What is the purpose of the Florida Commissary Letter of Agreement form?
The Florida Commissary Letter of Agreement form is a required document for mobile food establishments and self-vending ice unit operators in Florida who are applying for a permit. The form serves as an agreement between the mobile food operation and their primary commissary, detailing the services the commissary will provide to the mobile food establishment. It ensures that the mobile food establishment has a sanitary and approved base of operation for critical needs such as dishwashing, food storage, and wastewater disposal. This agreement is crucial for maintaining food safety standards and is a part of the permit application process overseen by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Food Safety.
Who needs to fill out and submit this form?
Both the owner of the mobile food establishment or self-vending ice unit and the person in charge of the primary commissary must fill out and sign the Florida Commissary Letter of Agreement form. Initially, the mobile food establishment or self-vending ice unit owner provides their specific information and certifies the accuracy of this information. Then, the manager or person in charge of the commissary outlines the services the commissary will offer to the establishment and signs the form to confirm this agreement. It should then be submitted to a local FDACS inspector as part of the mobile food establishment or self-vending ice unit's permit application package.
What activities can be conducted at the commissary according to the form?
The form outlines a variety of activities that a commissary can provide for a mobile food establishment or self-vending ice unit. These include dish or equipment washing, cold storage of food, cooking and/or reheating food, dumping of wastewater, obtaining potable water, washing the outside of the vehicle, and access to restroom facilities, among others. It also includes categories for storage at room temperature and the use of a three-compartment sink. The commissary manager can indicate which of these services are available at their facility by checking yes or no next to each activity and describing any other services offered.
What happens if a mobile food establishment uses more than one commissary?
If a mobile food establishment or self-vending ice unit uses more than one commissary, they must indicate this by checking 'yes' to the question about additional commissaries on the form. They should then attach additional pages, each with the required information and agreement terms, for every additional commissary being used. This ensures that the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has comprehensive information on all commissary locations supporting the mobile food operation, allowing for proper oversight and inspection to guarantee food safety regulations are met.
Are there any legal implications for signing this document?
By signing the Florida Commissary Letter of Agreement form, both the mobile food establishment or self-vending ice unit owner and the commissary manager are entering into a legal agreement. The mobile food establishment owner is certifying the correctness of their provided information and acknowledging that permit approval depends on verification of an approved commissary. Likewise, the commissary manager agrees to provide the listed services and grants FDACS Food Inspectors access to the business for evaluations during normal operational hours. Such agreements are essential for ensuring compliance with food safety standards and regulations, and failure to adhere to the commitments outlined in the form can have legal and regulatory repercussions.