Archive for November, 2018

Organizations Exempt from Kitchen Licensing

2018/11/29

I knew of “exempt”, meaning a homeless lunch program or soup kitchen, but upon further examination, the State of Maryland’s definition is much broader.

My read on this is that any 501(c)(3) nonprofit, including houses of worship of any denomination or faith, can prepare/cook and demo/taste/serve any type of food (TCS as well as non-TCS) to the public, without the need of a licensed kitchen, as long as this is not done more than 4 days a week.

Of course this needs to be verified and all the i’s dotted and t’s crossed with the health department, but I think I have uncovered an important piece of information, especially with regards to cooking demonstrations. It is very encouraging that the Montgomery County (Maryland) Health Department Inspection database has an “Excluded organization” category.

If secular nonprofit organizations like the American Legion, VFW and Moose Lodge are exempt from kitchen licensing, then all churches, religious organizations as well as clergy should be also.

REFERENCES

MARYLAND Food Handlers List of TCS Foods
https://www.mdfoodhandlers.com/Content.aspx?PageName=TCS

IRS Publication 1828 Tax Guide for Churches & Religious Organizations
Congress has enacted special tax laws that apply to churches, religious organizations and ministers in recognition of their unique status in American society and of their rights guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. Churches and religious organizations are generally exempt from income tax and receive other favorable treatment under the tax law.
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1828.pdf

Code of Maryland (COMAR) Regulations (Last Updated: July 29,2016)
Title 10. Department of Health & Mental Hygiene Subtitle 15. FOOD, Part 3.
Chapter 10.15.03. Food Service Facilities
http://mdrules.elaws.us/comar/10.15.03

COMAR Sec. 10.15.03.02. Definitions – Code of Maryland Regulations
(28a) “Excluded organization” means a bona fide nonprofit fraternal, civic, war veterans’, religious, or charitable organization or corporation that does not serve food to the public more often than 4 days per week, except that once a year an organization may serve food to the public for up to 14 consecutive days.
http://mdrules.elaws.us/comar/10.15.03.02

There are currently 7 excluded organizations listed by the Montgomery County Health Department:
o AMERICAN LEGION #086
o BAUER DRIVE COMMUNITY CENTER
o BLAKE BOOSTER CLUB CONCESSION STAND
o GWENDOLYN E. COFFIELD COMM. CENTER
o POTOMAC COMMUNITY CENTER
o VFW TAKOMA POST 350
o WHEATON MOOSE LODGE #1775
https://stat.montgomerycountymd.gov

Posted in Food & Culinary Arts, General, Maryland, Montgomery County | 1 Comment »

Expiration Dates, or lack thereof

2018/11/07

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates as much as 40 percent of all food grown, produced and shipped in the U.S. will never be eaten.

A confusing system of food labeling has led to consumers throwing away billions of dollars worth of food products every year, and much of that food is completely safe to eat.

“A lot of people confuse quality and safety,” food research scientist Linda Harris said. “That’s a big problem.”

Harris is the chair of Food Science and Technology at the University of California, Davis. She said most food is perfectly safe to eat past the date on the label. That’s because most dates on food are not “expiration” dates. They actually tell consumers when peak freshness or flavor drops off.

“The date is meant to signal quality,” Harris said. “It’s not a safety issue.”  “It’s not illegal to sell a product past its ‘best-by’ date,” she said.

The only items required by federal law to be labeled for expiration are infant formula and some baby foods; some states also mandate pulling dairy from store shelves on the expiration date.  The actual term “Expiration Date” refers to the last date a food should be eaten or used.

The labeling “sell by” tells the store how long to display the product for sale.  This is basically a guide for the retailer, so the store knows when to pull the item.  The “sell by” date is the last day the item is at its highest level of quality, but it will still be edible for some time after.

“Best if used by (or before)” date. This refers strictly to quality, not safety. This date is recommended for best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.

Ref 1: ‘Use By’ Dates on Food Create Consumer Confusion, June 19, 2018
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Use-By-Dates-on-Food-Create-Consumer-Confusion-485818791.html

Ref 2: Do Food Expiration Dates Really Matter? – WebMD
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/do-food-expiration-dates-matter

Ref 3: Wasted: How America Is Losing Up to 40 Percent of Its Food from Farm to Fork to Landfill
https://www.nrdc.org/resources/wasted-how-america-losing-40-percent-its-food-farm-fork-landfill

Ref 4: USDA Office of the Chief Economist
https://www.usda.gov/oce/foodwaste/faqs.htm

 

Posted in Food & Culinary Arts, General | 2 Comments »