County inspects food vendors MILLTOWN - In the wake of Sunday's nor'easter, Middlesex County Health Department (MCHD) officials visited retail food outlets in the borough to ensure that food was kept at proper temperatures because of the townwide power loss. An inspection division strike team from the Health Department performed inspections at 63 establishments in Milltown that sell food. All meat and dairy products that were determined to be at improper temperatures for more than four hours were voluntarily destroyed, according to David Papi, director and health officer of the department. Power in the town was shut off for about 15 hours between Sunday night and Monday around noon, according to Milltown Councilman Bill Deinzer. The reason for the shutdown was the imminent threat of damage to the electrical substation because of flooding. The business owners cooperated fully with the inspections. Some had used dry ice and refrigerated trucks to keep foods at proper temperatures, Papi stated. Papi advised any food establishment affected by the flood to contact their local Health Department, and for anyone with concerns about flood water or mold to do the same, or call the MCHD at (732) 745-3100. - Jessica Smith