Retail Food Program
The department inspects a variety of retail food establishments (restaurants, food stores, food vehicles and vending machines) on a routine basis. Food handler training courses are offered (and mandatory to all food establishments) to provide education on food safety techniques that minimize potential food-borne disease outbreaks. Inspectors participate with the New Jersey Department of Health on food recalls, smoking in restaurant programs and other activities as they arise.
Public bathing
Seasonal and year-round facilities such as pools and hot tubs are routinely inspected. Weekly lab analyses on all public bathing places are required and reviewed for bacteria and chemical levels to assure safety of bathing waters.
Child Care Centers
Child care centers are inspected annually for compliance with State standards. All centers are inspected for lead based paint.
Individual Water Supplies
Several hundred homeowners in Edison rely on private wells as their sole water supply. The department offers bacteriological testing for homeowners at no cost and chemical testing on a limited basis.
On Site Sewage Disposal
While most of the municipality is on public sewers, in certain areas on-site sewage disposal (septic) systems are installed under the direction of the department.
Occupational Health
Inspectors respond to a variety of occupational health complaints in cooperation with OSHA and the NJ Department of Health. Complaints range from smoking, inadequate heat; ventilation, improper chemical use and sanitation. Chronic and acute occupational disease investigations are conducted and forwarded to the NJ Department of Health
Rabies Program
All animal bites are reported to the department and inspectors evaluate inoculation records and confer with veterinarians to prevent potential rabies exposures and assure proper treatment of those potentially exposed. Where indicated, animal quarantines are required and enforced.