Notices

February 2005

In the New Jersey State Regulations governing Retail Food Establishments New Jersey Administrative Code (NJAC) 8:24-1.1 et seq reference is made to the handling of food no less than 20 times.

The CDC warns us to keep our hands washed in order to avoid colds and flu and other diseases. The CDC also warns that most food-borne disease is caused by improper handling of foods.

So, if we know that Health Authorities are so concerned about hands and handling food why do we ignore good hand hygiene? Did you know that many communicable diseases are transmitted from person to person by hand? A common expression used by Health Authorities investigating food-borne illnesses is the "fecal-oral route" whereby fecal waste is conveyed to the mouth primarily by unwashed hands!

Remember:

• Protect food from unnecessary handling
• Wash hands after handling raw foods
• Use utensils and equipment to minimize manual contact with foods
• Maintain good hand hygiene - wash hands before handling food and as often as is necessary during food prep
• Washing hands is mandatory after visiting the toilet, eating, smoking, handling raw foods, and before food preparation
• Handle clean cups, dishes, glasses, forks, knives, spoons, and other food contact utensils by handles only

The way you handle food is easily observed by your customers. If they don't like what they see they will call us to investigate.

John J. Ferraioli, Health Officer

Judith DeSciscio, President

Board of Health

Protecting Your Home from Mosquitoes

The Kenilworth Health Officer is advising residents to protect themselves from mosquitoes by reducing mosquito habitats around their homes. Under the right environmental conditions, certain species of mosquitoes can develop and emerge as adults in as little as one week. More importantly, some species of adult mosquitoes can carry and transmit diseases such as West Nile Virus (WNV), Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE).

Due to the recent rainfall and flooding, there may be more mosquito-breeding habitats. Small amounts of stagnant water provide an ideal location for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. Residents play an important role in mosquito control by eliminating habitats where mosquitoes breed by following these tips:

• Cleaning roof gutters at least annually.
• Remove any unnecessary containers from the property (flower pots/trays, tires, toys, boats, buckets).
• Drain and rinse birdbaths twice a week.
• Aerate and/or stock ornamental ponds with fish.
• Configure tarps to drain any incidental rainwater.
• Close pools when not in use. Pool covers can collect rainwater and provide a habitat for mosquitoes.

In addition, residents should:

• Avoid mosquito-infested areas at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear protective clothing such as long pants and long sleeve shirts when outdoors.
• Wear insect repellant, preferably one that contains DEET, Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always follow label directions.
• Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.

For more information contact the Kenilworth Health Department at 908-276-2740 or email the Board of Health.

Contact
John J. Ferraioli
For Immediate Release
Health Officer 

March 17, 2006

Tax Day & Smoke-Free Day April 15th

Following the governor's signature, the 'Smoke-Free Air Act' becomes law on April 15th, 2006.

On that date, it will be unlawful for anyone to smoke in indoor workplaces and places open to the public. Limited exemptions include casinos, cigar bars enclosed with separate ventilation, a tobacco retail store, private residencies, and private vehicles. Enforcement of this law is delegated to the New Jersey State Health Department and to local health departments.

The Kenilworth Health Department is asking those who are in control of indoor workplaces and places open to the public to become familiar with this new law before April 15th to insure that their facilities will be compliant by that date.

While the Health Department will not specifically investigate each and every place that will be covered by this law on the 15th, it will, by virtue of its routine inspections, issue violations to anyone who is not in compliance after that date. It will however investigate any complaints made to the Health Department of violations after April 14th.

Violations of this law come with a fine of $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense, and $1,000 for the third and each subsequent offense. In addition to those in control of the public place or workplace, we are asking smokers to be aware that this law applies equally to them while they are at work or in public places.

Smokers who wish to stop smoking are encouraged to call the 'NJ Quit Line' at 866-657-8677. The benefits of quitting are life-enhancing. These life-enhancing qualities include: a normal blood carbon monoxide level after 12 hours after your last cigarette; one year after your last smoke your risk of having a heart attack is half that of a smoker's; and 10 years after your last cigarette your risk of dying from lung cancer is half that of a smoker.

For further information about non-smoking please contact the Kenilworth Health Department at 908-276-2740 or contact Prevention LINKS at 732-381-4100 or contact NJ GASP at 908-273-9368.

On October 1, 2008, the Governor signed into Law New Jersey Statutes (NJSA) 2A:170-51.5 which is a ban on the sale of certain flavored cigarettes. This became effective on November 30, 2008. Cigarettes containing flavors other than tobacco, clove, and or menthol which either the cigarette or its smoke imparts a distinguishing flavor, taste, or aroma or is advertised or marketed as having or producing any taste, flavor, or aroma (except for little cigars, small cigars, cigarillos, large cigars, pipe tobacco or smokeless tobacco) are banned from sale in New Jersey.

The proliferation of these flavored cigarettes serving as an attraction, especially to children in adolescents will lead to increase tobacco use, addiction, and higher health care cost due to increasing incidents of smoking-related illness and death. They, therefore, are recognized as a significant threat to the health of the public, and this public health preventive initiative is warranted.

Enforcement of this law is an obligation for the Local Health Department and Police Department Officials. Upon entry into a retail establishment where these cigarettes are sold, a summons will be issued with the potential civil penalty of $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense, and a third and subsequent offenses at $1,000. The Board of Health may hold hearings with merchants after the second offense and my petition to the State Department of Treasury to suspend or revoke their tobacco license. While this Notice is given as a prior warning anyone found to be in violation will face legal action by either the Health or Police Officials.