Health Inspections
Inspection scores are determined by the health inspector at the time of inspection. Using the Washington State Department of Health inspection form, Health Code violations are worth a certain number of points, ranging from 2 points - 25 points. Violations are also categorized by color: Red points are high-risk, or critical violations; Blue points are violations that are considered low risk.
Enforcement ProcedureWhat Is A Failing Score?
Based on Whitman County Enforcement Procedure, a failing score is 40 or more red points, or 50 or more combined points. Combined points are the sum of red and blue points. A zero point total indicates no health violations were cited during the inspection.
Enforcement Procedure Summary
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Routine Inspection
Any routine inspections accumulating more than 40 red points will require an automatic first re-inspection within 2-4 weeks and will include a re-inspection fee of $150. Any routine inspection accumulating more than 50 combined red and blue points will require an automatic first re-inspection within 2-4 weeks and will include a re-inspection fee of $150. Any routine inspection accumulating 85 or more red points or 100 or more total points will result in immediate closure of establishment until all violations are corrected. Immediate closure will result in a Health Officer meeting.
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First Re-inspection
Re-inspections will take place within 2-4 weeks of the initial failed inspection. All red and blue category violations cited on the initial failed inspection report will be the focus of the first re-inspection, however all violations observed during the first re-inspection cited will be addressed. Unless part of a compliance schedule, any egregious repeat violation that continues to pose an immediate health risk OR a failed first re-inspection will result in a second re-inspection within 2-4 weeks at a fee of $300.
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Second Re-Inspection
Unless part of a compliance schedule, any egregious repeat violation that continues to pose an immediate health risk OR a failed second re-inspection will result in permit suspension, which will require closure of the establishment. A Health Officer meeting with Whitman County PublicHealth Department will be arranged and an additional fee of $500 will be charged. It is at this time that the permit holder must provide a statement to the Health Officer describing the correction of violation(s) in order to re-open the establishment.
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Permit Reinstatement
After the Health Officer meeting, the establishment will be re-inspected for the corrected violations within ten business days. An establishment’s permit will be reinstated after all fees have been paid.
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An Additional Routine Inspection
An additional routine inspection will be conducted within 2-4 weeks of a second re-inspection and/or re-instatement of a suspended permit.
Food Service Applications
Interested in starting up a restaurant, food truck, catering business, or other food service establishment in Whitman County? See below for information on start up, regulations or requirements.
Food Service Establishment Application
If wishing to complete the form by hand, download, print and email the Food Service Establishment Application to EH@whitmancounty.net.
Catering Plan Application
If wishing to complete the form by hand, download, print and email the Catering Plan Application to EH@whitmancounty.net.
Mobile Unit Application
If wishing to complete the form by hand, download, print and email the Mobile Unit Application to EH@whitmancounty.net.
Commissary Application
If wishing to complete the form by hand, download, print and email the Commissary Application to EH@whitmancounty.net.
Donated Food Distributing Organizations Application
If wishing to complete the form by hand, download, print and email the Donated Food Distributing Organizations Application to EH@whitmancounty.net.
Temporary Food Events
A Temporary Food Establishment operates at a fixed location, with a fixed menu for no more than 21 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration such as Lentil Festival, Sprint Boat Races, County Fair, weekend event, etc; OR no more than 3 days per week in conjunction with an approved, recurring, organized event. Examples of TFE’s: food vendors at fairs, community events, craft shows, sporting events, fundraisers by community organizations, food samplers and demonstrators at approved events.
Event Requirements
DownloadEvent Application
ApplyYou need a temporary food establishment permit to sell, sample or give away food. In 1 location up to 21 days in a row and for 1 public event (like a fair or festival).
Event Exemption Application
ApplyYou need a temporary food establishment permit to sell, sample or give away food. In 1 location up to 21 days in a row and for 1 public event (like a fair or festival).
Whitman County Approved Kitchens
Click below to view the vendors currently licensed as approved kitchens, mobile units, caterers and community vendors.
If you are interested in becoming licensed, see the Food Service Application section of this page.
Food Safety Certifications
All food service employees in Whitman County are required to hold a current Washington State Food Handler Permit. This helps to ensure that all employees are equipped with the Food Safety knowledge they need to help protect the public.
Food Workers Card
Who does this apply to?
You are a food worker if you work with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils, or with any surface where people put unwrapped food.
NEHA - Food Safety
Who does this apply to?
Often employed in any retail food environment as a quality assurance or quality control manager, facility manager, food-safe chemical supplier, or regulatory inspector/investigator.
ServSafe - Food Handler
Who does this apply to?
Washington State requires that all food workers have food safety training before handling food served to the public.
ServSafe - Manager
Who does this apply to?
The ServSafe Manager Certification verifies that a manager or person-in-charge has sufficient food safety knowledge to protect the public from foodborne illness.
ANSI Certified Food Protection
Who does this apply to?
These ANSI Certified Food Protection courses are required for each food establishment to have at minimum one employee obtain.