Article 4. Inspection and Correction of Violations
2VAC5-585-3800. Frequency, establishing inspection interval.
A. Except as specified in subsections B and C of this section, the department shall inspect a food establishment at least once every six months.
B. The department may increase the interval between inspections beyond six months if:
1. The food establishment is fully operating under an approved and validated HACCP plan as specified under subdivisions 2 and 3 of 2VAC5-585-3542 and 2VAC5-585-3630;
2. The food establishment is assigned a less frequent inspection frequency based on a written risk-based inspection schedule that is being uniformly applied throughout the jurisdiction; or
3. The establishment's operation involves only coffee service and other unpackaged or prepackaged food that is not time/temperature control for safety food such as carbonated beverages and snack food such as chips, nuts, popcorn, and pretzels.
C. The department shall periodically inspect a temporary food establishment that prepares, sells, or serves unpackaged time/temperature control for safety food and that:
1. Has improvised rather than permanent facilities or equipment for accomplishing functions such as handwashing, food preparation and protection, food temperature control, warewashing, providing drinking water, waste retention and disposal, and insect and rodent control; or
2. Has inexperienced food employees.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Volume 24, Issue 02, eff. October 16, 2007; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 19, eff. June 24, 2021.
2VAC5-585-3810. Performance-based and risk-based inspections.
Within the parameters specified in 2VAC5-585-3800, the department shall prioritize, and conduct more frequent inspections based upon its assessment of a food establishment's history of compliance with this chapter and the establishment's potential as a vector of foodborne illness by evaluating:
1. Past performance for nonconformance with this chapter or HACCP plan requirements that are priority items or priority foundation items;
2. Past performance for numerous or repeat violations of this chapter or HACCP plan requirements that are core items;
3. Past performance for complaints investigated and found to be valid;
4. The hazards associated with the particular foods that are prepared, stored, or served;
5. The type of operation including the methods and extent of food storage, preparation, and service;
6. The number of people served; and
7. Whether the population served is a highly susceptible population.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016.
2VAC5-585-3815. Competency of inspectors.
A. An authorized representative of the commissioner who inspects a food establishment or conducts plan review for compliance with this chapter shall have the knowledge, skills, and ability to adequately perform the required duties.
B. The department shall ensure that authorized representatives who inspect a food establishment or conduct plan review for compliance with this chapter have access to training and continuing education as needed to properly identify violations and apply the chapter.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 19, eff. June 24, 2021.
2VAC5-585-3820. Access allowed at reasonable times.
After the authorized representative of the commissioner presents official credentials and provides notice of the purpose of and an intent to conduct an inspection, the person in charge shall allow the authorized representative to determine if the food establishment is in compliance with this chapter by allowing access to the establishment, allowing inspection, and providing information and records specified in this chapter and to which the department is entitled according to law, during the food establishment's hours of operation and other reasonable times.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 19, eff. June 24, 2021.
2VAC5-585-3830. Refusal, notification of right to access, and final request for access.
If a person denies access to the authorized representative of the commissioner, the authorized representative shall:
1. Inform the person that:
a. The person is required to allow access to the authorized representative as specified under 2VAC5-585-3820;
b. The department will refer the matter to the Commonwealth's Attorney for handling in accordance with applicable sections of the Code of Virginia; and
2. Make a final request for access.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016.
2VAC5-585-3840. Refusal, reporting.
If after the authorized representative of the commissioner presents credentials and provides notice as specified under 2VAC5-585-3820, explains the authority upon which access is requested, and makes a final request for access as specified in 2VAC5-585-3830, the person in charge continues to refuse access, the authorized representative shall provide details of the denial of access on an inspection report form.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016.
2VAC5-585-3850. Inspection order to gain access.
If denied access to a food establishment for an authorized purpose and after complying with 2VAC5-585-3830, the department may apply for the issuance of an inspection order to gain access as provided in law.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007.
2VAC5-585-3860. Documenting information and observations.
The authorized representative of the commissioner shall document :
1. Administrative information about the food establishment's legal identity, street and mailing addresses, type of establishment and operation, inspection date, and other information such as type of water supply and sewage disposal, and personnel certificates that may be required; and
2. Specific factual observations of violative conditions or other deviations from this chapter that require correction by the establishment operator including:
a. Failure of the person in charge to demonstrate the knowledge of foodborne illness prevention, application of HACCP principles, and the requirements of this chapter specified under 2VAC5-585-60;
b. Failure of food employees, conditional employees, and the person in charge to report a disease or medical condition as specified under 2VAC5-585-80 B and D;
c. Nonconformance with priority items and priority foundation items of this chapter;
d. Failure of the appropriate food employees to demonstrate their knowledge of, and ability to perform in accordance with, the procedural, monitoring, verification, and corrective action practices required by the department as specified under 2VAC5-585-3542;
e. Failure of the person in charge to provide records required by the department for determining conformance with a HACCP plan as specified under subdivision 5 g of 2VAC5-585-3630; and
f. Nonconformance with critical limits of a HACCP plan.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007; amended, Virginia Register Volume 26, Issue 7, eff. January 1, 2010; Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 19, eff. June 24, 2021.
