Food Services

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, detention facilities, adult day cares, etc.), civic and fraternal organizations, bars and lounges that don't prepare foods, and theaters that limit their food service to items customarily served at theaters (such as beverages, pop corn, hot dogs and nachos). The codes and standards for food service establishments are found in Chapter 64E-11, Florida Administrative Code.

In Florida, food operations are inspected and permitted by multiple government agencies including:

Restaurants: The Department of Business and Professional Regulation. (DBPR) regulates restaurants, most mobile food vehicles, caterers, and most public food service events. Customer Contact Center (850) 487-1395 or online complaint form.

Grocery Stores: The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) generally regulates supermarkets and grocery stores, convenience stores, coffee shops, bakeries, retail meat markets, seafood markets, juice and smoothie bars, bottled water plants, ice and water vending machines, all food processing plants, food warehouses, food salvage stores, and certain mobile food units selling only prepackaged foods. You can reach their Consumer Assistance and Information Center by calling 1-800-435-7352 or you can file a facility complaint online.

Alcohol Licenses are issued by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Where can I find FL DOH food hygiene inspection reports?

Where can I find more information, including the laws governing food facilities in Florida?