Reno/Sparks, Nev. – Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) is providing additional guidance to food establishments impacted by regional wildfires, evacuations and power outages.

Food establishments permitted by NNPH that temporarily closed or lost power due to the Hawk Fire do not need to wait for NNPH to provide official approval to reopen.

Food establishments that voluntarily closed or temporarily suspended operations may self-reopen once they have verified that conditions are safe for food preparation and service and the establishment can operate in compliance with food safety requirements.

NNPH Environmental Health Services teams are working in impacted areas and conducting spot checks at food establishments to provide guidance and help operators safely resume operations. These visits are intended to assist establishments with evaluating food safety conditions following power outages and other fire-related impacts.

Before resuming food preparation or service, operators should verify:

• Power has been restored and electrical equipment is operating properly.
• Gas service, if applicable, has been restored and equipment is functioning safely.
• Hot and cold potable running water is available for handwashing, food preparation and dishwashing.
• Adequate water pressure is available throughout the establishment.
• Refrigeration equipment is operating properly and refrigerators are maintaining food at 41°F or below.
• Hot-holding equipment is operating properly and capable of maintaining required food temperatures.
• Ventilation and exhaust systems are operating properly before using cooking equipment that requires mechanical ventilation.
• Warewashing equipment and/or sinks are operational, and utensils and food-contact surfaces can be properly washed, rinsed and sanitized.
• Lighting is adequate for employees to safely prepare food and clean the establishment.
• The facility has been checked for any other conditions resulting from the fire, evacuation or power outage that could prevent safe food preparation and service.
• Restroom facilities are operational.
• All potentially hazardous/time-temperature control for safety foods have been evaluated based on the length of the power outage and food temperatures.
• Any food determined to be unsafe has been discarded.

For additional information, review the NNPH Guidelines for Power Outages at Food Establishments or contact the Food Safety Program at 775-328-2434 or foodsafety@nnph.org.

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Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making District Board of Health. NNPH consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Population Health. More information is available at NNPH.org.