KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Public Health - Seattle & King County conducted food safety inspections at Safeco Field during yesterday's baseball game. Inspectors identified one "red critical" violation for inaccessible handwashing facilities at one food establishment. This problem was corrected immediately.

"This is a success story," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "Public Health and Safeco Field staff have worked together to reach common goals."

During yesterday's game at Safeco Field, Public Health inspectors conducted 21 food safety inspections. Seven of these were re-inspections of food establishments with previous violations, and 14 were randomly conducted, routine inspections. All, but one, were satisfactory. In addition, Public Health staff conducted 33 educational sessions while food stands were in operation, educating food handlers about safe food handling practices "in real time."

The Mariners and Volume Services America have implemented several key strategies to assure safe food handling practices. These include hiring on-site sanitarians to monitor food safety, implementing a start-up checklist system, assuring that employees have food handlers cards, and providing on-going education for food handling staff.

Public Health will continue assisting with educational sessions and will continue to conduct random, food safety inspections at Safeco Field.

Public Health's Food Protection Program oversees approximately 9,400 food service establishments, 1,100 meat/poultry/fish establishments, and 2,000 temporary food booths per year. Approximately 33,000 food service inspections are projected for 1999 in addition to another 12,000 education and consultation visits. Public Health typically closes about 100 food service operations each year until their food safety problems are corrected.