For Consumers

• Boil Water Advisories, What are they?

  • Boil water advisories are issued when there could be something in your water systems that makes it unsafe. Using/drinking the water without boiling it can make you very sick. Boiling your water makes it safe to use/drink.

  • If there is a boil water notice or advisory, you should boil your water or use bottled water when cooking, washing fruits and vegetables, brushing your teeth, or making baby formula. You should also use boiled water to wash your hands when cooking. Adults and older children do not need to use boiled water to shower or bathe, but you should try not to swallow any water or get any water into your mouth. Infants, toddlers, the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems should be bathed using boiled or bottled water.

  • For more information and guidance on how to boil water safely visit: Boil Water Notices and Advisories (ct.gov)

• Hurricane Safety
  • Before
    • Hurricane Season: Be Prepared | FDA
  • During
    • Protect Food and Water During Hurricanes and Other Storms | FDA
    • Power Outages: Key Tips for Consumers About Food Safety | FDA
• Flooding
  • Floods: Key Tips for Consumers About Food and Water Safety | FDA
• Power Outages
  • Food Safety for Power Outages | Food Safety | CDC
• After a Disaster or Emergency
  • Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency | Natural Disasters and Severe Weather | CDC
  • After a Storm or Flooding: Key Tips for Consumers About Food Safety | FDA
• Salvaging foods
  • Food and Water Safety During Power Outages and Floods | FDA
  • Refrigerated Food and Power Outages: When to Save It and When to Throw It Out

For Food Establishments

The Food Code requires the permit holder to immediately discontinue operations and notify the regulatory authority (their local health department/district) if an imminent health hazard may exist because of an emergency, such as but not limited to:

A fire, flood, extended interruption of electrical or water service, sewage backup, misuse of poisonous or toxic materials, onset of an apparent foodborne illness outbreak, gross insanitary occurrence or condition, or other circumstances that may endanger public health.

It is important that the permit holder contacts the local health department/district as soon as possible so that it can be determined if the nature and complexity of the hazard is limited to an area that can allow the establishment to remain open. Local Health may also require the use of interim measures to protect the public’s health or require additional steps to remain open depending on what happened and how long it may go on.

Some helpful tips: 

• Be prepared
  • Make a plan and make sure staff know what it is.
  • Have a back up supply of basic supplies (sanitizer, paper products, common use ingredients)
  • Have a plan for a water supply if your current one was to become inoperable/unsafe.
• Modify your menu to a few simple items with simple preparation
  •  Depending on the emergency, prepared foods may be unsafe and need to be discarded.
  •  You may experience supply chain issues with deliveries and should keep things simple until you can return back to normal operations.
• Be prepared to pause the operation while you assess the impact.
• Do not hesitate to contact your Local Health Department/District to let them know what the issue is and be prepared to answer questions about it.
  • Know who else may be helpful to speak with (e.g. your water supply operator, a contractor that is working on the issue, etc.)

Power Outages

• Guidelines for Safely Reopening

  • Albanian - Udhëzime për rihapjen e sigurt pas një ndërprerjeje të energjisë

  • Chinese Traditional - 斷電後安全重新開放的指南
    • Simplified - 断电后安全重新开放的指南
  • Polish - Wytyczne dotyczące bezpiecznego ponownego otwierania po przerwie w dostawie prądu
  • Portuguese - Diretrizes para reabertura segura após queda de energia
    • Brazilian Portuguese - Em português brasileiro
  • Spanish - Pautas para reabrir de forma segura después de un corte de energía
• Generator Use in a FSE During a Power Outage

Reopening after Hurricanes and Floods

• Restaurants and Grocers Reopening After Hurricanes and Flooding | FDA

Water Emergencies at Food Establishments 

• Boil Water Advisories
  • A boil water advisory is issued when there could be something in your water systems that makes it unsafe.
  • Boiling water is not an acceptable option for certain businesses (including food establishments, offices, and institutions). These facilities must take other precautions during a boil water notice.
  • Guidance for Industry: Use of Water by Food Manufacturers in Areas Subject to a Boil-Water Advisory | FDA
• E. coli contamination at FEs
• Interim measures (translated docs)
• Bulk Water Hauling at FEs
• Guidelines for Reopening a FE after a Water Emergency
• Information for public water systems