The Department of Health regulates the institutional food operations in schools, group care facilities like Assisted Living Facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, jails, fraternal organizations, and lounges which do not serve food.

These establishments are routinely inspected by the health department four times per year with more frequent follow-up visits as necessary for correction of any violations found during regular visits. The program addresses potential microbial, chemical and physical hazards.

The easiest way to ensure safe food is to properly store, cook, cool, and serve food by ensuring that the temperatures listed in the Food Code are met.

Temporary events must be permitted through the Environmental Health Section

Also, vending machines containing potentially hazardous food must be properly permitted through Environmental Health.

Inspections ensure that food workers are properly trained and are operating following the appropriate Florida Rules and Statutes.

A key to safe food is the proper washing of cooking and serving utensils, and all dishes. The minimum standard is a properly used three compartment sink.

Or a commercial dish machine with a sanitizing cycle.

Facilities must be kept clean and all food contact surfaces must be properly cleaned and sanitized.

While routine regulation and inspection of restaurants and grocery/ convenience stores is conducted by the Department of Business Regulation (1-800-226-7359) and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (1-800-435-7352), Department of Health Environmental Specialists are responsible for investigation and control of food-borne illness outbreaks associated with all food establishments. Reports are investigated to locate and eliminate the source food, or foods, and determine the cause of contamination to prevent further illness incidents.
 

For Food Hygiene Restaurant Inspections please visit: https://www.myfloridalicense.com