2021-03-23-BOH-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Perry said that a returnable container would have to be a container that can be washed/sanitized. The cleaning of the container would be the responsibility of the food permit holder. Dr. Perlmutter stated there is a standard for this, milk delivery in glass bottles. The milk would be delivered in bottles from the millcman, and the empty bottles would go back with the millcman to be cleaned by the milk company's bottle cleaning machines. The bottles would be used over and over again. Mr. Flynn asked if the Pilot Program would be purchasing the reusable containers. Ms. Nguyen stated that containers would be purchased in bulk from ZeroWaste/the Pilot Program for the trial period for the three restaurants. Mr. Flynn asked if the restaurants would do the cleaning/sanitizing of the containers. Ms. Nguyen said yes, the same as their dine in dishware is cleaned for reuse. Mr. Flynn asked if additionally permitting would be required. Mr. Perry said no,but the Health Department should be notified if a restaurant will be adding returnable/reusable containers to their business plan, in order that at an inspection from the Health Agent can follow up on the service. Mr. Flynn would want a specific plan on the pilot program provided before support is given. The sample from the Town of Plymouth is too general and vague. He would like a strong plan in order to support each restaurant in the program. Mr. Perry stated the board might recommend that any restaurant that participates register with the Health Department. Ms. Nguyen asked as stated in the merging food code regulations, the board issue an advisory that will allow all Town restaurants to use returnable containers. This would allow restaurants not in pilot program to start using reusable and returnable containers that customers provide. Many restaurants may not be ready to be part of the program,but they should not be prohibited from allowing their customers to bring in their own containers for takeout. Mr. Perry stated any permitted food establishment is responsible to public health, the measure for a customer's personal container would be difficult to manage. Dr. Perlmutter stated concerns with the customers providing their own containers. If there was an incident of food poisoning tracking would be impossible. Dr. Geller said this is a wonderful idea. He would be interested in seeing data on how many containers are and are not returned. He said many people do not return their cans, so they end up in the trash. And he was wondering, if the containers can be returned to a different restaurant, than they originally came from. March 23, 2021 Minutes 5 Board of Health