Monterey County commercial kitchen compliance

Risk-based inspection against the California Retail Food Code. Inspections are unannounced and conducted by a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS). The Bureau characterizes its model as an evaluation program rather than a grading system. Inspections produce a written inspection report listing violations; violations are marked by the inspector on the report. The Bureau does not produce a numeric score, letter grade, or pass/fail placard. A voluntary Gold Seal may be awarded to facilities determined to be in substantial compliance with the California Retail Food Code following a complete unannounced routine inspection. Substantial Compliance requires: (1) zero major violations (red-font categories on the inspection report) across seven category groups, and (2) no more than five other violations, or at the discretion of the department. Major violation categories: Demonstration of food safety knowledge; Employee Health and Hygiene Practices; Time and Temperature Relationships; Protection from Contamination; Food from Approved Sources and Conformance with Approved Procedures; Highly Susceptible Populations and Water/Hot Water; Liquid Waste Disposal/Storm Water Compliance. Other (Good Retail Practice) categories: Supervision, Personal Cleanliness, General Food Safety Requirements; Food Storage/Display/Service, Equipment/Utensils/Linens; Physical Facilities (plumbing, garbage, toilet facilities); Permanent Food Facilities (floors, walls, ceilings); Signs Requirements/Compliance and Enforcement. Gold Seal withdrawal triggers: facility determined not in substantial compliance; facility ordered to close due to non-compliance; permit temporarily suspended or revoked due to immediate danger to public health. Only a REHS may remove the seal.