January 30, 2013
Contact: Doug Bolnick, Public Information Officer, 636.949.7408

St. Charles County –Today, the St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment announced its 24 Carrot Gold Food Safety Excellence Award winners for 2012. Presented by the Division of Environmental Health and Protection, the 24 Carrot Gold awards recognize local eateries that demonstrate excellence in food safety, sanitation and successful employee education.

The department chose the following as 24 Carrot Gold Food Safety Excellence Award winners in 2012:

ARBY'S ROAST BEEF – 3786 Elm St., St. Charles

CENTER POINTE HOSPITAL – 4801 Weldon Spring Road, Weldon Spring

EL AGAVE MEXICAN RESTAURANT – 1201 Wentzville Parkway, Wentzville

FLIK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION (located at MasterCard Worldwide offices) – 2200 MasterCard Blvd., O'Fallon

HAPPY WOK – 2942 Highway K, O'Fallon

MR. FUEL/ARO SYSTEMS, INC. – #11 Highway W, Foristell

TEXAS ROADHOUSE – 1600 Mexico Rd., O'Fallon

To be eligible for consideration, recipients of the 24 Carrot Gold Awards cannot have any critical violations during the last 12 months, and no more than six non-critical violations over the same period. In addition, at least 90 percent of the food facility managers at the establishment must possess valid food safety certification. The facility must also have a valid St. Charles County Food Establishment Permit and be in good standing with the department.

To help customers recognize establishments' food service ratings, the department has placed a QR code on 2013 establishment permit stickers. Posted at entry doors, drive-thru windows or other convenient locations, customers can now use smart phones to scan these codes and view the establishment's ratings.  Alternatively, customers may visit www.scchealth.org, and click on "Know the Score" to view these ratings. The division inspects all food service establishments in St. Charles County, except those located within the City of St. Peters (which conducts its own inspections).

Throughout the year, the Division of Environmental Public Health and Protection works with area businesses and organizations to promote healthy conditions in our community. To learn more ways the division helps to ensure public safety, please call 636.949.1800 or visit www.scchealth.org.

###