St. Joseph's Food Service receives perfect score from Co. Health Department

Food Service at St. Joseph's Hospital in Breese received a perfect score of 100 following an April 8 inspection by the Clinton County Health Department.

"A score of 100 means that patients, visitors and staff can be assured of receiving food that is properly prepared, served and stored," explained Food Service Manager Marilyn Schulte.

The hospital is in the high category which includes full-service restaurants, grocery stores that utilize raw meats and facilities handling foods with specific requirements for storage, heating, cooling and reheating.          In addition to food storage, preparation and serving areas, the health department, which inspects all county food establishments twice a year, checks clean-up areas and water temperature to make sure proper sanitation procedures are being followed, Schulte said.

"Proper sanitation is of major importance in preventing the spread of disease and infection," she explained. "We have to be extremely careful that food is properly prepared and dishware is sanitized."

Staff training is also checked. Continuing education on food service safety and sanitation is provided and many of the full-time food service employees are certified, Schulte said.

Certification means the staff member has passed a 15-hour class on food handling, preparation, serving, receiving and storage; facility maintenance; housekeeping and sanitizing; management responsibilities; pest control; hygiene; food borne illness; use of equipment; safe water supply; time and temperature control.

St. Joseph's in Breese serves about 90 patient meals and 300 cafeteria meals a day, Schulte said. The department also provides breakfasts and lunches for children attending Head Start in Breese as well as lunches for Senior Renewal clients at the HealthPlex and volunteer quilters at the Quilting Building.