by teaching the principles of food safety and focusing on preventing food contamination and learning facility sanitation, time/temperature control, and personal hygiene.
Of those 673 food facilities recognized, one establishment from each of the five Sacramento County supervisorial districts was chosen to receive their award from their respective County Supervisor.