Public Health, Sanitation, and Food Safety
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Table of Contents

Purpose

To specify the methods, responsibilities and legal authority for evaluating and protecting the environmental health of the Florida State University community.

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General

The Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) is responsible for ensuring the environmental health and safety of the Florida State University (FSU) community and ensuring compliance with all established public health standards.

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Routine Inspections

The local county public health unit is responsible for conducting routine environmental health inspections of all of FSU's facilities to identify unsafe and unhealthy conditions and to ensure that those conditions are corrected.

EH&S assists the local county public health unit in the inspection program for food service establishments (licensed and temporary), swimming pools and bathing places, childcare facilities, primary and secondary schools, and non-community public water supplies. EH&S will assist in resolving any problem that arises during the inspections and thereafter.

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Food Service

The Leon County Public Health Unit (LCPHU), under the authority of the Department of Health (DOH) is responsible for regulating licensed and non-licensed food service establishments, food vending establishments, food catering establishments, food concessions, and residential food service for the FSU main campus.

LCPHU conducts inspections in conjunction with EH&S in an effort to ensure that each establishment is properly designed, built and equipped for its intended purpose; has a safe water supply and waste disposal system; obtains food supplies from approved sources; and maintains food free from contamination and at safe temperatures.

Residential Food Service

Residential food service is defined as the preparation and serving of food in sororities, fraternities, scholarship houses, and dormitories and in other residential dwellings where food is prepared and served on a regular basis to the group of residents and their guests. Individual family living unit food preparation and services is excluded from this definition.

Temporary Food Sales

Temporary food sales are defined as the sale or offering of food to the general pubic, which includes the general student body, not to exceed 18 days in conjunction with a single event or celebration. Temporary food sales do not include concessions associated with athletic events. They include, but are not limited to, soft drink sales, lemonade stands, snow cones, and the like. Temporary food sales are conducted at portable booths, stands or tables. All temporary food and drinks sold must be obtained from and prepared and packaged by an approved source (food store, bakery, restaurant, caterer, or food distributor which has been approved by the local health authority). No temporary food or drinks from an individual family living unit shall be distributed on campus.

EH&S conducts the random inspection of temporary food sales.

Temporary food sales on FSU's campuses are governed by the following policies:

  • Disposable utensils, serving tools, napkins and plates should be used. Food should be handled with sterile tongs or spatulas and/or the server should wear disposable gloves.
  • Provisions should be made for keeping food at the appropriate temperature. Hot food should be served immediately after delivery. Cold food should be served immediately after delivery or kept cold until served.
  • Potentially hazardous foods such as cream-filled pastries, custards and similar products and meat, poultry and fish, salads or sandwich fillings, and dishes which contain potentially hazardous food, such, but not limited to: fried rice, egg rolls, tacos, hot dogs, and hamburgers must not be sold unless it is obtained from an approved source which has been approved by the local health authority.
  • Ice used for consumption must be obtained from an approved source (ice plant or food store - not from a residential home) and kept in its original container until immediate use. Proper disposal must be provided for water created from melting ice to prevent a sanitary nuisance.
  • Wet storage of drinks or food is prohibited when the pouring lip or food product is immersed in the ice or ice water.
  • Food surfaces must be decontaminated frequently and be protected from handling, dust, sneezes, coughs, insects and all other contaminants.
  • An adequate supply of water, disinfectant, soap and disposable towels for cleaning and hand washing must be provided in the work area. Wastewater must be disposed of in a sanitary manner
  • All food contact surfaces including but not limited to: holding pans, dishes, spoons, scoops, spatulas, and coolers must be kept clean, sanitized, and protected from contamination.
  • Temporary food sales are prohibited on campus except in the University Union Complex, provided that space has been reserved through the University Union Guest Services Office.

Standards governing these facilities include Florida Administrative Codes:

  • Chapter 64E-11 Food Hygiene, Department of Health
  • Chapter 6C2-2.013 Commercial Solicitations
  • Chapter 6C2-2.007 Use of Campus Facilities

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Swimming Pools and Bathing Places

The LCPHU, under the authority of DOH is responsible for regulating water quality of swimming pools and public bathing facilities.

