Food Hygiene Program

The Food Hygiene Program is designed to promote, protect and improve the health of the public by monitoring and regulating food handling and sanitary conditions of food service in institutional settings. 

• After school meal program
• Adult day care
• Assisted living facilities
• Bars and lounges
• Civic & fraternal organizations
• Crisis stabilization unit
• Detention facility
• Domestic violence shelter
• Hospice
• Intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled
• Movie theater
• Prescribed pediatric extended care
• Recreation camps
• Residential treatment facility (AHCA)
• Schools
• Transitional living facility

Inspections are conducted within Escambia County one to four times a permit cycle depending on the type of establishment. These facilities are regulated under Florida Statute, 381.0101 and Florida Administrative Code 64E-11 and the 2013 FDA Food Code by reference. 

Inspections Consist of:  

• Ensuring that food is stored, handled and served in a sanitary manner to prevent cross contamination and the spread of food-borne illness.
• Utensils and serving equipment are properly cleaned and sanitized.
• Work areas and equipment are kept clean, safe and sanitized.
• Sanitary facilities are operational, clean and equipped with hand-washing facilities.
  

The Client will Receive a Permit to Conduct Business after: 

1. Food Establishment Guide(126.96kb; pdf)
2. Application for a Sanitation Certificate  (1.57mb; pdf)
3. Payment of required Permit Fees  are received
4. Facility Plans are submitted and approved (if opening business)
5. Construction site evaluation conducted and approved (if opening business)
6. Proof of “required training” through the Department of Health (if applies)
7. Final Inspection is conducted and given a rating of “Satisfactory”
   
   

A Food Safety Manager Certificate is required for certain facilities. Please review the Food Manager Certification Requirements  for more information.

As of July 1, 2010, due to changes in the Florida Legislature, the Department of Health no longer regulates Food Safety in Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Childcare Centers. Please contact ACHA in regards to Hospitals and Nursing Homes and DCF for Childcare.

Additional Resources 

CDC: A-Z Index for Foodborne Illness

Preventing Food Contamination (471.32 kb, pdf)

State Food and Safety Website

Fish Consumption Advisory

Bill Pay 

Environmental Health bills and fees can be paid in person or by mail at the address below or you can visit our bill pay site at MyFloridaEHPermit.com.

Location & Contact Information 

Downtown Service Center, 1300 West Gregory Street

The Food Hygiene office is open Monday - Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. Call 850-595-6700 for more information.