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Consumer Food Safety

RECALL INFORMATION
Recall notices are either issued by the FDA or the USDA. For current FDA recalls, click here. For current USDA recalls, click here. 

HOME FOOD SAFETY
By following a few simple food safety rules you can protect yourself and others when handling and preparing food. Follow this link for food safety information www.fightbac.org

RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS
Restaurants and food establishments that sell serve or dispense food to the general public are inspected by the Joplin Health Department. Inspection frequency is based on risk determined by number of patrons served and food handling practices. The Health Department has about 625 routine inspections a year. This number does not reflect complaints, reinspections and pre-openings. Complaints can be made electronically or by calling the Joplin Health Department at 417-623-6122. Click here for an electronic complaint form. 

NATURAL DISASTERS AND POWER OUTAGES
During an event where food may become contaminated or unsafe due to fire, flood or an extended power outage follow the guidance in the attached links to ensure safe food. http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/facts.asp

Consumer Food Establishments

FOOD ORDINANCE The City of Joplin Health Department inspects all food establishments which sells, serves or dispenses food to the public in the City Limits of Joplin. A copy of the Joplin Food Service Sanitation Ordinance can be obtained here. This ordinance is based on the 1999 FDA food code. Inspection frequency is determined by the complexity of menu, food safety training and the number of patrons served. NEW, REMODEL OR CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP Review the new establishment packet and contact the Joplin Health Department at 417-623-6122 before construction begins. Please return the food establishment permit application to the fax number provided on the form.

LIQUOR CONTROL PROCESS
For establishment or events planning to serve alcohol contact the Joplin Police Department at 417-624-0820 ext 432

TEMPORARY FOOD EVENTS
Temporary food establishments are allowed if they are in conjunction with a single event or celebration. Contact the Joplin Health Department at least 7 days before the event and preferably sooner to notify us of your plans. Events which dispense food to the general public fall under the jurisdiction of the Health Department.

FOOD SAFETY TRAINING
To register for ServSafe ® food safety training classes call 417-623-6122. Seating is limited so pre registration must occur. The course offered by the Joplin Health Department is the short course ServSafe Starters Employee. The cost is $5.50 per student and takes about 2.5 hours to complete. Students keep the manual and will receive a certificate of completion. We are always looking for host locations. If you are interested, please contact the health department. 

To view upcoming ServSafe classes, click here

RECALL INFORMATION
Recall notices are either issued by the FDA or the USDA. For current FDA recalls, click here. For current USDA recalls, click here. The Joplin Health Department notifies and works with establishments that may have product affected by a recall to help ensure food safety.

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Recreational Water Safety

Well Testing

TEST KITS Test kits are available free of charge for private well water testing. Test kits will measure coliform only the kits will not give a complete water analysis. There is a $10.00 charge billed from the State of Missouri. Shipping is free if mailed from the Joplin Health Department courier service. For more information, call the health department at 417-623-6122 or visit the State of Missouri web page. Stream Testing Recreational streams that flow through Joplin City limits are tested by Jasper County and Newton County for E. coli bacteria levels. To access the E. coli testing results, choose the appropriate county. For Jasper County creeks including Turkey Creek in Joplin, click here. For Newton County creeks including Shoal Creek in Joplin, click here.    EPA Superfund Activities - Lead and Zinc For information about EPA Superfund activities relative to area mining activities for lead and Zinc, visit the links below: County Lead Ordinance City information  Ordinance Map EPA Superfund site activities on Region 7

Mosquito, Ticks and Vector Control

RODENT CONTROL
The Joplin Health Department will investigate complaints of infestations of rodents such as rats or mice. If you have a complaint on a rodent infestation, contact the Joplin Health Department at 417-623-6122 or electronically.

MOSQUITO CONTROL PROGRAM
The City of Joplin Health Department takes a proactive approach to mosquito prevention and eradication. There are 3 main parts to the program; Larvaciding, Complaint Investigation, and Fogging. The Health Department maintains a list of known mosquito breeding areas throughout the city limits and takes a proactive approach to maintain these areas. The Joplin Health Department will begin larvaciding areas that are on public property and public right a ways in the spring as “mosquito season begins”. The use of GPS and GIS technology is used to manage and track the effectiveness of the program.
More Information about Joplin's Mosquito Control Program

Medical Services

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE INVESTIGATIONS / EPIDEMIOLOGY
The City of Joplin Health Department division of epidemiology / communicable disease investigation investigates all reportable diseases and conditions that are reported from health care providers. The purpose of communicable disease investigations is to stop the spread of disease by locating the source of the disease and by tracking down contacts that may have been exposed. This division also provides education on disease issues to groups to help prevent the transmission and spread of communicable diseases. A list of reportable diseases and conditions in Missouri can be found by clicking here.
Data is also collected, managed and analyzed by this division. Data is used to identify disease trends and support disease investigations.

HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS

Reportable diseases are required by law to be reported to the home health department of the patient. The preferred method of reporting to the Joplin Health Department is by fax to 417-624-6453 on State form MO-580- 0799 CD-1 http://www.dhss.mo.gov/CDManual/CDappends.pdf . When reporting high priority conditions a phone call to confirm that the fax has been received is appreciated.
The State of Missouri Communicable Disease reference manual is available for case definitions and other condition specific information. 

TUBERCULOSIS (TB)
The City of Joplin offers TB testing on a walk in basis for Joplin residents Mondays from 12:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. for $13.00. If tested on Monday the patient must return on Wednesday to have the test results interpreted. Occasionally testing must be canceled due to staff availability please call 417-623-6122 to ensure testing is being offered before you arrive. Please note that testing as part of an outbreak investigation is free. For more information on TB please call the Joplin Health Department or follow this link http://www.cdc.gov/tb/.

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