Health Inspection Program

Lisa Roy , Program Manager
Emergency Consultation and Disease Reporting hotline.
For emergency after hours calls please call 1-800-821-5821.

The Health Inspection Program exists to provide licensing and inspection services for a number of different types of businesses to regulate and protect the public health. Health Inspectors from the Department inspect licensed establishments thoughout the State on a regular basis for conformance with state rules.

Please be advised that new Administrative Rules are effective as of January 18, 2011. See the fee breakdown on Page 4 of the Eating & Lodging License Application (HHE-602) on the Forms and Applications page for details concerning fees.

Americans With Disabilites Act and Swimming Pools

The ADA Information Line 

ADA Standards for Accessible Design (2010)

Certified Food Protection Manager Requirement

Every eating establishment, with some exemptions, must employ or engage a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM). This requirement was adopted in the Administrative Rules for Establishments licensed by the Health Inspection Program effective January 18, 2011. A certified food protection manager must be hired within 60 days of a new eating establishment opening or when a certified food protection manager leaves employment. Existing establishments have until January 18, 2012 to have a certified food protection manager at each establishment. Learn more.

Mushroom Forager Training and Certification

Restaurants that desire to serve wild harvested Maine mushrooms must comply with the Maine Food Code, a set of rules that control how all restaurants work to make sure the public is getting safe food. The Food Code says that all wild-foraged mushrooms sold to the public must meet some conditions, particularly with respect to species identification and harvester certification. Maine, as most all other states, has had no program to certify anyone as an approved source for wild mushrooms.

This training is not yet available but is coming soon. Please check this page for updates, which will be posted as they become available.

Fraudulent Health Inspector Alert

This is to alert you that the Health Inspection Program has received a complaint this week about an individual pretending to be a health inspector under the names of Frank Howard or Frank Stevens. The impersonator was calling stating they had received a complaint against an eating establishment and would be following up with a visit.

Please refer to the staff link for names of the Health Inspection Program Staff. Do not allow anyone without proper identification, to enter into your establishment to conduct a food inspection, nor provide or confirm personal information to anyone on the phone or in person pretending to be the state health department. You should also immediately call your local police department if you suspect that a person is acting fraudulently.

Business Answers for Licensed Facilities

The Health Inspection Program has prepared a series of questions and answers to assist those who are interested in starting a restaurant, bed and breakfast, hotel, tattoo parlor, or other facility licensed by the Program. Learn more.

A certified food protection manager must be hired within 60 days of a new eating establishment opening or when a certified food protection manager leaves employment. Existing establishments have until January 18, 2012 to have a certified food protection manager at each establishment.

American Red Cross Certificates

Effective January 1, 2011, all American Red Cross certificates with expiration dates (excludes programs like Babysitting and Learn to Swim) issued as of 1/1 will reflect a validity period of 2 years from the date of completion; this means 1-year CPR certifications will be 2-year and 3-year first aid certifications will also be 2-years, as recognized by the Red Cross.

Brad Rounds
Director of Health and Safety
American Red Cross
(207) 874-1192 ext 112

Policy Change to the Rules Relating to Tattoo and Body Piercing Practioners

The Department of Health and Human Services has become aware of a safety issue regarding cleaning, sanitizing and disposal of needles included in our rules. The particular section of 10-144 Chapter 210 Rules Relating to Tattoo Section 5.B.5 Care of Instruments and 10-144 Chapter 209 Rules Relating to Body Piercing 5.B.5 Care of Instruments states “Used needles shall be cleaned and sterilized before disposal. An ultrasonic cleaning machine and autoclave shall be recommended to fulfill this requirement.” We have determined that cleaning and sterilizing used needles before they are disposed of presents a safety issue and therefore the Department will not enforce this section. Read the entire policy. (doc file)

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small insects that feed on human blood. They are usually active at night when people are sleeping. Adult bed bugs have flat, rusty-red-colored oval bodies. About the size of an apple seed, they are big enough to be easily seen, but often hide in cracks in furniture, floors, or walls. Learn more.

TELEPHONE SCAM ALERT!

The Health Inspection Program has received a complaint about an individual pretending to be a health inspector under the name of Frank Martin. The impersonator was calling to set up an inspection appointment and ask personal information. The establishment was threatened with fines of $500 if they did not comply.

