Dear Food Establishment Owner/Operator,
Subsequent to a properly warned public hearing, the Eastern Highlands Health District Board of Directors amended the Health District Sanitary Code fee schedule to include a $50.00 re-inspection fee to any food establishment that fails a routine inspection, and a $100.00 re-inspection fee to any food establishment that fails the subsequent re-inspection. The re-inspection fees are in addition to any other enforcement action authorized under law to compel compliance with the Health District Sanitary Code and the Connecticut Public Health Code. Please recall that pursuant to the Connecticut Public Health Code an inspection failure occurs, “If the rating score at the time of the inspection is below eighty (80) or if there is any one (1) or more four (4) demerit point items in violation, regardless of the rating score.” These changes to the Health District fee schedule take effect July 1, 2008.
Re-inspection fees are due within thirty (30) days of receipt of written notice. A request for extension of the due date may be sent in writing to the Director of Health prior to the fee due date. Failure to pay re-inspection fee may result in license suspension. At no time will a license be renewed with outstanding fees still pending.
This office understands that this amendment to the Health District Fee Schedule may be an issue of concern for some establishment operators. We would encourage any operator with such concerns to refer back to past inspection reports in preparation for your next routine inspection. If you do not have copies of past reports, please contact us and we would be glad to provide you with copies. Additionally, the following website will provide access to the Connecticut Department of Public Health Food Inspector’s Compliance Guide: www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/environmental_health/food_protection/pdf/compliance.pdf . The Compliance Guide is the reference document used by State Health Department certified health inspectors for questions pertaining to inspection standards.
Most of you are unlikely to be impacted by this change. We have, however, found this to be a necessary step in our food protection program for two primary reasons. One, a minority of establishments often fail an inspection and come into compliance only under the threat of closure. This pattern of behavior clearly poses an increased risk to public health. The new fee schedule will provide additional incentive to stay in compliance from day to day, versus waiting until after an inspection failure to obtain compliance. Second, these new fees will offset the additional cost of enforcement caused by such inspection failures allowing the Health District to better control and manage licensure costs to the rest of you.
The Eastern Highlands Health District appreciates your understanding as we work together to provide your costumers with the safest possible food. Please feel free to contact Jeff Polhemus, Chief Sanitarian, at 429-3325 if you have any questions.
Regards,
Robert Miller, MPH, RS
Director of Health
cc: Board of Directors
Municipal CEOs
Policy No. 05-19-2008