Adams County health reports online

Restaurant inspections by the Adams County Health Department are now available online. Visit the Adams County web site for links, or click here.

During the course of an inspection, the inspectors perform a variety of tasks including taking temperatures of food being cooked, checking food being stored for future use or available for consumer consumption, measuring the levels of sanitizing agents in dishwashing units and for cleaning food contact surfaces, reviewing the policies and procedures of an establishment, looking for signs of possible rodent or insect infestations, monitoring the process of how food is received and held in storage areas, checking the general cleanliness of the establishment including restrooms, outside refuse sites, and kitchen prep area locations, eliminating cross contamination of food by making sure raw products are properly stored, and working with establishments to develop good personal hygiene programs that promote frequent hand washing, the use of hair restraints, and not having any bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food. Repeat inspections of establishments are performed-usually within a week and sometimes sooner-if numerous problems are noted or there are unsanitary conditions. Inspectors also present periodic educational programs for groups and individual establishments.
The local department's goal is to ensure Adams County food establishments provide safe food products. Inspections and educational programs are important ways of striving to reach that goal.