Food Protection
Chief Food Specialist

Christa Ridenour
812-738-3237, extension 1082
Christa returned to the Harrison County Health Department as an Environmental Health Specialist in February, 2025. As Chief Food Specialist, she will inspect all food establishments, as well as public pools and tattoo/microblading/eyelash extension facilities. If you have questions or concerns about a facility, give Christa a call or drop her an email message.
RENEW FOOD PERMIT HERE
- Print application
- Fill in
- Mail back to our offices with payment
Start Here for Information You Need to Know
- Fee Schedule
- Current Indiana Food Code (Title 410 IAC 7-24)
- Food Safety Certification Classes
- Food Handler Certification Rule + FAQ
- Food Handler Certification Exemptions
- Indiana State Dept. of Health (ISDH) - Food Protection home page
- How to start a food business - Info from the ISDH
- New food business - submission of plans to the Health Department is REQUIRED! Also required for remodeled food businesses and/or new owners
- So you want to open a food service establishment? - brochure
- So you want to open a coffee shop? - brochure
- Can I use my home kitchen for a food business? - brochure
- Requirements for caterers - brochure
- Variance requests and notices
- Law Prohibiting Smoking Went into Effect July 1, 2012
- Non-smoking signs from the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (scroll down to the heading "Tobacco Retailer and Smoke Free Air Signs"; see signage links below that)
- Order non-smoking window clings and posters from Breathe Easy Indiana
Temporary and Mobile Food Establishments
- Temporary food vendor application and 5-page information packet - IMPORTANT!
- NEW and IMPORTANT! - Requirements for Temporary Food Booths (brochure) All Temporary Food Booths Must Follow These Requirements!
- Food safety at temporary events (fairs, festivals, etc.) - brochure
- Food Safety for Volunteers and Non-Profit Groups - brochure
- Mobile unit application
- Temporary vs. Mobile vs. Retail Food Establishments...What's the Difference? brochure NEW!
- Basic Requirements to Operate a Mobile Food Establishment (food truck, pushcart) - brochure
- Hot dog cart / mobile grill requirements - brochure
- Considering a hot dog cart/pushcart/mobile unit? Questions to consider first!
- Equipment Requirements for Mobile Units (sinks, plumbing, ventilation, overhead cover, etc.) NEW and IMPORTANT!
- Commissary Requirements - brochure NEW and IMPORTANT!
- Commissary Agreement
- IMPORTANT! Handwashing/dishwashing information sheet if no running water at temporary event
- IMPORTANT! Regarding floor, walls, roof in temporary food booths
Farmer's Market Vendors
- FAQ for Home Based Vendors (from IN Dept of Health)
- pH of fruits that are acceptable for jam/jelly made by home based vendors (HBVs)
- Indiana State Egg Board - information and applications for egg sellers
- On-Farm Poultry or Rabbit Processing (with information about eggs) - Brochure NEW!
- Slaughter of Livestock and Poultry for Food
- Food Safety at Farmer's Markets - brochure
- For Home Based Vendors (HBVs) - brochure
- May I Produce, Can and Sell my Super-Delicious (fill in the blank) at a Farmer's Market? - brochure NEW!
- Can I sell it at a farmer's market? NEW!
- Guidance for honey producers
- Guidance for maple syrup producers
- Guidance for selling pet food and treats in Indiana
- Licensing application for selling pet food/treats in Indiana
- Pet Food - References
- Labeling Homemade Soaps and Lotions for sale - brochure NEW!
Other Helpful Information
- Safe cooking temperatures
- When it comes to convenience food, remember to cook it safe!
- Food safety & power outages
- Can you re-freeze food that has thawed? - brochure NEW!
- Summer Food Safety - brochure NEW!
- You think it might be food poisoning?
- Recalls / advisories from the ISDH (IN State Dept of Health)
- Recalls from the FDA (Food & Drug Administration)
- Recalls from the USDA (US Department of Agriculture)
- Handwashing poster #1 (yellow)
- Handwashing poster #2 (blue)
- It's not illegal for a store to sell food that's past its expiration date?!
- NEW! Information about service animals, restaurants, and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
Questions?
Call 812-738-3237, Option 3