State issues warning of health inspector impersonations
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Local health departments have been notified that various establishments across the state have been contacted by people impersonating state health inspectors.
"I want to remind Ohio's restaurants and food service establishments not to give out any personal, private or secure information to anyone without first confirming the person's identity," ODH Director Ted Wymyslo, M.D., said. "Employees from the ODH food safety program will never come into an establish alone to conduct an inspection. They will always be with local inspectors."
Over the past few weeks, the ODH Food Safety Program has received numerous phone calls from local health departments and restaurants across the state indicate that people claiming to be state health inspectors are contacting food service operators throughout Ohio. In some instances, these individuals request to schedule an inspection of the food service operation. In other instances, individuals have entered establishments trying to collect business and personal information.
"ODH food safety staff will never ask food service operators for credit card, personal or financial information," Dr. Wymyslo said.
In Ohio, local health departments license and inspect food service establishments. Local inspectors and food service inspectors typically will not schedule any inspections in advance or call to request an inspection. Food service operators with questions about the inspection process should contact their local health department.
As with the ODH inspectors, each Highland County Health Department inspector has a photo ID with the department's information on it. If at any time an individual/operator is unsure of the person stating to be their health inspector, please contact the Health Department office to verify that he or she is an employee of the agency and is authorized to do food inspections.
Please note depending on the type of business, other agencies (i.e. Ohio Department of Agriculture, Federal Department of Agriculture, and Department of Commerce) may be doing spot inspections for various reasons (i.e. over-the-counter drug checks, inspections of approved sources, labeling requirements, liquor sales, etc.). Again, if you have any questions, make sure you check their ID and if needed, contact the agency they are claiming to represent for verification.
If you have any questions, contact the Highland County Health Department at (937) 393-1941.[[In-content Ad]]
"I want to remind Ohio's restaurants and food service establishments not to give out any personal, private or secure information to anyone without first confirming the person's identity," ODH Director Ted Wymyslo, M.D., said. "Employees from the ODH food safety program will never come into an establish alone to conduct an inspection. They will always be with local inspectors."
Over the past few weeks, the ODH Food Safety Program has received numerous phone calls from local health departments and restaurants across the state indicate that people claiming to be state health inspectors are contacting food service operators throughout Ohio. In some instances, these individuals request to schedule an inspection of the food service operation. In other instances, individuals have entered establishments trying to collect business and personal information.
"ODH food safety staff will never ask food service operators for credit card, personal or financial information," Dr. Wymyslo said.
In Ohio, local health departments license and inspect food service establishments. Local inspectors and food service inspectors typically will not schedule any inspections in advance or call to request an inspection. Food service operators with questions about the inspection process should contact their local health department.
As with the ODH inspectors, each Highland County Health Department inspector has a photo ID with the department's information on it. If at any time an individual/operator is unsure of the person stating to be their health inspector, please contact the Health Department office to verify that he or she is an employee of the agency and is authorized to do food inspections.
Please note depending on the type of business, other agencies (i.e. Ohio Department of Agriculture, Federal Department of Agriculture, and Department of Commerce) may be doing spot inspections for various reasons (i.e. over-the-counter drug checks, inspections of approved sources, labeling requirements, liquor sales, etc.). Again, if you have any questions, make sure you check their ID and if needed, contact the agency they are claiming to represent for verification.
If you have any questions, contact the Highland County Health Department at (937) 393-1941.[[In-content Ad]]