June 24, 1997

This is in response to your letter dated June 6, 1997, in which you address the legal basis of food vendors requiring customers to wear shoes "by order of the health department."

Staff researched the Tennessee Department of Health's Hotel, Food Service Establishment and Public Swimming Pool Act of 1985, and accompanying Regulations, and found no reference to customers being required to wear shoes while in food establishments. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture regulates reail food stores in Tennessee and an inquiry to tha department also revealed no such requirement of food store customers.

I hope this information will be helpful. Should you have further questions, please contact Rick Johnson, Division of General Environmental Health at (615) 741-7206. Thank you for your concern for public health.

Sincerely,

NM/C:B4017170

cc:	Commissioner Nancy Menke Rick Johnson