An estimated 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths are attributable to foodborne illness in the United States each year. Proper food sanitation at the retail-level is a vital intervention in preventing the spread of foodborne illness.
Nicholas County Health Department permits and inspects food establishments in accordance with W.Va. 64 C.S.R. 17 which adopts a modified version of the FDA 2005 Food Code. A food establishment is an operation that stores, prepares, packages, serves , vends or otherwise provides food for human consumption including:
- Restaurants
- Catering Operations
- Retail Stores
- Mobile & Temporary Vendors
- Food Banks
Additionally, Nicholas County Health Department permits, registers and inspects farmers markets and farmers market vendors according to W.Va. 64 C.S.R. 102.
Education is an important component in the prevention of foodborne illness. Nicholas County Health Department requires foodservice worker training as provided for in the Nicholas County Foodservice Workers Regulation (pamphlet copy) and W.Va. Code § 16-2-16.