Gold Star Program
SMCHD annually recognizes businesses that have maintained excellent food quality standards
St. Mary’s County Health Department routinely inspects restaurants and other food service facilities to ensure food safety standards are met. Inspectors closely evaluate critical food safety measures that are most likely to contribute to food-borne illness. Based on the outcomes of routine inspections, SMCHD awards Gold Star recognition to businesses that have maintained excellent food safety standards. A ceremony is held for recipients, and the list of establishments is posted annually in the spring following the monitoring year.
Gold Star Requirements
- No critical violations (based on Maryland regulations)
- No temperature violations cited during a monitoring inspection
- All violations noted by an inspector must be corrected by a 30-day follow-up inspection
- No confirmed unsafe food handling complaints
- At least one food service worker completed a recognized and approved Food Safety Class within the last two years
Posters for Food Service Facilities
- Food Allergies [Required Posting]
- Hand Washing [English & Español]
- Choking Response American Red Cross
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