Please do not allow anyone without proper identification into your establishment, to conduct a food inspection nor provide or confirm personal information to anyone on the phone or in person pretending to be the state health department. You should also immediately call your local police department if you suspect that a person is acting fraudulently.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Recall

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, today announced a recall of Whitco Company LP Stadium Light Poles. Consumers should immediately stop using recalled products until they are inspected and repaired. Learn more at our CPSC page.

FDA Announces Tobacco Retailer Training Sessions

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products will host the first of five live retailer training sessions on federal tobacco regulations in Boston, MA on Monday, July 19 from 1–5 p.m. 

Retailers who sell tobacco are encouraged to participate in the training session in person, by phone, or by webcast.

http://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/ResourcesforYou/ForIndustry/
Retailer/ucm217770.htm

FDA has a variety of content available through content syndication including most of the content from their retail education campaign www.fda.gov/BreaktheChain.  More info on content syndication is available at http://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/ResourcesforYou/ucm216496.htm. 

FDA's Online Clearinghouse is now live at www.fda.gov/tobaccomaterials so retailers can order free flyers, posters, window clings, and more.

CDC.SyndicatedContent.setRegistrationId('cs_009'); You need javascript enabled to view this content or go to http://tools.cdc.gov/D0P.

Policy for Sewage Holding Tanks for Campgrounds and Mobile Food Units

This policy is written to specify the minimum construction standards and maximum tank liquid capacity for portable wastewater holding tanks used at campgrounds and mobile food takeout facilities without access to a direct sewer connection. This policy will include all campgrounds and mobile food takeout facilities licensed by the Health Inspection Program.

MS Word doc version Adobe pdf version

Emergency Consultation and Disease Reporting hotline.

For emergency after hours calls please call 1-800-821-5821.

Bed & Breakfast, 5 Rooms or Less

In response to legislation that was passed and reflected in Title 22 §2501 which states “Private homes are not deemed or considered lodging places and subject to a license when not more than 5 rooms are let…” the Department wants to clarify that your B&B establishment 5 rooms or less kitchen is still regulated as an eating place by the Department of Health and Human Services as you are preparing and serving a breakfast meal. The lodging piece of your establishment is not inspected by the Department however, a license and inspection is required for eating establishments per Title 22 Chapter 562 §2492.

Maine CDC Cautions Food Workers About Potential Poster Scams

Maine restaurateurs and caterers appear to have been the targets of an alleged scam involving the sale of hand-washing posters.

This week, Dr. Dora Anne Mills, Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention within the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, said that an ‘official-looking letter’ that appears to have been issued by the Maine CDC’s Health Inspection Program requests that special hand-washing posters be purchased from a certain company for $19.95 each. The letter includes an 800 number that can be used to place an order.

“The Maine CDC did not issue these letters and there is no requirement to purchase these posters,’’ Mills said.

Maine law requires hand-washing signs to be posted over all hand-washing sinks to remind employees that they must wash their hands before returning to their work and before preparing or serving food, Mills said.

“Proper hand-washing is the best way to prevent disease and ensure that food is handled and prepared safely.”

For more information, please contact Maine CDC’s Health Inspection Program 287-5671 or www.mainepublichealth.gov

Free hand-washing signs are available on the Health Inspection Program website at site-files/handouts/handwash.pdf

Training Opportunity

The Department accepts three nationally recognized Certified Food Manager courses that have been approved by the Conference of Food Protection. 

Virginia Graeme Baker Act

A copy of the U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission's information handout on theVirginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act is now available. By December 19, 2008, ALL public pool owners/operators must:

• Install drain covers that meet the ANSI/ASME A112.19.8–2007 standard on EVERY drain/ grate. A list of cover manufacturers can be found at www.cpsc.gov/whatsnew.html#pool.

• Install an automatic shut-off system, gravity drainage system, Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS), suction-limiting vent system or disable the drain, if the pool operates off of a SINGLE main drain. Pools and spas with unblockable drains are exempt from this requirement. A list of SVRS manufacturers can be found at www.cpsc.gov/whatsnew.html#pool.

• Ensure that dual or multiple main drains are at least 3 feet apart.

APSP Career Institute Webinar on VGB Act and ANSI-7

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals’s Career Institute has posted it’s webinar on the VGB Act and the ANSI-7 on the APSP homepage at www.APSP.org under “What’s New”. There is no cost to participate. 

Also available is APSP’s latest flyer, “VGB Compliance Guide”. This flyer and much more timely information on the VGB Act is available for downloading at www.APSP.org/VGB.