Photo: ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP / Getty Images
In response to a recent change in Nebraska food code, the Douglas County Health Department releases official guidance for restaurants and other food establishments that choose to allow pet dogs in outdoor dining areas.
In April, the State of Nebraska adopted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 2022 Food Code Rule 6-501.115(D), which permits pet dogs in designated outdoor areas of food establishments, provided specific health and safety standards are met.
Allowing pet dogs on restaurant patios is entirely optional and left to the discretion of each establishment.
Businesses that opt to do so must comply with the following requirements:
a. The outdoor dining area must have a separate exterior entrance to prevent entering the food establishment’s interior.
b. Doors equipped with self-closing devices must be provided at all entrances to the outdoor patio/deck from the interior of the food establishment and must remain closed.
c. No food may be prepared, including mixing drinks and serving ice, in the outdoor patio/deck area, except that a beverage glass may be filled from a pitcher or other container that has been filled or otherwise prepared inside the food establishment.
d. Food establishment employees shall not touch, pet, or otherwise handle any dog.
e. Dogs shall not be allowed to have any contact with any of the food establishment’s reusable food service dishes or utensils.
f. The tools and supplies used to clean outdoor dining areas must be separate from any tool or supply used in the cleaning of any food storage, food handling, or food preparation area.
g. After food establishment employees perform any cleaning and maintenance of these areas, they are required to properly wash their hands at a designated hand washing sink.
Restaurants are also reminded that service animals must be allowed in outdoor and indoor dining areas, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Food establishments considering the pet dog option are encouraged can contact DCHD’s Food Safety & Compliance program at (402) 444-7488 for more information and assistance with compliance.
(Picture from Getty Images)