Local Food Establishments Receive Awards of Excellence

(Santa Ana) – From a qualifying group of 9,300 food facilities throughout the County, the Health Care Agency’s Environmental Health Division has issued 2,043 Award of Excellence certificates to local Orange County food facilities this month. Environmental Health’s Food Protection Program recognizes these facilities for their outstanding food safety and sanitation practices during 2006. The certificate acknowledges the dedication of each recipient and highlights their diligent efforts in preventing health code violations.

Included in the Award of Excellence Program for the first time in 2006 were public and private school food production facilities, with 70 schools gaining recognition. The Award of Excellence Program also includes restaurants, catering establishments, meat and seafood markets, retail bakeries and supermarkets. A complete list of all the award recipients is available on-line at www.ocfoodinfo.com/foodaward.htm.

The Food Protection Program created this annual Award of Excellence to provide an incentive for food establishments to consistently meet or exceed health and safety standards for food facility operations. Eligible food establishments throughout the County may receive this annual award each year that they exhibit excellent food safety and sanitation practices.

The Food Protection Program focuses on the inspection of retail food facilities in order to promote the safe and sanitary preparation and service of foods, prevent foodborne illness, and protect consumers from adulterated food products. For more information about the Health Care Agency’s Food Protection Program, call (714) 433-6000.

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