The Sangamon County Department of Public Health (SCDPH) announced the recipients of the 2022 "Gold Award" for food safety. This marks the 25th year of the award, which recognizes Sangamon County food service establishments that demonstrate superior commitment to food safety.
To be eligible for the Gold Award, each establishment must meet several criteria based on its 2022 inspection history. The criteria have been updated to align with the 2017 FDA Food Code recently adopted by Illinois State. Gold Awards are given to Class I and Class II facilities that meet the following criteria:
Employ a certified food protection manager
Have no more than two Priority or Priority Foundation violations for Class I facilities or one for Class II facilities
Have no more than three Core violations within a Class I or Class II facility
Have the same ownership throughout the year
Exhibit exemplary operational behaviors observed during at least one inspection
Do not have any violations requiring a return visit
This year's Gold Award recipients are 114 establishments that have gone above and beyond to prioritize food safety. The list includes a diverse range of local favorites, including Abe's Hideout, Bella Trattoria Lounge, Chick-fil-A, Culver's, Holy Smokes BBQ, Loukinens on 4th, The Foundry Pizza Kitchen, China Wok, and Gallina's Family Restaurant, among others.
Winners of the Gold Award for the first time are eligible for a 5% rebate on their annual food permit fee. Those who have received the award two years in a row can receive a 10% rebate, while establishments that have received the award three or more times in a row are eligible for a 20% rebate on their annual food permit fee.
“I want to recognize the diligent work of the Sangamon County Department of Public Health and congratulate all of the food service establishments who received the 2022 Gold Award for their commitment to food safety. It's great to see so many businesses prioritizing the health and safety of their customers,” said James Schackmann, County Board Member and Chairman of the Public Health Committee. “Sangamon County is fortunate to have many excellent dining options, and I encourage residents to continue to support these establishments as we all work towards a healthier community."