CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST NETWORK (EHS-NET) FOOD SAFETY AND WAT

Project Summary/Abstract The California EHS-Net Food Safety and Water Safety programs will collaborate with both State and local food and water regulatory programs to conduct the following two joint research projects: 1) Food and Water Safety Risk Factors Associated with Mobile Food Vehicles, and 2) An Assessment of California's Local Environmental Health Agencies' Capacities in 2011. Few studies have examined food and water safety risk factors associated with mobile food facilities, such as mobile food preparation vehicle units (MFPUs). The objectives of this study are to collect data on: 1) the quality of potable water on food trucks; 2) water sanitation practices of food operators, 3) personal hygiene practices of vehicle food workers, and 4) preparation and holding practices for potentially hazardous foods during times of operation. The purpose of this study is to expand EHS-Net's and California's knowledge regarding a wide-range of potential risk factors related associated with MFPUs ('food trucks'). Knowledge gained will help to identify and reduce risk factors associated with illness, and inform future inspectional and disease prevention efforts for the regulatory community. A number of statewide studies have been conducted prior to 2006 that assessed environmental health capacities, needs and barriers. These studies occurred prior to the onset of the current national recession in 2008. This study will examine current capacities of local California environmental health agencies regarding delivery of core services, and familiarity with and/or implementation of the 10 essential services of environmental health during this era of extreme economic challenges. Where possible, changes in capacities will also be evaluated by comparisons with findings from a previous study conducted in California in 2005. California EHS-Net Water will conduct a water-specific study on the relationship of pool closures to requirements for certified pool operator (CPO) training. Previous studies demonstrate the benefit of CPO certification in preventing recreational water illnesses. The objectives of this study are to collect descriptive data on: 1) county policies on who conducts pool inspections, 2) which counties require CPO certification training; and 3) the relationship between training/certification and pool closures and complaints.