Set up a handwashing station for a temporary food booth

You must have a hand washing station with warm water near any booths where food is prepared or sampled.

Most booths need a handwashing station

You need a hand wash station at every booth where people prepare or sample food.

If you do not have access to a hard-plumbed sink with hot and cold water, set up an alternative station with:

  • Warm potable water (100 to 108 degrees Fahrenheit) using:
    • an insulated food-grade container that keeps water warm throughout the event
    • a hands-free spigot that stays open and flowing during hand washing
  • Liquid hand soap
  • Single-use paper towels
  • Waste water container (five-gallon capacity)
  • Garbage can
Warm water jug on a table flows into a wastewater container, with a paper towels, soap, and a garbage can nearby.

Make sure you have warm water (100 to 108 degrees Fahrenheit)

  • Fill your container with warm water at an approved food facility beforehand and bring it to the event.
    or
  • Heat water at the event using a cooking range or an electric kettle.

Use a hands-free water spigot

If your existing water container has a push-button spigot, replace it with a lever-type spigot.

You can buy spigots from most manufacturers or stores that sell insulated water containers.

All materials used must be food-grade.

Allowable containers and spigots

Multi-gallon jugs with spigots that look similar to those used at sporting events.

You don't need a handwashing station at your booth if you only sell prepackaged food without any samples. And if you only sell beer and wine, you don't need warm water.

Contact us

Kyle Chan

Senior Environmental Health Inspector
415-252-3837

Aron Wong

Senior Environmental Health Inspector
415-252-3913

ehtempevents@sfdph.org

Last updated October 25, 2023