Retail Food Safety
The Retail Food Safety Program at NCHD is the Environmental Health Division's largest program. Our staff covers over 400 restaurants, grocery stores, schools and other facilities that store and/or serve food throughout our health district. Establishments are normally scheduled for one to three inspections per year dependent on the risk factors present within the facility.
When we inspect facilities we are looking to ensure there are no violations that could contribute to a foodborne illness. We check to make sure foods are cooked and stored at appropriate temperatures, that facilities are clean and sanitization procedures are being followed, that food service staff are practicing good personal hygiene, and that all equipment is kept in working order. If a facility is the subject of a complaint, a complaint-inspection may be initiated to determine compliance.
We also participate in the education of food service staff in northeast Colorado by offering ServSafe Food Handler and Manager trainings.
The State Board of Health unanimously voted to adopt the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's (US FDA) 2022 model Food Code by reference. To review the new regulations in full, click HERE. Review the top five major changes to the regulations HERE.
ServSafe Trainings
The Managers' Certification and Food Handlers' ServSafe Trainings are provided in northeast Colorado by CSU Cooperative Extension and NCHD. For more information or to register contact Joy Akey, (970) 332-4151.
2024 Managers Certification:
- Wednesday, April 17 - Burlington Community Center, Burlington 8 am - 5:30 pm
- Tuesday, June 11 - Washington County Event Center, Akron 8 am - 5:30 pm
- Thursday, November 7 - Logan County Extension Office, Sterling 8 am - 5:30 pm
2024 Food Handlers Training:
- Wednesday, March 6 - Logan County Extension Office, Sterling 9 am - 3 pm
- Tuesday, April 9 - Morgan County Fairgrounds, Brush 9 am - 3 pm ** Taught in Spanish ONLY **
- Thursday, June 6 - Burlington Community Center, Burlington 9 am - 3pm ** Taught in Spanish ONLY **
- Monday, September 9 - Morgan County Fairgrounds, Brush 9 am - 3 pm
- Tuesday, October 29 - Phillips County Event Center, Holyoke 9 am - 3pm
Managers Training
COST
$100 if postmarked 30 days prior to training
$125 if postmarked less than 30 days prior to training
Topics
- Causes and costs of foodborne illness
- Proper employee hygiene
- Causes and prevention of food contamination
- Temperatures for cooking & serving
- Storage of food and non-food products
- Cleaning and sanitizing requirements/procedures
Registration Includes
- Lunch and refreshment breaks
- 7 hours of food safety training
- Food Safety resource manual
- Temperature recording charts
- National Restaurant Association Certification Test
- Food Safety resources to train employees
Food Handlers Training
COST
$40 if postmarked 2 weeks prior to training
$55 if postmarked less than 2 weeks prior to training
Topics
- Personal hygiene
- Cross-contamination prevention
- Cooking & serving temperatures
- Cooling procedures & storage temperatures
- Cleaning & sanitizing procedures
Registration Includes
- Training manual
- Lunch and refreshment breaks
- Food Handlers' certificate and registration number
- Food thermometer
For more information on ServSafe Trainings, or to register please contact:
Joy Akey
(970) 332-4151
Northeast Colorado Food Handlers Course
This course encourages personal commitment to food safety principles and will prepare you to become a safe food handler. The Food Handler Course does not meet the requirement of having a certified food protection manager, but it does give food handling staff more knowledge on basic food safety principles.
This food handler course provides instruction on the following:
- Food hazards: biological, physical, and chemical
- Personal hygiene practices
- Cleaning and sanitizing processes
- Time and temperature controls
Temporary Events
Printable Forms
Online Submission Forms
Additional Resources
If you'd like more information, please contact our Environmental Health Manager:
Melvin Bustos
(970) 867-4918 x2262
melb@nchd.org