The Mystery of the Forbidden To-Go Boxes
posted by Emily Newton | May 4, 2016 | In NewsAs of February 1, 2016, FSU has been to-go box free. According to an email sent to all FSU faculty, staff, and students on January 31, 2016, FSU was found to be in “violation of Cumberland County’s strict health code” by offering “to-go” boxes for students, staff, faculty, and visitors. The decision was “not a university decision nor one enacted by Aramark, rather it is (FSU’s) response to a County Health code.” The email offered no specifics on the code(s), however, and some of our readers wanted answers.
“The health department reviews the same standards for other restaurants in Fayetteville that offer to-go boxes. How have they been able to escape this scrutiny?” However, one anonymous FSU employee went on to state that, “No one at FSU has been able to answer this question. I have emailed the health department about my concern, but they do not feel my concern warrants a response apparently.”
We, at the Voice, started an investigation in an attempt to find the answers to the following questions:
- What is the name of the code(s) and what does the code specifically state?
- When did the code(s) take effect?
- Why is it that other food establishments in Fayetteville are able to offer to-go boxes?
- Is there a way FSU can still offer to-go boxes and remain in compliance with the health code(s)?
Per the Restaurant Sanitation Ratings page on the Cumberland County Health Department’s webpage, there have been no violations by FSU relating to to-go boxes; inspections date back to May 3, 2012 and the inspection from January is not yet listed. Neither the NC Food Code Manual nor the Rules Governing the Food Protection and Sanitation of Food Establishments (both effective 9/1/2012) make any specific reference to to-go boxes or university rules. Links to each of the above can be found at: http://www.co.cumberland.nc.us/health/environmental/sanitation_ratings.aspx.
An email was sent to Charlisa Y. Davis, Environmental Health Program Specialist and inspector for FSU, on March 20 with no response. A call was made to the Department of Public Health on April 5; the receptionist transferred the call to Ms. Davis’ office and a voicemail was left with no response.
On the morning of April 7, an email was sent to Mr. Womble requesting the name of a person on campus who could answer questions about the health codes since the Health Department was not replying. Mr. Womble replied that “Codes are established by the health department and if you want specific information about those codes, you will need to speak with someone there.”
A visit was then made to the Health Department April 7. The secretary in the Environmental Health division stated that Ms. Davis is the only person who can answer specific questions relating to health codes. A message was left for Ms. Davis. Also on April 7, a voicemail and email were left with Mr. David Ortiz, Environmental Health Director, with no response.
An additional visit was made to the Department of Environmental Services on April 11. Ms. Davis was in the office, but too busy to answer questions. A handwritten note was left with the secretary along with the deadline for this article to be printed. No efforts to contact have been made by Ms. Davis.
According to an email received on April 15 from Mr. Will Altman-Fleming, Aramark General Manager, Aramark does offer reusable to-go containers “in cities/counties that there is not a food safety compliance issue.” None of the other colleges/universities in the UNC system that Aramark provides food services for offer to-go boxes because “North Carolina and Cumberland County have many specific standards when it comes to to-go’s.” However, UNC-CH, the system’s flagship school, which does not use Aramark, does offer to-go boxes. And although UNC-CH is in another county, in one county over from FSU, Robeson, UNC-Pembroke also allows to-go boxes.
And so the logic against to-go boxes, which seemingly operates only in Cumberland County, is still unclear. What these codes specifically state and where they can be located are answers we are still awaiting.
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