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246 N. HIGH STREET Post Office Box 118 Columbus, Ohio 43266-0118 Telephone: (614) 466-3543 |
GEORGE V. VOINOVICH Governor
PETER SOMANI, M.D., Ph.D. |
July 8, 1997
Dear Mr. Shakely:
Your letter regarding the issue of footwear requirements for patrons of food establishments has been forwarded to me for my response. There is no state regulation that requires a patron or customer to wear footwear in a Food Service Operation (restaurant) in the State of Ohio. There may be some local ordinances that would require footwear but it would probably be a requirement in all business and not just food operations. It is my experience that most restaurants post signs that say footwear is a health code requirement to enforce their policy and remain blameless if they have a complaint from someone that wants to be barefoot. The reason that most establishments require footwear is for insurance purposes to prevent injuries associated with barefoot patrons stepping on glass etc.
You may want to contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture to see if they have any requirements on grocery stores etc. They may be reached at the following address:
Ohio Department of AgricultureI hope that this is helpful in your research and that I answered your question. Please feel free to call or write if we may be of assitance in the future.
Division of Food, Dairies and Drugs
8995 East Main Street
Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068
Sincerely,
Douglas E. Pollitt R.S.
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Steve Binns Administrator BLS |
An Equal Opportunity Employer/ProviderHEA 6413 (Rev. 5/93)