Missouri Handwashing Sink Regulations

Missouri’s handwashing sink regulations seem like a patchwork of rules and guidelines. As it turns out, several government agencies are responsible for overseeing the different industries in the state and ensuring they are complying with the rules and regulations.

What’s more, handwashing sink regulations tend to be quite similar throughout the state and across industries, making the rules far more consistent across industries than they may seem.

The Missouri Food Code for Food Establishments

Missouri’s Food Code for Food Establishments outlines handwashing sink regulations for any Missouri establishment that serves food to the public. It’s based on the FDA’s 2009 model food code and sets the minimum requirements an establishment must meet to pass an inspection.

While the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is responsible for food safety, it does not license retail establishments. However, local public health agencies can adopt stricter versions of the Code, which may have stronger minimums than state requirements and may require a license.

Regulations for Retail Establishments

The minimum handwashing sink regulations for retail establishments in Missouri are:

• Handwashing sinks must be used strictly for hands
• The sink must provide water heated to at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit
• Water must come through a mixing valve or combination faucet
• Handwashing sinks must have appropriate signage reminding employees to wash their hands before returning to work
• Each sink or group of two sinks must have a way to dry hands, which can be:
  • Paper towels, heated air dryers, a continuous towel system, or an air knife system
  • If disposable paper towels are provided, there must also be a wastebasket

Guidelines for Temporary Food Establishments

In Missouri, a temporary food establishment operates for fewer than 14 consecutive days. Farmer’s markets, festivals, and fairs can have temporary food establishments, and these businesses must provide a way for staff to wash their hands.

At a minimum, temporary establishments must provide one handwashing sink for employees. That sink must have cold and hot water, soap, paper towels, and a waste basket. Missouri does not allow employees at temporary establishments to use hand sanitizer in place of washing hands with soap and water.

What About Mobile Food Trucks?

Mobile food trucks are also subject to the Code as they are considered food establishments. Interestingly, the Code does not outline specific handwashing sink regulations for mobile food trucks, though it does specify things like the type of water connection and size of the wastewater holding tank the truck needs.

Many jurisdictions in Missouri outline more specific regulations for mobile food trucks. For example, Jackson County requires all mobile food trucks to have an approved handwashing sink that provides pressurized cold and hot water.

Regulations for Manufactured Food Processors

The DHSS also regulates manufactured food processors. However, these businesses are governed by the Manufactured Food Program. Any company that processes, packs, manufactures, or holds food for human consumption but does not provide it directly to consumers is subject to the regulations. This could include:

• Bakeries
• Seafood processors
• Flour mills
• Sport growers
• Distilleries
• Coffee roasters
• Ice manufactures

These businesses must have a hand washing sink with hot and cold running water, soap, and “a sanitary” method for drying hands.

Depending on the specifics, manufacturers may be subject to regulations for the Manufactured Food Program and the Retail Food Code. For example, a bakery that mass-produces baked goods to sell in other businesses (like a grocery store) would be a food processor. However, if this bakery also has a retail outlet where the public can purchase their baked goods, it would also have to comply with the regulations in the Retail Food Code.

Regulations for Tattooing, Body Piercing, and Branding Establishments

Missouri body art shops are regulated and licensed by the Department of Commerce and Insurance, specifically the licensing of these establishments.

To get a license, body art shops must have a public handwashing facility as well as a sink that’s used strictly for sterilizing instruments. The shop must also have a handwashing facility that is easily accessible from the main shop area, in addition to a handwashing sink in the bathroom.

Every handwashing sink in the stop must have hot and cold pressurized water, antibacterial soap in a dispenser, and single-use towels to dry hands.

Child Care Facility Regulations

Child care facilities are regulated by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. While not all child care facilities require a license in Missouri, they are all subject to hand washing sink regulations.

The Code of State Regulations (CSR) states that license-exempt child care facilities must:

• Have a handwashing sink with warm running water in the diaper change area
• Provide single-service towels for hand drying
• Have handwashing sinks separate from the food preparation and food service areas

Licensed facilities must:

• Have one handwashing facility with running water for every 20 children
• Provide paper towels and soap that children can reach without adult assistance
• Facilities with infants, toddlers, and children who aren’t toilet trained must have a handwashing facility with running water for every 24 enrolled children.

Whether a facility is licensed or license-exempt, if there are more than 20 children enrolled in the center, there must be a handwashing sink in the food preparation area that has hot and cold running water, paper towels, and hand cleaner.

Comply With Guidelines

Missouri’s handwashing sink regulations span a variety of industries and are overseen by just as many government agencies. While the state sets the minimum standards, counties have the right to create and enforce handwashing sink regulations above and beyond those minimums.

Ozark River Manufacturing’s portable sinks can help your business comply with the minimum standards as well as stricter local guidelines. Our sinks have built-in soap and paper towel dispensers, hot and cold running water, and are NSF-certified to help you comply with the toughest regulations. A portable sink from Ozark River Manufacturing is perfect for:

• Bars
• Beauty, Day Spas, & Wellness
• Commercial
• Construction & Job Sites
• Daycare
• Classrooms
• Events, Concerts, & Weddings
• Farms & Barns
• Restaurants & Food Service
• Garages & Workshops
• Healthcare & Clinics
• Patio & Home Use
• Retail Stores
• Science Labs
• Tattoo Shops

Contact us today to see what Ozark River Manufacturing’s portable sinks can do for your business.