Hand washing posters not required

CHARLESTON -- Attorney General Darrell McGraw issued a warning that a business using the name "West Virginia Food Service Compliance Center" is sending letters to West Virginia businesses selling "Hand Washing Posters."

The letters are titled "Requirement for all Food Establishments" and have caused businesses to believe they are legally required to purchase and post these posters and that failure to do so will result in civil penalties. West Virginia law does not require businesses to order these posters.

Some businesses have already purchased the posters to comply with a law that does not exist, McGraw said in a press release sent out this week. For more information regarding the laws regarding hand washing, businesses should contact their local health departments.

Anyone wishing to file a complaint about a consumer matter can call the Consumer Protection Hot Line at 800-368-8808 or obtain a complaint form at www.wvago.gov.