University Policy Office

1.08—University Food Policy

Effective: 09/01/2005
Senate Proposal: No
Responsible University Officer: Vice President for Administration Vice President for Governmental Relations
Responsible Office: Risk Management

Policy Statement

As licensed University departments, only food prepared by the Memorial Union or Residential Services shall be permitted to be distributed or sold on campus.

Policy Requirements

Events that are not catered by licensed University departments must conform to the health and sanitation requirements as specified by the Western Upper Peninsula District Health Department or provided by vendors properly under contract to the University and possessing the required insurance and license(s), and must be approved by the Vice President for Administration. All exception requests must be submitted to the Vice President for Administration at least 60 days in advance of the event.

Reason for Policy

The Center for Disease Control estimates that seventy-six million illnesses and five thousand deaths occur each year from food-borne illnesses. Over the past several years the issue of food-borne illnesses has gained heightened awareness nationally, and has become one of the top five concerns in the insurance industry. To strengthen our practice of promoting the safe handling, preparation and distribution of food, and after reviewing state and local laws and bench marking with other institutions, Michigan Tech has developed a food policy that will help reduce excess liability and will guide students, faculty and staff in their approach to food at University events.

Exclusions

The following are exceptions to the policy and/or its requirements:

  1. Off-campus locations that provide licensed food service operations.
  2. Food and beverages purchased and/or prepared by individuals for personal consumption.
  3. Specific food items that are exempted by the Michigan Food Law of 2012.

Contacts

Office/Unit Name Telephone Number
Office of Risk Management 7-2267

Definitions

Licensed University Departments - Departments that are licensed by the State of Michigan for food service operations.

Responsibilities

Individual or Group Coordinating the Event - Ensuring the policy requirements are met.

Adoption Date

07/19/2005 Approved by the Executive Council

Revisions

3/1/2018 Removed " Vice President for Governmental Relations" from the Responsible University Officer. Removed "annually" from "...and must be approved annually by the Vice President for Administration." Inserted "All exception requests must be submitted to the Vice President for Administration at least 60 days in advance of the event." Changed "2000" to "2012." Removed "4. The Parade of Nations, Winter Carnival and Spring Fling do not require annual approval by the Vice President for Administration as they are long standing University traditions. However, they are required to conform to the Western Upper Peninsula District Health Department health and sanitation requirements."
04/10/2017 Transfer of policy page from HTML to CMS. General Policy numbers renamed from "2.1000" to "1.00 General University". Specifically from "2.1008—University Food Policy" to "1.08—University Food Policy".
05/01/2012 To reflect current University titles and practice, MTU is now Michigan Tech and the email address for questions is now hbwebmaster.