Food Safety

Food safety is achieved through a combination of licensing food establishments, education, and risk assessment. Risk assessment is done yearly by a sanitarian to determine how often a food services establishment is inspected. Those that pose higher risks (involved preparation procedures, cooking-cooling-reheating of potentially hazardous foods) will be inspected more often than those that involve less risk.

New in Food Safety

Food Safety Excellence Award

This annual award program is designed to recognize establishments that demonstrate a strong commitment to food safety. All eligible food establishments are encouraged to apply. Applications are accepted every year, and are due by October 1 of the award year.

View flyer for more information. (PDF)

View application for award program. (PDF)

Food Safety Excellence Award winners photo album

Food Code Establishment & Inspection System

In an effort to ease the transition process to the FDA Food Code, PCCHD has drafted a handout with some of the most important changes that will occur this year. For more information, view the Key Changes to the Illinois Food Code (PDF)

Note: More guidance and outreach will be conducted throughout this transition. Check back here and follow us on Facebook to stay up-to-date with all of the upcoming changes.

Routine Inspections

At the unannounced inspections performed 1 to 3 times per year, a sanitarian conducts a risk-based food inspection.

The inspection report addresses critical and non-critical violations. Critical violations must by fixed within a set period, which is as soon as possible, but within at least 10 days. Imminent health hazards must be eliminated immediately or the food service establishment may be required to close until the problem is corrected.