Meat Trucks

Regarding recent reports of people selling meat from the back of trucks in Platte County.  It is important to verify the source of meat products that you buy, they should be labeled with a USDA or MDA stamp.  If someone comes to your house in an unmarked truck trying to sell meat ask to see licenses, etc and check for the stamps and dates.  If they can provide those they may be legitimate, if they cannot please notify the Platte County Health Department or the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Restaurant Scam hits Platte County

A scam on restaurant operators by people claiming to be health inspectors has been occurring around the U.S. and Canada. Today DHSS was informed that a restaurant in Missouri was contacted by someone claiming to represent “the State Health Department” and who also requested the restaurant’s “security code” and stated they would conduct a restaurant inspection the following day. The scam involves a series of phone calls asking for “security codes”, and sometimes, the caller threatens the restaurant owner will be fined for lack of cooperation. The calls are designed to pry personal information out of the restaurant operators. There are variations on the scam, but the calls generally involve requests for “security code” information. Some reports also suggest that the callers may have requested personal information, such as cell phone numbers. DHSS encourages any restaurant that receives a call from someone saying they are from the health department and asking for security codes, and saying they will be at the restaurant shortly to conduct an inspection, to not participate and to notify local law enforcement authorities. Public health inspectors do not typically announce their visits. Business owners who believe that they were targeted by a scam such as this should contact their local law enforcement authority.

Pictsweet Frozen Peas Recall

The Pictsweet Company Announces a Voluntary Recall of Frozen Green Peas Due to Possible Health Risk
October 15, 2010 - The Pictsweet Company of Bells, TN today announced a voluntary recall of certain codes of store brand products containing frozen Green Peas after the company learned that some of the packages may contain glass fragments, which may cause injury if ingested.
http://www.dhss.mo.gov/FoodRecalls/PictsweetFrozenPeasRecall_10-18-10.html

Childcare Frequently Asked questions

Here is a link for childcare providers to frequently asked questions about sanitation.  Stay tuned for new handouts and checklists!
http://www.dhss.mo.gov/EnvironmentalChildCare/Faq.html

Restaurant Scam

A scam on restaurant operators by people claiming to be health inspectors has been occurring around the U.S. and Canada. Today DHSS was informed that a restaurant in Missouri was contacted by someone claiming to represent “the State Health Department” and who also requested the restaurant’s “security code” and stated they would conduct a restaurant inspection the following day. The scam involves a series of phone calls asking for “security codes”, and sometimes, the caller threatens the restaurant owner will be fined for lack of cooperation. The calls are designed to pry personal information out of the restaurant operators. There are variations on the scam, but the calls generally involve requests for “security code” information. Some reports also suggest that the callers may have requested personal information, such as cell phone numbers. DHSS encourages any restaurant that receives a call from someone saying they are from the health department and asking for security codes, and saying they will be at the restaurant shortly to conduct an inspection, to not participate and to notify local law enforcement authorities. Public health inspectors do not typically announce their visits. Business owners who believe that they were targeted by a scam such as this should contact their local law enforcement authority.

September 2010: "High-Risk Customers: Serve Your Fare with Extra Care"


What is NFSEM?

National Food Safety Education Month is an annual campaign to heighten the awareness about the importance of food safety education. Each year, we offer training activities, posters, and more. Learn More  http://www.servsafe.com/nfsem/default.aspx

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) officials have been working jointly on an investigation of Morningland Dairy in Mountain View, Missouri after the California Department of Food and Agriculture notified Missouri late Thursday that cheese produced at the dairy contained traces of Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. At this point, the company has not issued a voluntary recall, but it is DHSS’ understanding that the firm will issue a press release soon stating that they are initiating a voluntary recall of all products produced by the company since January 2010 due to the potential presence of the above-named pathogens in products. No illnesses related to this pending recall have been reported to date.



Products included in the recall are all raw milk cheese labeled as Morningland Dairy and Ozark Hills Farm including products in various sizes of vac-sealed plastic in retail packages dating from Jan. 1, 2010 (code A10) through June 25, 2010 (code F250). Products were distributed nationwide, including 23 retail outlets in Missouri.