LCPHU conducts inspections and water quality monitoring of FSU-owned swimming pools and public bathing facilities. EH&S acts as liaison for timely correction of public health concerns related to swimming and bathing areas.

Standard governing these facilities includes Florida Administrative Code:

  • Chapter 64E-9 Swimming Pools and Bathing Places, Department of Health

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Child Care Centers

The LCPHU, under the authority of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is responsible for licensing childcare facilities.

LCPHU conducts inspections of childcare facilities with assistance from EH&S to determine if these facilities provide safety equipment, wholesome food supplies, safe water supply and waste disposal systems, adequate and safe play areas, adequate emergency and security procedures and an environment free of communicable disease.

Standard governing these facilities includes Florida Administrative Code:

  • Chapter 65C-22 Child Care Standards, Department of Children and Family Services

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Primary and Secondary Schools

The LCPHU, under the authority of the Department of Education (DOE) is responsible for regulating primary and secondary school environments.

The LCPHU inspects the Developmental Research School in conjunction with EH&S to determine if school buildings, grounds, shops, cafeteria, laboratories, restroom facilities, first aid rooms and classrooms provide a safe and healthy environment for school children and staff members.

EH&S works with the school administration and various campus departments (Project Control, Grounds, Building Services, etc.) to identify and implement solutions to environmental problems identified during these inspections.

Standards governing these facilities include Florida Administrative Code:

  • Chapter 64E-13 Schools Sanitation, Department of Health
  • Chapter 6-2 Educational Facilities, Department of Education

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Non-Community Public Water Supplies

The local county public health unit, under the authority of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is responsible for regulating safe drinking water.

The local county public health units assist EH&S in monitoring the water quality of the non-community public water supplies for FSU's facilities.

Leon County Public Health Units test water supplies located at FSU's Main Campus, University Golf Course, and FSU Reservation. The FSU Marine Laboratory is assisted by the Franklin County Public Health Department.

Standard governing these facilities is:

  • Florida Safe Drinking Water Act

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Solid Waste Storage Facilities

DEP is responsible for regulating solid waste.

EH&S assists FSU Grounds, Building Services, Housing and Recreation Services in implementing procedures of proper containment of solid waste. EH&S is also responsible for FSU's hazardous waste (chemical waste, biomedical waste, and radiological waste) management program.

Standards governing these facilities include Florida Administrative Code:

  • Chapter 62-701 Solid Waste Management Facilities, Department of Environmental Protection
  • Chapter 62-730 Hazardous Waste, Department of Environmental Protection

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Individual Sewage Disposal Facilities

DOH and DEP are responsible for regulating and licensing sewage treatment facilities.

EH&S assists FSU departments, Marine Laboratory, FSU Reservation and other FSU-owned facilities in evaluating individual sewage processes to ensure that they comply with Health Code Regulations.

Standards governing these facilities include Florida Administrative Code:

  • Chapter 64E-8 Drinking Water Systems, Department of Health
  • Chapter 64E-6 Standards for Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems, Department of Health
  • Chapter 64E-16 Biomedical Waste, Department of Health

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Animals

While pets can be a source of much enjoyment, they can also pose a potential threat to the health and safety of the campus community. It is recognized that many pets are well behaved and may be brought on campus by responsible persons.

In order to meet the needs of these pet owners and to ensure the staff, students, and visitors who may have allergies or fears caused by pet animals that may potentially interfere with the person's ability to work, study, or visit the campus, the following rules will apply when pet animals are brought on the property of the University.

