WAC 16-165-160. Food establishments — Basis for enforcement action

(1) The department may issue a notice of correction for: (a) Food establishments that score less than ninety points on an inspection; or (b) Critical violations found during an inspection of a food establishment. (2) The department may review and consider initiating enforcement action, such as license suspension, civil penalties, and/or other penalties provided in chapters 16.49 , 69.07, 69.10, or 15.130 RCW when: (a) Food establishments score less than ninety points on two separate inspections within a consecutive three-year period; or (b) Food establishments fail to correct critical violations during an inspection. (3) Nothing herein shall prevent the department from: (a) Choosing not to pursue a case administratively. (b) Issuing a notice of correction in lieu of pursuing administrative action. (c) Negotiating settlement(s) of cases on such terms and for such reasons as it deems appropriate.