KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Balancing the concerns of small business owners with the protection of the public, Metropolitan King County Councilmember Carolyn Edmonds worked with Public Health-Seattle & King County in the investigation and reclassification of espresso carts, moving the businesses into a different class with a lower fee structure.

"Because of their use of dairy products, espresso carts had been listed as 'high-hazard' operations by Public Health," said Edmonds, Chair of the King County Board of Health. "That classification placed cart operators within a higher fee category. This has been a major obstacle for operators, who expressed their concern to me, as well as other members of the board. Their concerns led me to check with Public Health."

Public Health periodically reviews foods that don't appear to be linked to food-borne illness. The department has been investigating the classification of espresso stands, as well as those vendors providing treats such as deep fried Twinkies and sugarcoated nuts. Edmonds says the department has moved to reclassify these items from "high-hazard" to "very low risk" foods. The shift in classification means vendors will be placed in a lower fee category for the inspection fees vendors must pay to set up their carts at events throughout King County.

"We must protect the public from food-borne illnesses while recognizing the investment business owners put into the products they sell," said Edmonds. "As part of their ongoing review, Public Health investigated the safety of these items, and determined when prepared properly, there's very low-risk. Their actions benefit those who enjoy these items, and the vendors who provide them."