(a) The commissioner has the authority to suspend any permit to operate a food establishment issued pursuant to this chapter if the commissioner has reasonable cause to believe that the permittee is not in compliance with this chapter; provided, that the permittee shall be given the opportunity to correct violations as provided in § 53-8-115.
Terms Used In Tennessee Code 53-8-108
Commissioner: means the commissioner of agriculture, the commissioner's duly authorized representative, and in the event of the commissioner's absence or vacancy in the office of commissioner, the deputy commissioner. See Tennessee Code 53-8-103
Imminent health hazard: means any condition, deficiency, or practice that, if not corrected, is very likely to result in illness, injury, or loss of life to any person. See Tennessee Code 53-8-103
written: includes printing, typewriting, engraving, lithography, and any other mode of representing words and letters. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b) Suspension of permits, other than those for temporary food service establishments, shall be of the following two (2) types:
(1) A Class 1 suspension, which provides an opportunity for a hearing prior to the effective date of the suspension; and(2) A Class 2 suspension, which provides an opportunity for a hearing after the effective date of the suspension and is effective immediately.(c) Notice of either type of suspension may be given by the inspector on the inspector’s regular inspection form or by written notification from the commissioner. When a permit suspension is effective, all food establishment operations shall cease. Class 2 suspensions shall only be issued if an imminent health hazard exists.(d) A written request for a hearing on either type of suspension shall be filed by the permittee within ten (10) days of the receipt of notice. This ten-day period may run concurrently with the ten-day period set forth in § 53-8-115. If a hearing is requested, it shall be commenced within a reasonable time of the request. If no request for a hearing is made within ten (10) days of receipt of notice, the suspension becomes final and is not subject to review.(e) The commissioner may end the suspension at any time if the reasons for the suspension no longer exist.
