In a move to spice up the local food scene while keeping public health in check, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH) has rolled out updates to the Hawaiʻi Food Safety Code. Effective as of August 24, these revisions are grabbing attention for their support of homemade food entrepreneurs and their nods to modern dining practices – including dining with pet dogs.
The DOH has broadened the definition of Homemade Food to include pickled, fermented, or acidified plant food products. These products must meet specific scientific standards, with a pH at or below 4.2 or a Water Activity level at or below 0.88. Additionally, producers can now sell non-temperature-controlled for Safety homemade foods to third parties or participate in wholesale sales, according to the DOH.
On the regulatory side, the updates sync up with the latest from the FDA Model Food Code, with one key inclusion being sesame's new status as a major food allergen. As detailed by the DOH, "Permitted Food Establishments must inform customers in writing (e.g., signage, table tents, note on menu boards, handouts) if any of the nine major food allergens are used within the food establishment." Lest we forget, the ninth happens to be sesame since January 1, 2023, so if you're allergic, keep an eye out.
Got a hankering for dining al fresco with your furry best friend? The revamped regulations have given the green light to bringing pet dogs into outdoor dining spaces. A few rules will need to be followed, but no longer must man’s (and woman's) best friend wait at home while you nibble on pupus. And for those living in long-term care facilities, the updated rules slightly loosen the previous strict no-no on raw or undercooked foods. Residents can now request such dishes, so long as they're informed and acknowledge the foodborne illness risks, which were reported by the DOH.
The DOH Food Safety Branch continues to educate food workers and inspect food establishments to prevent foodborne illnesses. In addition to periodic health checks, the branch investigates potential food-related incidents. The recent updates to dining regulations aim to support safe food practices in the state.
