Food Hygiene

Food Safety and Sanitation Program

The Department of Health works with food service establishments as defined by Section 381.0072, Florida Statutes  to help ensure their products are not a source of foodborne illness. Generally this includes food service operations located in institutional settings (such as schools, assisted living facilities, hospice, detention facilities, adult day cares, in-patient drug, alcohol and mental health facilities etc.), civic and fraternal organizations, bars and lounges that don't prepare time temperature control (potentially hazardous) non-beverage foods, and theaters that limit their food service to items customarily served at theaters (such as beverages, popcorn, hot dogs and nachos). The codes and standards for food service establishments are found in Chapter 64E-11, Florida Administrative Code.

Employee Health Educational Material

• Florida Department of Health Employee Health Responsibilities

• Florida Department of Health Employee Health Poster

• Norovirus Cleanup Poster

• Did You Know?

• Foodborne Illness Information

Program Regulations as of September 26, 2018

• Rule Changes at a Glance

• Chapter 64E-11, Florida Administrative Code

• Section 381.0072, Florida Statutes

• 2013 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code

Food Manager Certification

Food service establishments as defined in Section 381.0072, Florida Statutes, are required to meet manager certification requirements, unless otherwise exempted. All establishments required to have a certified food manager shall designate, in writing, the food service manager or managers for each location. The establishments include, but are not limited to:

• Public and Private Schools using a contracted food service provider (i.e. food workers not employed by the school)
• Fraternal organizations
• Mobile Food Units and Caterers that are required to maintain a Department of Health Food Sanitation Certificate
• Detention facilities
• Residential Facilities that are required to maintain a Department of Health Food Sanitation Certificate, such as, but not limited to:  

• Assisted Living Facilities
• Hospices
• Adult Day Cares
• Intermediate Care Facility for the Developmentally Disabled (ICFDD)
• Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC)
• Crisis Stabilization Units
• In-patient Drug, Alcohol, and Mental Health Facilities

Accredited Food Protection Manager Certification Exams

Program Applications

• DH 4086:  Florida Department of Health Food Service Facility Application
• DH 8003:  Florida Department of Health Food Service Facility Plan Review Application
• DH 8004:  Florida Department of Health Temporary Food Service Event Application

Questions?

Call 305-623-3500

Email MiamiDadeEH@flhealth.gov

Partner Agencies

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) regulates restaurants, mobile food vehicles, caterers, and public food service events. You can reach their Customer Contact Center by calling 850-487-1395, emailing DHR.Info@myfloridalicense.com or file a complaint about a restaurant or another type of DBPR food facility online at: DBPR Online Complaints.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) generally regulates whole-sale food operations, convenience stores, grocery stores, food processing operations, food storage/warehouse operations and non-alcoholic beverage operations (such as juice or smoothie bars and coffee houses). You can reach FDACS by calling 850-245-5520, emailing FoodSafety@FDACS.gov, or file a complaint about a DACS facility or food product online at: FDACS Online Complaint Form.