North Central Health District

Houston Co Health Dept Takes PH to the Fair

Posted November 3, 2014 by NCHD Admin

The Houston County Health Department’s environmental health specialists attended the Georgia National Fair held last week in Perry, Georgia, but they didn’t go to see farm animals or enjoy fair rides. Instead, they were on the job and working to ensure all 450,000 people in attendance were protected from food-borne illnesses.

The Georgia National Fair permitted 125 temporary food vendors this year, which made it one of the largest temporary food vendor events in the state. The environmental health specialists worked morning and evening shifts throughout the fair that ran Oct. 2-12. Normally, a temporary event is not inspected daily, but due to the volume of attendees, length of the event, and because it is also an agricultural fair, the health department felt it was important to be there daily.

Inspectors were on the lookout for running hot water, proper water and sewage connections, food storage, food preparation and hand washing. None of the participating booths could be permitted until they scored a perfect 100 on their health assessment.

“They have to make a 100,” said Christine Buffington, lead environmental health specialist for the Houston County Health Department. “If they can’t make a 100 before the fair opens, there was no way they would be able to score a 100 when the gates open and they are serving thousands of people a day.”

Buffington says the vendors were very supportive of the work done by the health department and commended the staff on their strict adherence to safety measures.

“These vendors participate in the Georgia National Fair each year so they really know what to expect from us throughout the inspection process,” said Buffington. “I have been told numerous times that the opening inspections at the Georgia National Fair are some of the toughest in the nation.”

James LaFratta, owner of Perfection Confection, has been a food vendor at the Georgia National Fair since it began in 1990. He is grateful for the work done by the health department because he can feel more confident about the quality of the product he is selling to customers.

“This is what we do,” said LaFratta. “So we better do it well!”

Food vendor Irene Clearo also agreed. “We want everybody to be healthy at the fair – so it’s very important that we stay clean and sanitized,” she said.

The Georgia National Fair is an event that each environmental health specialist eagerly anticipates each year, both for the opportunity to serve local citizens and participate in the festivities as well.

“The fair is one of the highlights of Houston County as well as the State of Georgia,” Buffington said. “The Houston County Health Department was thrilled to be a key partner and excited to play such an important role in the fair’s success – not to mention we also enjoy the food!”