Owen County: Food Services

Tori Floyd

tori.floyd@owencounty.in.gov

Have a complaint on a local establishment? Please use the complaint form under the Registrar tab!

In the state of Indiana, if you sell food to an end consumer you are either identified as a Retail Food Establishment, Mobile Unit/Temporary Event, or Homebased Vendor. See below for the regulations and additional information for each category.

** The Owen County Health Department must be notified prior to the beginning and operation a new construction, a change of ownership, or a remodel of all retail, mobile, and temporary food establishments. **

Retail Food Establishments (RFE):
- New Establishments Requirements:
  - Plan review. (Containing: building and equipment plans, proposed menu, employee illness policy, vomit/diarrhea clean-up procedure)
  - Food Manager/Handler Certificate (require by state for any RFE serving potentially hazardous foods)
  - Pre-operational Inspection. (MUST be completed prior to opening)
  - RFE permit application and fee. Permanent Food Establishment Registration
- Existing Establishments Requirements:
  - RFE permit application and fee. Permanent Food Establishment Registration
  - Updated Food Manager/Handler Certificate

** Food cannot be sold for consumption until establishment is approved to operate and licensed. Failure to complete the steps above may result in temporary closure or penalty fee. **

Temporary Events/Mobile Units:
- Single Event: $30.00 = Temporary Food Registration
- Annual Permit: $100 (select 1 to 5 employees) = Permanent Food Establishment Registration
- Documents Needed for Single and Annual Permits:
  - Commissary Agreement
  - Employee Illness Policy
  - Vomit and Diarrhea Clean-up Procedure
  - Food Manager/Handler Certificate (require by state for any RFE serving potentially hazardous foods)
  - All new mobile units must submit a plan review prior to applying for the permit (Containing: floor plan, proposed menu)

** Registration fees and applications are due at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the event, late fees will be assessed. Applications and fees not received within three days prior to the beginning of the event may be denied a license for operation**

Home Based Vendors (HBV):
- Home based vending allows individuals to make certain products in their home kitchen to sell. Also known as cottage foods. To see who qualifies as a HBV, which foods HBVs are allowed to sell, and other requirements HBVs must follow check out additional resources below in the 'Helpful Links' section.
- While there are no fees associated with being a HBV, the Owen County Health Department asks that all HBVs selling in our county are registered and have a Certified Food Managers Certificate.
  - Home Based Vendor Registration Form
  - Home Based Vendor Registration Form (Online Form)

Wholesale Manufactured Foods Safety Programs:
- This licensing is provided by the Indiana State Department of Health

Food Manager/Handler Certificate Information

* All Retail Food Establishments, Mobile Units, and Temporary events selling potentially hazardous food items must have at least one staff member with a Food Manager Certificate. Additional Food Handlers Certificates are at the discretion of the establishment. All Home-Based Vendors must obtain a Food Manager Certificate. If you are unsure if your business contains potentially hazardous food items, give us a call! *

For additional information on these requirements, check out the Indiana Department of Health's Food Protection Manager Certification Page.
Nationally accredited food safety manager certification programs and examinations utilizing the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
A valid certified Food Manager/Handler Certificate must include the following accreditation: