Local health codes establish requirements for all of the following subjects EXCEPT: Sale of unfit food items Price controls Personal hygiene Food worker training
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: Price controls
Explanation:
Local health codes are regulatory guidelines set by local or municipal health departments to ensure the safety and well-being of the public, particularly in relation to food safety and public health practices. These codes cover a wide range of areas but do not typically include price controls, which are economic regulations, not public health regulations.
Here’s how each option relates to local health codes:
- Sale of unfit food items:
Local health codes strictly prohibit the sale of contaminated, expired, or otherwise unsafe food. Health inspectors are authorized to inspect establishments and remove or destroy unfit food to prevent foodborne illnesses. This is a fundamental aspect of protecting consumer health. - Personal hygiene:
Personal hygiene of food workers is a critical concern in local health codes. These rules mandate hand washing, clean uniforms, proper grooming, and restrictions on workers with communicable diseases. Poor hygiene can lead to contamination and disease outbreaks. - Food worker training:
Many local jurisdictions require that food workers undergo specific training programs in food safety, such as ServSafe or local equivalents. This ensures that employees understand how to handle, store, and prepare food safely, minimizing health risks. - Price controls (Correct Answer):
Price controls refer to government-imposed limits on the prices that can be charged for goods and services. This is an economic regulation usually managed by government agencies dealing with commerce, trade, or inflation—not by public health departments. Local health codes are concerned with safety, not cost.
In summary, while local health codes are comprehensive in addressing food safety and public health, they do not regulate pricing. That function lies outside their scope and within the realm of economic or commercial policy.
