Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services takes food safety and incidence of foodborne illness very seriously. If you have a case of foodborne illness, seek medical attention before contacting the health department. Please contact the Wahkiakum County Health Department if you believe you have contract a food borne illness.
Although it’s always possible, the last place you ate may not be the source of your foodborne illness. To help us determine the source quickly, please make a journal of when your symptoms started and your 5 day food history.
To comply with food safety regulations (WAC 246-217) and (RCW 69.06.010), a food handler's card is required for working as a food worker serving the public in Washington State. The cost of a food handler card is $10.
To get your food handler card come to the Wahkiakum County Health Department at the Elochoman Campus, located at 42 Elochoman Valley Rd, Cathlamet, WA 98612, and sit for the exam or take the exam online at the Washington State Food Workers Course page.
Temporary food establishments include food booths at fairs and festivals that operate a fixed location with a fixed menu for twenty one days or less. An annual temporary food establishment is one that operates not more than three days a week at a fixed location with a fixed menu in conjunction with an approved, recurring, organized event such as a farmers market.
According to the state food safety regulations, a temporary food service permit application and fee must be submitted to the Wahkiakum County Health Department at least 14 days prior to the event. Failure to submit the application and fee at least 14 days prior to the event will result in a late fee applied to the permit.