JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Food safety inspectors relish the opportunity to take a bite out of a big, juicy hamburger while digging into a pile of crispy chili cheese fries - as long as the air show staples are stored and cooked to the right temperature.
More than 50 inspectors from across the National Capital Region have fanned out across the 2010 Joint Service Open House at Andrews. They are responsible for maintaining health, safety and sanitation standards at every single booth, cart and stand dispensing food and drink.
One vendor was temporarily shut down during peak hours May 15 due to code violations. Volunteers at the booth swiftly adjusted, appointing one person to monitor sanitation for the entire day, instead of relying on the entire, busy crew to clean.
"After explaining what was going wrong at the booth, we gave them a chance to adjust their practices, and they did," said Capt. Misa Cadua, 779th Aerospace Medical Squadron officer in charge of Public Health. The booth re-opened after it cleared the next inspection.
"We're not here to be food Nazi's , and we're not here to just shut down booths," said Captain Cadua. "Most of what we're trying to do is educational."
Public Health Airmen inspect all 70 food vending booths and carts three times a day. A morning inspection ensures that vendors have properly prepared for the 60,000 potential customers who stream through the gates every day.
"All vendors have to follow a basic set of guidelines," said Airman First Class Chad Long, of the 779th AMDS. "That includes storing food 6 inches off the ground, maintaining a clean booth, keeping bleach and sanitizer stations fresh, and switching out gloves after each use."
A second inspection, timed at about 11 a.m., is designed to catch some of the peak-hour errors that food handlers might make. "As these workers start getting busy, they might forget to take off jewelry items, or clean up after themselves," said Airman Long.
Many of the volunteers are unfamiliar with food safety standards, which are enforced by Air Force Public Health. Each booth has a shift leader who is briefed on health and safety standards, and booth volunteers sign a sheet that outlines their responsibility to follow public health guidelines.
A final inspection occurs when the show is winding down. Vendors must clean and break down food preparation stations every day, removing most food items to allow the Air Show Network to account for each days sales total.
Public Health inspectors wear blue and white uniforms to distinguish themselves from the throngs of service members providing air show support.
"We're here to help these vendors and keep everyone safe," said 779th AMDS Non-Commissioned Officer In-Charge Master Sgt. Danielle McClarin. "We're also out all day, every day on the line, and these lighter uniforms allow us to be a little more comfortable and a little more approachable."
Standards are the same at every booth on every day. Airmen apply those standards to keep the stomachs of Joint Service Open House 2010 spectators full of nutritious and safe fare.