  • Pet animals are permitted on campus only while leashed and under the direct and immediate control of their owners.
  • Owners are responsible for cleaning up all animal excrement on University grounds and must dispose of the excrement properly.
  • Pet animals are not permitted in any campus food service area, swimming pool or bathing place, athletic event area, or within any buildings.
  • Trained service animals, such as guide dogs for the blind, as well as other official service animals, are permitted on campus and in buildings.
  • Official university mascots are permitted on campus and in designated facilities.
  • Animals used for research projects that have been approved by the Animal Control and Use Committee are permitted on campus and in designated buildings where the research is conducted.
  • Staff and students who wish to bring pet animals into buildings may request an exemption from this policy. However, even if approved pet animals will not be permitted in administrative areas or classrooms.
  • Always be responsible and respectful of others and remember that permission to have pets on campus is a privilege.

An exception to this policy must be approved in writing by the Dean, Director, Department Head responsible for the facility, after review by Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) and Laboratory Animal Resources (LAR) for each particular case. Exceptions may be granted if reasonable consideration is given for the personal preferences of others occupying shared spaces, and other health and safety issues associated with each case. If an exemption is granted, the approved location for the pet animals shall be posted prominently.

Enforcement of this animal control policy should be by the Dean, Director, and Department Head responsible for the specific facility.

Standards and authority for implementation of animal control policies includes:

Florida Administrative Codes:

  • Chapter 64E-11 Food Hygiene, Department of Health
  • Chapter 64E-9 Swimming Pools and Bathing Places, Department of Health
  • Chapter 6C2-2.007 Usage of Campus Facilities, Board of Regents

Leon County Codes:

  • Chapter 4 Animal Control Ordinance, Leon County Ordinance

City of Tallahassee Codes:

  • Chapter 7 Tallahassee Leash Law, Tallahassee City Code

Animal Bites

EH&S investigates all reported bites and scratches from warm-blooded animals. Employees must first report bites and scratches from warm-blooded animals to their supervisor. The supervisor, clinical staff, police officers, laboratory personnel or the person attending to the bite victims is required to report the incident to Leon County Animal Control Office or FSU Police and EH&S.

Domestic animals responsible for biting individuals on campus or persons affiliated with FSU will be observed for symptoms of rabies during a quarantine period. The animal must be quarantined at the owner's home, the Animal Shelter or a licensed veterinary hospital under the supervision of the Leon County Animal Control Office.

Standards and authority for implementation of animal control policies includes:

Leon County Code:

  • Chapter 4-35 Animal Control Ordinance, Leon County Ordinance

Florida Administrative Code:

  • Chapter 64D-3 Control of Communicable Diseases and Conditions Which May Significantly Affect Public Health, Department of Health

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Unsanitary Conditions

EH&S is responsible for ensuring the correction of the unsanitary condition.

EH&S will investigate and compile a report and order the correction of the unsanitary condition. All unsanitary conditions including but not limited to the creation, maintenance, or causing of any condition capable of breeding flies, mosquitoes, or other insects capable of transmitting diseases, directly or indirectly to humans; untreated or improperly treated human waste, waste which may present a threat of infection to humans, garbage, offal, dead animals, or noxious odors which are harmful to human or animal life; or contamination of food or water for human consumption will be reported to EH&S. EH&S will document all actions on complaints and retain them on file.

Standards and authority for governing this function:

Florida Administrative Code:

  • Chapter 64E-16 Biomedical Waste, Department of Health

Florida Statute:

  • Chapter 386 Particular Conditions Affecting Public Health, Public Health

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Communicable Disease Investigation

The Local County Public Health Unit, under the authority of DOH is responsible for ensuring epidemiological investigation of all communicable diseases occurring on FSU's facilities.

EH&S assists the Local County Public Health Unit in the epidemiological investigation of all communicable diseases occurring on FSU's facilities. EH&S will document all actions on the investigation of communicable disease that are declared to be dangerous to public health. All reports will be retained on file with EH&S; copies of all reports will be filed to the local county public health unit.

Standard governing these facilities includes Florida Administrative Code:

  • Chapter 64D-3 Control of Communicable Diseases And Conditions Which May Significantly Affect Public Health, Department Health

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Approval

The provisions of this policy may be altered only after permission is obtained from the EH&S and the Office of Business Services in accordance with the FSU's Operating Procedures.

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