There are hundreds of permitted food establishments in our six counties. The West Virginia Food Establishment Rule governs retail food establishments such as restaurants, bars, grocery stores, schools, hospitals, daycare establishments, temporary food stands at special events, food trucks, etc. The rule incorporates, by reference, the majority of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Food Code.
Our Environmental Health Services staff conducts risk-based inspections of all food establishments yearly and responds to complaints with immediate investigations. The purpose of the inspections are to assure that the food is being handled properly from storage to preparation and serving. Inspectors observe all workers’ food handling practices, assure equipment is working properly, take food temperatures, inspect all refrigeration and storage areas, assure water temperatures, and correct level and uses of sanitizers. Any violations that are noted are discussed with the Person in Charge and a plan of action is put into place to correct any violations in a timely manner. Violations are listed as Priority, Priority Foundation, and Core. Priority violations should be corrected within 72 hours after the inspection. Priority Foundation violations should be corrected within 10 calendar days after the inspection. Core violations need to be corrected by a date and time agreed to or specified by the regulatory authority, but no later than 90 calendar days after the inspection.
The link below will take you to a searchable online database of inspections. Keep in mind that any inspection report is a “snapshot” of the day and time of the inspection, and is not a picture of the ongoing conditions of that facility. On any given day, a facility could have fewer or more violations than noted in the report.