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STATE OF WASHINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY 243 Israel Road SE, Town Center 3 * P.O.Box 47825 Olympia, WA 98504-7825 TDD Relay Service (800) 833-6388 |
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April 6, 2009 Dear Mr. Whitaker: This is in response to your recent letter to Washington State Department of Health Secretary Mary Selecky in which you asked whether there are any laws or rules in Washington State that requires food establishment patrons to wear shoes or other footwear. The answer to your question is no. The food safety regulation of Washington State, Chapter 246-215 Washington Administrative Code, does not mention anything about the required clothing of food establishment customers. However, please note that private businesses such as food establishments may set their own policies regarding patron clothing. Some may require footwear, others may require "shoes and shirts" and some may require men to wear sports jackets, shirts and ties. So, just because the food safety rules do not mention it, doesn't mean a food establishment cannot require patrons to wear a certain level of clothing. If you have any further questions on food safety, please contact me at dave.gifford@doh.wa.gov or by phone at 360-236-3074. Thank you. Sincerely, (signed) David Gifford, R.S.
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