TULSA, OK – [September 23, 2013] – The Tulsa Health Department has a long history of working closely with the Tulsa State Fair to ensure that fairgoers can indulge in their favorite fair cuisine without fear of contracting a foodborne illness. This year, the fair will include more than 250 individual food booths that must be inspected for compliance with State food regulations.
“Our staff works hard to educate the fair vendors about food safety and conduct frequent inspections to make sure the vendors are using safe food handling practices,” said Debbie Watts, manager of food protection services. “This has proven very effective in protecting the public.”
Tulsa Health Department sanitarians will put in 570 man hours throughout the duration of the fair conducting approximately 750 food inspections. They will educate vendors on appropriate food handling procedures and most importantly, ensure that proper hand washing techniques are used.
The Tulsa Health Department works to safeguard public health through education on safe food handling practices and the regulation of food service establishments. THD performs more than 11,000 inspections of approximately 3,500 food service establishments annually. In addition, approximately 500 food safety training classes are conducted each year to educate restaurant employees and other food employees on food safety. For more information please visit the Food Safety section of our website.
