Continuing education on food safety is offered in several ways. All food workers must attend a class and pass a written test on food safety to receive a food handler's permit. Translators are available for those for whom we don't have a translation, or who cannot read. The permit is good for 2 to 5 years. Each year, each establishment gets a certain number of unannounced routine inspections by an Food Safety Inspector.
Routine inspections address safe food handling practices.
The are recognized by Public Health and the establishment as opportunities to educate the operators and their crews. The number of inspections made each year is based on the type of food served and how it is prepared. Food Safety Inspectors provide at least one education visit annually to selected establishments to help the kitchen staff and mangers learn more about food safety. Educational visits are not inspections, and no violations are noted. One of the educational materials available to each establishment is a King County video on food safety.