Food Service Operations

Food Service Operations & Retail Food Establishments

The Perry County Health Department oversees Food Service Operations (FSO) and Retail Food Establishments (RFE) to ensure safety in food handling practices for Perry County citizens. Registered Environmental Health Specialists with our department inspect all operations and establishments in accordance with Ohio Rules and Laws.

Ohio Rules and Laws that govern food safety in Ohio:

• Ohio Administrative Code: Ohio Uniform Food Safety Code (Chapter 3717-1)
• Ohio Revised Code related to FSO and RFE (Chapter 3717)
• Ohio Administrative Code related to FSO and RFE (Chapter 3701-21)

The following are licensable operations in Perry County when selling food:

• Food Service Operations (restaurants, diners, cafes, bars)
• Retail Food Establishments (grocery, drive-throughs, take-out, markets, deli)
• Mobile Food Units (food trucks, carts, trailers, pop-ups, mobile retail meat and eggs)
• Temporary Food Events (festivals, celebrations, parades, events, auctions, fundraisers)
• Vending Machines (hot/cold food machines, coffee, factory/warehouse locations)

License Fee Categories

Each one of the categories has a different license fee. Overall, there are 21 different fees for food licenses. Contact the Perry County Health Department to verify your license fee if obtaining an application from this website.

• Food Risk Levels & License Fees→ (PDF — opens in a new tab)

Licensing for Existing Operations & Establishments

All existing operations and establishments are required to renew their license and pay an annual fee to the Perry County Health Department.

Before you submit: Call the Health Department and confirm your payment amount before submitting the application.

• Food Service Operation & Retail Food Establishment Application→ (PDF — opens in a new tab)

New & Proposed Operations & Establishments

Are you a new operation, new owner, or making major renovations? Food Service Operations and Retail Food Establishments that wish to operate at a new or existing location, or that are undergoing new ownership or major renovations, must apply for Plan Review and Approval by the Perry County Health Department before licensing and operation can start.

Plans that include equipment lists, lighting, water supply layout, kitchen floor plan, food processes, and menus must be submitted to our department, as laid out in the application below.

• Plan Review and Approval Application→ (PDF — opens in a new tab)

Mobile Food Units

Mobile Food Units must receive a plan review and inspection before a license will be approved and sale can begin.

When operations, establishments, or individuals wish to sell their food products away from their permanent establishments, households, or farms, a mobile food license must be purchased, and the mobile unit inspected, before operation and sale can occur. Mobile food licenses can be used anywhere in the state of Ohio for one year, once purchased and approved.

Types of foods that require mobile licensing and sale include, but may not be limited to:

• Prepared hot and cold foods (must be maintained above 135°F or below 41°F)
• Cold or frozen retail meat (must be USDA labeled and approved)
• Prepared hot or cold drinks (coffees, teas, snow cones, Icee, slushie)
• Items prepared, served, sliced, or packaged on site during operation (kettle corn, caramel apples, fudge, pretzels)

• Mobile Food Unit Application→ (PDF — opens in a new tab)
• PCHD Mobile Food Guidance Document→ (PDF — opens in a new tab)
• PCHD Mobile Food Checklist→ (PDF — opens in a new tab)

Temporary Food Events

Temporary Food Events are like Mobile Food Units, except the license is only good for 5 days and one location within Perry County. Temporary Food Permits are for local events, operations, and individuals that wish to sell food for a one-time or limited-time event.

If you are planning to hold a temporary event in which food will be served for sale, you will need to apply for a temporary food permit. For operations or individuals raising money for a fundraiser or charity, or that are a non-profit organization with proof of status, fees are reduced for Temporary Food Events.

• Temporary Food Event Application — submit 7 days prior to the event→ (PDF — opens in a new tab)
• Ohio Department of Health — Food Safety Program→ (opens in a new tab)
• PCHD Temporary Food Guidelines→ (PDF — opens in a new tab)

Vending Machines

Vending machines in Perry County are licensed and inspected by our department in accordance with Ohio Laws and Rules. Vending machines that serve warm, cold, or frozen food that is either ready to eat or requires additional warming or handling are required to have a food license.

Some examples of licensable vending machines include coffee machines, prepackaged cold sandwich machines, and frozen food dispensing machines. Sealed candy, snacks, and soda drinks are not required to be licensed.

To license a vending location, contact our department directly. Fees depend on the Consumer Price Index and change annually.

Cottage Food

Some items, when baked, packaged, labeled, prepared, or sliced at home before traveling and setup, may be exempt. These items fall under the Ohio Department of Agriculture: Cottage Food Rules and are exempt from licensing in certain situations and at approved farmer's markets.

• Ohio Department of Agriculture: Cottage Food Information

Home Bakery

For any person who wants to make and sell potentially hazardous bakery items from their home, like cheesecake, you must license with the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

• Ohio Department of Agriculture: Home Bakery Information

Complaints

For complaints on food establishments, contact the Perry County Health Department. Our department is responsible for licensing and inspecting the food service operations and retail food establishments in Perry County.

• Food Service & Retail Food Complaint Form→ (PDF — opens in a new tab)

Food Recalls

• Food Recalls from Ohio Department of Health
• Food Recalls from Ohio Department of Agriculture

Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Food Safety Program

The ODH Food Safety Program provides technical assistance in all aspects of food safety to local health department staff, the food service industry, and the public — including training programs, food protection certification, recall information, and coordination on foodborne disease outbreaks.

Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) Food Safety Program

The Division of Food Safety helps assure consumers are provided foods, over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements, and cosmetics that are safe, unadulterated, and honestly presented, through regulatory oversight of the wholesale and retail industry and partnerships with federal, state, and local food regulatory agencies.