Chapter 18
How to Make the Health Inspector Fall in Love With You
Health inspectors are human. Contrary to the stereotypes, very few are actually corrupt. They are no different from the rest of us. They want their job to be as easy as possible and they don’t want to get yelled at by their supervisor. When Friday afternoon rolls around, they want to get their check and leave work ten minutes early, maybe stop at the gas station on the way home, fill up the tank and grab a six pack.
Your job is to make their job as easy as possible. That means getting a copy of the health code well before you ever have to deal with an inspector, reading it cover to cover, and understanding it. Then you’ll know what’s expected of you, and you can prepare properly for your inspection.
If you know and follow the rules, then you stand a pretty good chance of passing on the first try. You will also gain the respect of the inspector. Why? Because you will look like a rocket scientist compared to all the other idiots he has to deal with every day.
Believe me. Most people go into an inspection with the condescending attitude that it’s the inspector’s job to pass them.
The inspector’s job is to prevent dummies who won’t read the health code from poisoning someone. You will be the high point of his day because you were proactive and had a responsible attitude.
And that will make things go well for you with the health department.
Steve,
I Cant get any govt agency to answer the phone and their websites tell you ten thousand pages of everything you dont need to know. I think I need a $610 county health permit. Does that sound right. Seems a little high for a cart. Herb Wiedoff
You can’t get a government agency to answer the phone? How shocking! 😉
That permit sounds steep but the only way to know for sure is to go down to the county clerk and talk face to face. Be nice, it helps!
Health Inspectors actually human – are you really sure Steve? I thought they were all ET..
Well, most of them are human…
But you need to treat all of them like they are, even if you get one who’s not.
I met and talked to our Health Inspector today. When I told him why I was there and that I wanted a copy of the code so that I would know what he expected he was very pleasant and we were even kidding around as I had been told that he was a hard man to find he said “I don’t know why I wear a great big target on my back!” He cleared up a few questions I already had, and he told me how to get around the commissary laws here, told me exactly what I needed to do. He gave me his email ad phone number and told me that was the best way to reach him with any other questions, but if we needed to set up a meeting he would be glad to do it! Not at all an unpleasant visit and he asked about my dogs I plan on selling since mine are unique to this area!
Sounds like you are getting off on the right foot.
Nice work.
Anybody have any ifo on a commissary in Dallas co. And have any idea of the cost of permits.
Hi Dave,
Allow me to share my personal commissary strategy. I think it will help you.
A commissary is nothing more than a health department approved kitchen. It could be a restaurant, bar, church, VFW Hall, donut shop, etc. All you need is a letter to show the inspector that says the facility agrees to let you use their kitchen.
Here’s how to get that letter:
If you approach a local restaurant and just ask to use their kitchen, what’s in it for them? Not much. Even if you offer to pay them rent, the tiny additional income doesn’t make it worth it.
The whole key is to remember everyone’s favorite radio station, wii fm (what’s in it for me?)
What does every business want? MORE CUSTOMERS!!!
What do they have to do to get more customers?
They have to advertise and that’s expensive!
You just have to think about it a little differently – from their perspective. What’s in it for them?
Don’t even talk about rent, talk about how you happen to have advertising space available on your cart and promotional materials…
On the fliers you distribute, on the rear window of your tow vehicle, and on the menus that your customers will post on bulletin boards in their break rooms at work – all over town!
Tell them that thousands of people each month will see it and ask them how much that kind of exposure would cost them in traditional advertising? Thousands.
And you’ll do all this for them FOR FREE in exchange for a commissary agreement.
That’s the winning pitch.
My contact 214 883 2712
Hi Steve, It’s been a few months I know, but all through the cart build I was conscious of complying with Health and Safety regulation. You’re so right, you need to understand what your local health department require and make sure you adjust accordingly. I was inspected yesterday and have been given a 5 star rating. Thanks to you Steve I always had this in the back of my mind. I can now insert website banners on my website and hopefully give my potential customers peace of mind that I run a clean and safe hot dog cart. Cheers Steve.
Awesome John. Congrats!
My counties health dept. charges 210.00 for the license, (TN). And as long as there are 3 sinks on the cart there is no commissary needed. The health inspector has been an ally right from the start answering all questions that I had, and he emailed a packet of what I needed to pass cart inspection, anytime I’m in need of answers I email him and he calls in a short time. There are helpful ones! 🙂
Yes, they are not the devil, lol. If you treat them like you would want to be treated and let them help you instead of challenging everything they say, you will get along just fine.
In our county, encompassing a huge area around Tucson, there is 1, yes 1, person who handles inspections and related questions. While she was very nice and helpful during our cart renovation, she was *incredibly* hard to reach. Of course, I didn’t know about this great group. My husband stripped out the plumbing and gas jets. Installed an instant hot water heater and finally an additional 8 gallon grey water tank. It was hard work with very little assistance from the HD. Good news, we passed the inspection with flying colors.
If you’re in that boat, wondering if you’ll get answers from the inspector, or when get a surprise that you need an additional thing, remember this: that inspector or clerk holds your financial success in their hands! Be extra patient and nice! Hang up the phone and jump up and down, then have your favorite adult beverage.
Right on.
Steve- I spoke with the health inspector from my state and he was super. I’m out of my home state on an assignment for my company but once I’m done (august 7th) I’m heading home to build my cart! He said he was eager to work with me and get me licensed. He even gave me the number of a food management course instructor. I spoke with him and he is sending me information for taking the exam when I get back so everybody has been really helpful so far. He did say a couple things that made me scratch my head: 1- he said it’s probably better if I buy my first cart instead of build it because I won’t have to pay for a “review” and 2. He said hot dogs are considered “hazardous”, not impossible to license, just that they were “hazardous.” Any thoughts on that? I AM definitely building my cart though, regardless.
Every inspector is different and two inspectors from the same department may interpret the same code differently. That part can me frustrating, but it sounds like you got a good one. You’ll save thousands by building your cart, the review would contribute pennies to that savings. 99% of health departments consider hot dogs “potentially non-hazardous”. You’ll be fine.