University Facilities

Environment, Health & Safety Services

FOOD SAFETY

You can fax your Food Service Application to EH&S at 829-2704 or hand deliver it to 220 Winspear Avenue, South Campus.

Questions? Call us at 829-2401

Food Permit Guidelines

• Social Organization Sale Of Pastries (Day Sales): Social organizations such as fraternities, sororities, team groups, etc. often wish to raise funds for a special activity. The usual means is to have members donate cakes and cookies and promote sales in areas of high student activity.
• Pot Luck Suppers, Picnics & Luncheons: Pot luck suppers are restricted to those functions where preparation of food is the responsibility of individuals and the amount of food prepared is limited. Example: a casserole of curried chicken for 12 persons. The number of persons attending such an affair is usually small, under 100 and limited to members and friends of the organization. Picnics and Luncheons are treated the same as pot luck suppers.
• Dinners: A dinner is differentiated from a pot luck supper in that the occasion is for larger numbers of persons, is advertised as open to the public and the food is prepared in large quantities.

1. All temporary food service stands must have a valid UB Food Permit and in some cases a valid Erie County Health Permit to operate.
   
   
2. The use of "home canned" or home-prepared food is absolutely prohibited.
   
   
3. If continuous heat is not provided the extent of the service period may not exceed two hours. Portions of food left at the end of two hours must be discarded. If the temperature has been maintained at 145 degrees F throughout the service period, remaining portions may be placed in refrigeration and used at the suppliers discretion. Foods prepared in homes for pot luck suppers on campus should have preparation times scheduled so that the product may be taken from an oven or range at the end of the cooking period and brought directly to the serving table. Hot foods must be kept “hot” from the time of preparation until service. Examples:
   a. Cook poultry until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
   b. Cook pork until internal temperature reaches 150 degrees F.
   c. Cook eggs until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.
   d. Cook ground meat until internal temperature reaches 158 degrees F.
   e. Cook all other foods to 140 degrees F or higher.
   f. Hot foods must be maintained at 140 degrees F or above.
   g. All cooked foods that are cooled must be reheated to 165 degrees F, if served hot.
   
   
4. Care must be observed in food storage - adequate refrigeration is important. Cold foods must be served cold and maintained at or below 45 degrees F, at all times. The holding period and disposal requirements are the same as in #3 above. Ingredients for cold salads or other foods should be refrigerated prior to blending. With this technique there is no question of refrigerating the inner portion of the mass.
   
   
5. Provide a metal stem thermometer (0 degrees - 220 degrees F) to measure the temperature of foods, both cold and hot.
   
   
6. Keep time between preparation and serving as short as possible.
   
   
7. The menu should be limited to avoid leftovers. Hazardous food items requiring extensive preparation must be prepared in a permitted food service establishment.
   
   
8. Ready-to-eat food must not be handled during preparation and service. Use plastic gloves, a ladle, tongs or deli-wrap. KEEP HANDS CLEAN.
   
   
9. HAND WASHING FACILITIES must be provided at each food stand.
   a. Facilities will consist of soap, paper towels and a container equipped with a tap or spigot to produce a stream of water.
   b. Waste water must be collected in a receptacle and disposed of in a sanitary manner. (Hand washing signs must be posted).
   
   
10. Convenient and adequate toilet facilities must be available.
    
    
11. All food handlers must be free from illness, boils, sores and cuts, and use hygienic food preparation practices. NO SMOKING IN FOOD STANDS.
    
    
12. All single service products and food items; including ice, must be stored a minimum of 6" above the ground or floor surface.
    
    
13. Food handlers must wear clean clothing. Hats and/or hair restraints are required.
    
    
14. Condiments for self-service must be provided in approved-closed dispensers or single service packages.
    
    
15. CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL FOOD CONTACT SURFACES AND EQUIPMENT before, during and after use. Wiping cloths must be kept clean and stored in a container of sanitizing solution.
    
    
16. Food and eating utensils must be protected from customers. Easily cleanable counter protector devices (covers) are required to protect food when placed on display.
    
    
17. Single service disposable plates & flatware are required for service to the public. All beverages that are dispensed must be in single service cups.
    
    
18. For the washing of utensils, pots and pans; the minimum requirement is a two compartment sink or two containers - one with detergent-sanitizer and one with sanitizer.
    
    
19. Wet storage of packaged food and beverages is prohibited. Canned beverages may be stored in containers of chopped ice with the drain open.
    
    
20. Only chipped, crushed or cubed ice, obtained in bags from approved sources, can be used in the manufacturer of foods or be permitted to come in actual contact with food.
    
    
21. Cleaning compounds, sanitizers and toxic items must be properly labeled and stored away from food.
    
    
22. Keep foods covered to protect them from insects. Place garbage and paper wastes in a refuse container with a tight-fitting cover. Dispose of waste water in a sewer or public toilet. Waste cooking grease must be disposed of in an approved receptacle.
    
    
23. Design your booth with food safety in mind.
    a. All booths must have an overhead covering. The ideal booth will be entirely enclosed except for the serving windows and have only one door or flap entry.
    b. Clear plastic or light colored screening on side walls will aid visibility.
    c. Only food workers are permitted inside the food preparation area.
    d. All animals must be excluded from booths.
    
    
24. The public must be protected from hot grills, gas cylinders and other dangerous items. A fire extinguisher is required at each stand.
    
    
25. Baked goods should be served as individual portions wrapped or bagged. Frosted cakes which may be difficult to wrap may be served as pieces. Pans must be provided with protective covering. Any baked product which contains a custard or custard-type filling must be treated as a cold food.

Call EH&S at 829-2401

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Food Safety guidelines from: Erie County Health Department, Environmental Health Services, Food Service Protection Program, “Guidelines for Temporary Food Stands”