Minimum Rules of Operation for Mobile Food Units in Skagit County A mobile food unit is a readily movable food establishment, such as a van or trailer. It must have usable wheels and be self-contained (potable and wastewater tanks on board). The annual permit fee $ 200.00. A food cart is a mobile food unit that can be easily pushed by a single person. Food carts are limited to non-potentially hazardous foods, hot dogs and espresso, unless otherwise approved. The annual permit fee is $150.00. Ask for our special handout! The following is a summary of the rules and regulations governing mobile food vans from WAC 246-215. It is not an all-inclusive list. For clarification or the complete Food Code, contact our office or www.doh.wa.gov or www.skagitcounty.net/food. 1. Mobile operator must have current Skagit County Public Health Department food service permit. 2. Mobile unit must be approved by Labor & Industries and other applicable state or local agencies. 3. Mobile must have a commissary kitchen or servicing area for food storage, food preparation (if needed), water and wastewater needs and cleaning. 4. Mobile must return to servicing area as needed and must be parked there when not in operation. 5. Restrooms with flush toilets and plumbed handwashing must be provided for employees and must be within 200 feet of unit during hours of operation. 6. If seating is provided on-site to customers for dining, fully-equipped restrooms (see #5) must be available within 200 feet, unless otherwise approved. 7. The name of the business must be on the outside of the vehicle and easily visible to customers. 8. Current operating permits must be posted and easily visible to customers. Food Safety Rules specific to Mobiles (refer to WAC 246-215) There is a person in charge (PIC) at all times to ensure the following: 1. Potentially hazardous food prepared in the unit must be served the same day it is prepared. Discard all leftovers. 2. Raw meats cooked on the unit must be less than 1 in thickness. 3. Foods reheated on the unit must reach proper reheating temperature within one hour. You may only reheat food one time. 4. Cooked food may not be cooled on the mobile for later reheating and service. Food prepared in an approved commissary kitchen may be cooled in the commissary for reheating on the mobile unit for same-day service. 5. Maintain proper temperatures during transport and service. Monitor with accurate thermometers. 6. Only single-service articles (utensils, plates, etc.) are provided to customers. 9/10/10 jl C:\temp\health\Mobile Rules of Operation9-10.docx
Skagit County Public Health Department 700 South 2nd Street, Room #301, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 Telephone (360) 336-9380, Toll free 877-336-9380; Fax (360) 336-9401 Internet: www.skagitcounty.net/food Mobile Plan Review Application Before operating or constructing a mobile food service in Skagit County, plans for the food service, mobile unit and commissary kitchen design must be approved by the Health Department. Below is a summary of the required documentation. The complete food service requirements can be found in the Retail Food Code Working Document (WAC 246-215) included with this packet. A commissary or support kitchen is an approved location that may be used for preparing, cooking and cooling of foods. A servicing area is a base location where the mobile returns regularly for cleaning, discharging wastes, refilling water and food supplies. A commissary and a servicing area may or may not be the same location. A commissary is not always required, but dependent on the menu. Allow two weeks for the plans examiner to evaluate the plans. We will then contact you to schedule an inspection of the unit. Submit the following for review: Plan Review Application Form (attached) Plan Review Fee ($300 for new operation; $150 if taking over mobile already permitted in Skagit County) Copy of Labor and Industries mobile food van approval Signed agreements (if needed) with Commissary Kitchen Restroom availability for employees and/or customers Plan of Operation, including: Menu and food preparation steps. Floor plan of mobile unit and commissary/support kitchens Equipment specifications. Finishes for all surfaces (floors, walls, counters). Proposed itinerary or service sites. Source of water and specifications of the on-board plumbing. Location of servicing area if different from commissary Any changes to plan of operation must be approved in writing by the Skagit County Public Health Department
Skagit County Public Health Department 700 South 2nd Street, Room #301, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 Telephone (360) 336-9380, Toll free 877-336-9380; Fax (360) 336-9401 Internet: www.skagitcounty.net/food Mobile Plan Review Application Form Mobile unit name Person in charge Commissary name Commissary address Applicant name Applicant phone Applicant mailing address Legal Owner name Owner phone What is the expected date of opening?: Capacity of potable water tank: gallons Capacity of wastewater tank: gallons Are you providing seating for customers? What activities will be occurring in the mobile: REFRIGERATING COMMERCIALLY PACKAGED or PREPARED FOODS CLEANING AND CUTTING PRODUCE HANDLING COOKED MEATS, MAKING SANDWICHES HANDLING AND/OR COOKING RAW MEATS COOLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS COOKING OR REHEATING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS HOT HOLDING FOODS GRILLING OR DEEP FRYING DISHWASHING Other:
What activities will occur in the commissary or support kitchen: REFRIGERATING COMMERCIALLY PACKAGED or PREPARED FOODS CLEANING AND CUTTING PRODUCE HANDLING COOKED MEATS, MAKING SANDWICHES HANDLING AND/OR COOKING RAW MEATS COOLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS COOKING OR REHEATING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS HOT HOLDING FOODS GRILLING OR DEEP FRYING STORAGE OF DRY GOODS DISHWASHING Other: As the operator of this mobile food unit I will make sure that the food safety requirements in the Washington state food code, Chapter 246-215 WAC, are followed. The following are some of the requirements that will be met: o All food and beverage products will come from an approved source, including a commissary kitchen, permitted wholesale or retail food establishment, or else made on this mobile food unit o All people working on the mobile food unit who handle ready to eat food, make food products, or handle utensils or other dishware, will keep their food worker card (or a photocopy) at this mobile food unit. o No food products will be cooled on this mobile food unit. Any hot held food products that are cooked or hot held on this mobile food unit will either be sold or else destroyed at the end of each day of food service. o Dishes, equipment, and utensils will be washed, rinsed, and sanitized in either a 3 compartment sink on this mobile food unit or else in a 3 compartment sink or a properly operating commercial dishwasher at the commissary kitchen. o Any foods, equipment, or other items used for this mobile food unit will be stored in a clean manner at a commissary approved by the Skagit County Public Health Department. o Electric or propane-powered refrigeration units will be used for all cold-holding needs on this mobile food unit unless some other cold-holding method is
specifically allowed for in writing by the Skagit County Public Health Department. Refrigeration units will either ALWAYS be left on or else will be turned on and PRE-CHILLED to 41 degrees or less prior to placing potentially hazardous foods in them. o All pre-packaged foods sold on this mobile food unit will be properly labeled. o Raw meats cooked on this mobile food unit will be one-inch thick or less. o The hand washing sink on this mobile food unit will always be stocked with hand soap and paper towels, have warm running water, and be completely free of obstructions in or around the sink so that it can be immediately accessed at any time during food service. o The name of this mobile food service will always be displayed on the vehicle in a manner which is easily and clearly seen by customers ordering food. o All condiments not in individual packages will be provided in dispenser bottles or in other containers protected from contamination. o Disposable gloves, utensils, or paper/tissues will be used to prevent bare-hand contact with ready to eat food products. Applicant s Signature: The information is provided in this application is accurate and I agree to comply with Washington State and Skagit County Public Health Department regulations regarding the above-named facility: Signature Date