Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-04-02
New D. {. Regulations
Tiqhten Sanitation
In Restaurants
Commissioners Give
Authority TO Check on
Food Handlers Health

Tighter regulations governing the
sanitation of employees and facilities
of all of Washington's restaurants,
delicateSsens and catering establish
ments were published today by the
Commissioners and will go into effect
after 80 days.
They were drafted in response
to protests by members of the House
District Committee against lack of
proper health protection in many
eating establishments, but some sug-
gestions from Capitol Hill were mod
flied on technical advice.
The original draft Of the new regu-
iations, considered at public hear
ing February 10, proposed, in keep
ing with a Capitol Hill suggestion,
that all employees Of restaurants
must obtain annual health certifl-
Gates, but argument was made at
the hearing that such plan would
impose an unnecessary cost and diff
ficulty. Health Officer George c.
Rutland said then he did not believe
that annual certificates constituted
o practical answer to the problem.
Power To Make Tests.
The Commissioners decided to
place the health responsibility on
both the manager and the employe
Of the eating place, without requlr-
ing special permits, and the Health
Department is given authority to
make any necessary examinations.
The new rule reads:
The health officer shall have full
power and authority at any time to
make any such examinations and
tests as may be necessary to deter
mine whether any food handler has
a disease in a communicable form
or is a carrier of communicable
disease. 1t shall be the duty of all
food handlers to submit to such eX-
aminationS at the request of the
health officer and any food handler
who shall refuse to submit to such
examinations shall not be employed
or continued as a food handler in
any of the establishments covered by
this regulation.
NO person knowing himself to be
affected with disease in communi-
cable form shall engage in the hand
ling or preparation of food"
The regulation also prescribes that
no manager shall hire any employe
to handle or prepare food if he has
reason to suspect the person is
afflicted with a disease in COM
municable form as listed in District
regulations.
Clean Garments Required.
Another regulation declares that
all food handlers shall wear clean
garments and shall keep their
hands clean at all times when en-
gagged in the handling of food. drink
utensils or equipment" All female
employees are required to wear hair
nets and men are told to wear caps
while handling food. All persons
handling food are required to
'thouroughly wash their hands with
soap and water" before beginning
work.
Gus, the Commissioners prescribed
that no food handler shall be per-
mitted to smoke while on duty.
No sleeping facilities or domestic
activities may be permitted in any
room which is a part of or which
opens into any room where food is
prepared, stored or served or in
which utensils are washed or stored
Soiled linens, coats and aprons must
be kept in vermin- proof containers.
Bans Clipped Dishes.
Despite some objections from the
industry, the Commissioners ruled
that cracked or Clipped dishes or
drinking utensils must be discarded.
Sugar served to the public must
be dispensed from containers which
provide protection against dirt, dust
or other contamination and human
handling. except in the case Of sugar
Jumps which are individually
wrapped.
One of the new rules is that the
manager of each eating establish
ment must obtain special license
within 80 days from the effective
day of the new rules.
Other rules deal with lighting,
ventilation, cleanliness of floors and
walls, washing facilities, size
Of sinks and refrigeration.
For violations, the regulations
carry a penalty up to fine of $500
for each offense.