LEONARDTOWN, MD (April 7, 2015) –The St. Mary’s County Health Department announced recipients of the 2014 Gold Star Award given annually to food service facilities that achieve superior food safety standards. Forty award recipients for calendar year 2014 were recognized at a ceremony held April 6th in Leonardtown. Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary’s County Health Officer, and Ms. Robin Finnacom, Acting Director of the St. Mary’s County Department of Economic Development, welcomed the attendees.
“Unsafe food can lead to over 250 diseases; worldwide, foodborne illness is a significant cause of death and disability,” said Brewster. “The partnership between the food service industry and public health in the U.S. has led to tremendous success in preventing and containing foodborne disease outbreaks.”
The Gold Star Program has recognized food establishments for superior compliance to food safety standards with this annual award since its inception in 2007. Environmental health specialists at the health department regularly inspect nearly 500 food service facilities in St. Mary’s County to ensure food safety is being adequately addressed. Through these inspections and food safety education, the risk of foodborne illness is greatly reduced.
“The conscientious efforts made by these food establishments deserve to be recognized and rewarded,” stated Vic Krasnokutsky, Environmental Health Specialist Manager at the health department. “They have demonstrated exceptional attention to public health safety and sanitation.”
The food establishments that achieve this high level of compliance receive a certificate and a window sticker designating them as Gold Star establishments. The requirements to earn a Gold Star are:
- No critical violations (based on COMAR 10.15.03)
- No temperature violations cited during a monitoring inspection
- All violations noted by an inspector must be corrected by a 30-day follow-up inspection
- No confirmed unsafe food handling complaints
- At least one food service worker completed a recognized and approved “Food Service Sanitation and Safety Class” within the last two years
“In addition to facility inspections, the health department also provides safe food handling classes for food service workers twice a year to promote food safety education,” said Alan Shick, Food Safety Program Supervisor.
For more information about the Gold Star Program and for a list of the 2014 Gold Star Award winners, please click here.
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