2VAC5-585-3870. Specifying time frame for corrections.
The authorized representative of the commissioner shall specify on the inspection report form the time frame for correction of the violations as specified under 2VAC5-585-3910, 2VAC5-585-3930, and 2VAC5-585-3950.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007.
2VAC5-585-3880. Issuing report and obtaining acknowledgment of receipt.
At the conclusion of the inspection and according to law, the authorized representative of the commissioner shall provide a copy of the completed inspection report and the notice to correct violations to the person in charge, and request a signed acknowledgment of receipt.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007.
2VAC5-585-3890. Refusal to sign acknowledgment.
The authorized representative of the commissioner shall:
1. Inform a person who declines to sign an acknowledgment of receipt of inspectional findings as specified in 2VAC5-585-3880 that:
a. An acknowledgment of receipt is not an agreement with findings;
b. Refusal to sign an acknowledgment of receipt will not affect the operator's obligation to correct the violations noted in the inspection report within the time frames specified; and
c. A refusal to sign an acknowledgment of receipt is noted in the inspection report and conveyed to the department's historical record for the food establishment; and
2. Make a final request that the person in charge sign an acknowledgment receipt of inspectional findings.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007.
2VAC5-585-3900. Public information.
Except as specified in 2VAC5-585-3640, the department shall treat the inspection report as a public document and shall make it available for disclosure to a person who requests it as provided in law.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007.
2VAC5-585-3910. Imminent health hazard, ceasing operations and reporting.
A. Except as specified in subsections B and C of this section, an operator shall immediately discontinue operations and notify the department if an imminent health hazard may exist because of an emergency such as a fire, flood, extended interruption of electrical or water service, sewage backup, misuse of poisonous or toxic materials, onset of an apparent foodborne illness outbreak, gross insanitary occurrence or condition, or other circumstance that may endanger public health.P
B. An operator need not discontinue operations in an area of an establishment that is unaffected by the imminent health hazard.
C. Considering the nature of the potential hazard involved and the complexity of the corrective action needed, the department may agree to continuing operations in the event of an extended interruption of electrical or water service if:
1. A written emergency operating plan has been approved by the department;
2. Immediate corrective action is taken to eliminate, prevent, or control any food safety risk and imminent health hazard associated with the electrical or water service interruption; and
3. The department is informed upon implementation of the written emergency operating plan.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 19, eff. June 24, 2021.
2VAC5-585-3920. Resumption of operations.
If operations are discontinued as specified under 2VAC5-585-3910 or otherwise according to law, the operator shall obtain approval from the department before resuming operations.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007.
2VAC5-585-3930. Priority or priority foundation item, timely correction.
A. Except as specified in subsection B of this section, an operator or person in charge shall at the time of inspection correct a violation of a priority item or priority foundation item of this chapter and implement corrective actions for a HACCP plan provision that is not in compliance with its critical limit.Pf
B. Considering the nature of the potential hazard involved and the complexity of the corrective action needed, the department may agree to or specify a longer timeframe, not to exceed:
1. 72 hours after the inspection, for the operator to correct violations of a priority item; or
2. 10 calendar days after the inspection, for the operator to correct violations of a priority foundation item or HACCP plan deviations.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016.
2VAC5-585-3940. Verification and documentation of correction.
A. After observing at the time of inspection a correction of a violation of a priority item or priority foundation item or a HACCP plan deviation, the authorized representative of the commissioner shall enter the violation and information about the corrective action on the inspection report.
B. As specified under 2VAC5-585-3930 B, after receiving notification that the operator has corrected a violation of a priority item or priority foundation item or HACCP plan deviation, or at the end of the specified period of time, the authorized representative shall verify correction of the violation or deviation during the next inspection of the establishment and shall document the information on an inspection report, and enter the report in the department's records.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 19, eff. June 24, 2021.
2VAC5-585-3950. Core items, timely correction.
A. Except as specified in subsection B of this section, the operator or person in charge shall correct core items by a date and time agreed to or specified by the department but no later than 90 calendar days after the inspection.
B. The department may approve a compliance schedule that extends beyond the time limits specified under subsection A of this section if a written schedule of compliance is submitted by the operator and no health hazard exists or will result from allowing an extended schedule for compliance.
Statutory Authority
§ 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007; amended, Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 12, 2016.
2VAC5-585-3960. (Reserved).
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 2, eff. October 16, 2007.