Local public health agencies with retail outlets that had received product have been notified by DHSS staff and requested to conduct effectiveness checks to assure product is removed from sale after the recall has been issued. For all other agencies, this update is for informational purposes.



Morningland Dairy has suspended the production and distribution of all products, as MDA, FDA and Morningland Dairy continue their investigation of what caused the problem.

Consumers with questions can contact MDA for further information or visit the firm’s website at www.morninglanddairy.com for updates.

Lunch Meat Recall

Please read this recall!
http://www.dhss.mo.gov/FoodRecalls/LunchMeatRecall_8-24-10.html

Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts Wright County Egg Expands Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Shell Eggs Because of Possible Health Risk

Expanded Wright County Egg Recall
Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts Wright County Egg Expands Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Shell Eggs Because of Possible Health Risk

Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts Hillandale Farms of Iowa Conducts Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Shell Eggs Because of Possible Health Risk

Hillandale Egg Recall
Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts Hillandale Farms of Iowa Conducts Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Shell Eggs Because of Possible Health Risk

Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts Lubersk i Inc., Initiates Voluntary Recall of Large Fresh Shell Eggs Because of Possible Health Risk

Luberski Inc Egg Recall.
Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts Lubersk i Inc., Initiates Voluntary Recall of Large Fresh Shell Eggs Because of Possible Health Risk

The Platte County Health Department will be closed on Monday July 5th in observance of the 4th of July holiday.  Walk in times for online food classes will resume the following Monday.  Call with questions.

Kellogg Company Voluntarily Recalls Select Packages of Kellogg's® Corn Pops®, Kellogg's® Honey Smacks®, Kellogg's® Froot Loops® and Kellogg's® Apple Jacks®

Kellogg Company Voluntarily Recalls Select Packages of Kellogg's® Corn Pops®, Kellogg's® Honey Smacks®, Kellogg's® Froot Loops® and Kellogg's® Apple Jacks®

Iowa Firm Recalls Frozen Chicken Products Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination

Iowa Firm Recalls Frozen Chicken Products Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination

Texas Firm Recalls Three Varieties Of "Spaghettios" With Meatballs That May Be Underprocessed

Texas Firm Recalls Three Varieties Of "Spaghettios" With Meatballs That May Be Underprocessed

Online Food Classes

Food classes are now online, visit http://www.plattecountyhealthdept.com/ the link to the online class is located at the top of the page.  Remember Platte County, Clay County and Kansas City Food Handlers cards are good in those areas without additional transfers.

Diapering on a table at a restaurant table is not a good idea......
http://foodsafetyinfosheets.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/4-8-101.pdf
You can also check out our website for ideas on how to prevent Fecal/Oral illnesses like the ones mentioned in the link. 

The Produce Safety Project at Georgetown University has published a report, “Health-Related Costs from Foodborne Illness in the United States,”    www.producesafetyproject.org/admin/assets/files/PSP_FoodborneIllnessSummaryv2.pdf
which states that acute foodborne illnesses cost the U.S. an estimated $152 billion per year in health care, workplace, and other economic losses, with $39 billion of that attributable to foodborne illnesses associated with fresh, canned, and processed produce.  Wow, those are some big numbers, keep that in mind when it's time to WASH YOUR HANDS!

Eggciting News about Easter Food Safety

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has some tips for handling eggs on your Easter egg hunt this year.  Check them out at.....
www.dhss.mo.gov/TopicsA-Z/SalmonellaEasterEggs.pdf

Did You Know We are on Twitter?

All Platte County Health Department services provide content to our Twitter account.  You can follow us at www.twitter.com/plattehealth. Enjoy!

ServSafe Class

The next ServSafe Manager's Class at the Platte County Health Department will be April 15 in Parkville from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm. It's a great class for restaurant owners, managers or anyone who is looking to learn more about food safety. The cost of the class is $95 which includes the book, exam booklet and proctoring fee. You must register before the class, to register call 816.858.2412.

Platte County Food Classes

The next Platte County Food Handler's Class is March 16 at 2pm at the Platte County Health Department, 1201 East Street, Parkville, MO 64152. To register call 816.858.2412 or visit our website http://www.plattecountyhealthdept.com/ to print out the registration form.