The Galion City Health Department today recognized the first-ever recipients of the Clean Plate Awards in Galion. The 2016 recipients are: Galion Community Hospital, Galion City Schools (High, Middle, Intermediate, and Primary), Galion Pointe, PECO II Ballpark Concession, St. Joseph Catholic School, and Taco Bell.
The Clean Plate Award program was developed by Environmental Health Director Stephanie Zmuda, in order to acknowledge food operations that consistently comply with food safety regulations. It is a voluntary program.
“It’s not easy to achieve this recognition. It takes teamwork and putting food safety training into daily practice,” Zmuda said. “These awards prove that it is possible to perform well on a consistent basis.”
Local food service and retail food service operations were welcomed to apply earlier this year. Applicants were eligible based on the following criteria from the previous licensing year:
- Have a valid food service operation license or retail food establishment license.
- Have at least one full licensing year’s inspection data.
- Have the same licensee for at least one year.
- No confirmed foodborne illness within two years.
- No administrative hearings within two years.
- Post a written employee health policy (verified by Health Department staff during inspection).
- Have at least one person in charge per shift certified in Level 1 Food Protection or above.
Points were subtracted from the establishment’s composite performance score for violations, and bonus points were earned for demonstrating best practices. Applicants with a final score of at least 90 points were eligible for recognition. This year’s recipients were recognized at the May 17 Board of Health meeting.
“Congratulations to the 2016 award winners,” Health Commissioner Trish Factor said. “They’re dedicated to upholding food safety knowledge. We hope that you maintain this status and that our number of recipients increases.”
The Clean Plate Awards will be presented by the Galion City Health Department each spring.
