Read the Quarterly Retail Food Newsletter!

Read the newsletter in Constant Contact.

Top 5 Violations in Broomfield Retail Food Establishments from 1/1/24 - 5/1/24

Broomfield's Environmental Health Specialists keep track of the most common violations that come up at retail food establishment inspections. Take a look below so you can avoid these food code violations at your business:

1. Violation number 22 - Proper Cold Holding Temperatures(violation rate marked out of compliance 34.9%): Foods that require refrigeration must be refrigerated at 41 degrees F to prevent the growth of foodborne illness-causing bacteria. Learn how to better keep foods cold through keeping foods at 41 degrees F or below, regularly monitoring refrigeration and food temperatures, and more :
2. Violation number 23 - Proper Date Marking and Disposition of Food (violation rate marked out of compliance 34.7%): Ready-to-eat foods that require refrigeration and are held in the facility for over 24 hours must be labeled with the date they were made and must be thrown away after 7 days to control the growth of listeria and other bacteria. Learn the important information needed to set up a date marking process that will work for your establishment below:
3. Violation number 24 -Time as a Public Health Control (TPHC), Procedures and Record(violation rate marked out of compliance 30.0%): Written procedures and a method of identifying when a food item was removed from temperature control is required. Establishments can fill out a TPHC application as a means to prevent bacterial growth in food by limiting the amount of time food is held in the danger zone (between 35 F- 135 F) to less than 4 hours as outlined by Colorado Food Service Regulations in section 3-501.19. By following the written plan, foods will be allowed to be served even though they may be in the danger zone. Written procedures approved by the Department that ensure compliance with Section A - E must be maintained in the establishment and made available to the regulatory authority upon request. Any changes in recipe or procedure must be approved in advance by the City and County of Broomfield.
4. Violation number 10 - Adequate Handwashing Sinks Properly Supplied and Accessible (violation rate marked out of compliance 27.7%): Handwashing sinks need warm running water, soap, a hand dryer or clean disposable towels, and must be free from any obstruction. Hand sinks must be accessible at all times and cannot be used for anything else including: dumping, draining, washing fruits and vegetables, etc. This allows employees to properly perform hand hygiene at all times. Proper handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent contamination that causes foodborne illness.
5. Violation number 14 - Required Records Available; Molluscan Shellfish Identification, Parasite Destruction (violation rate marked out of compliance 22.2%): Shellstock tags are required to be kept in the original container until all of the shellstock from that batch are sold. Then, the date the last shellstock was sold must be written on the tag and kept for 90 days. Service of undercooked or raw fish requires a letter of verification from the distributor that the product has undergone parasite destruction.

2024 Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations : effective 3/16/2024

2024 Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations (en español): effective 3/16/2024

Important Updates

Allergen Food Labeling

Retail food establishments shall notify customers of major food allergens used as ingredients. Notification can either be physical or electronic means such as; brochures, deli care or menu notifications, label statements, table tents, placards, or other effective written means. The nine major food allergens include: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, soy, and sesame. Examples of notification of allergens can be found:

Please note: inspectors are checking for these written notifications displayed in establishments; please ensure your business has displayed a written notification of food allergens for consumers.

Virtual Retail Food Establishment Food Forum:

In years past, Broomfield Public Health and Environment has hosted an in-person Food Forum. This year, we're going digital! Keep an eye out for more information on this new way to provide feedback, coming September 2024.

Update Your Contact Information

The team wants to hear from you! Please verify your contact information to ensure effective communication with all establishments. This is important for any emergency alerts, recalls, and more. Complete this form to update your contact information.

Contact Us

Broomfield Public Health and Environment's Health Protection Team
[email protected]
720-887-2220

Additional Information

• Use MyHealthDepartment to pay fees, submit applications, and more. Please note that you need to make an account.
• Find common food safety tips through the FDA.