FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              Connecticut Department of Public Health

November 4, 2011                                                      Contact: William Gerrish

                                                                                    (860) 509-7270

Hartford - The Connecticut Department of Health (DPH) reminds food establishments of procedures to safely reopen after the recent storm left the state with widespread power outages.

Inspections by local health authorities are underway to ensure that perishable foods are not sold at food establishments that lost power. Food establishments with questions about reopening should contact their local health department or district. 

Food establishments should discard perishables that have been exposed to unsafe temperatures, flood or sewage waters, or other sources of potential contamination and ensure that they are adequately cleaned and sanitized prior to resuming operations. Food establishments must meet the following basic conditions prior to resuming food preparation and/or sale of potentially hazardous foods:

• All unsafe potentially hazardous food has been discarded.
• Electricity and gas services have been restored.
• All circuit breakers have been properly reset.
• All equipment and facilities are operating properly, including: lighting, refrigeration, hot holding, ventilation, and bathrooms.
• Hot and cold potable water, within appropriate water pressure range, is available for consumption, hand washing and proper dishwashing.

For more information on food safety, go to www.ct.gov/dph and click on “October Snow Storm: Important Health Information.”

The Connecticut Department of Public Health is the state’s leader in public health policy and advocacy with a mission to protect and promote the health and safety of the people of our state.  To contact the department, please visit its website at www.ct.gov/dph or call (860) 509-7270.

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