The Food Unit of the St. Joseph County Department of Health is charged with enforcing the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) Retail Food Sanitation Requirements 410 IAC 7-26, Certification of Food Handler Requirements 410 IAC 7-22 for the Certified Food Protection Manager, and Schedule of Civil Penalties 410 IAC 7-23 and Chapter 117: St. Joseph County Food Establishments.
In St. Joseph County, there are 1,600 permitted establishments that receive unannounced inspections routinely throughout the year to ensure the retail food establishments follow safe food handling practices.
Additionally, food vendors participating in temporary events (fairs, etc.) receive inspections during the event.
During foodborne illness outbreak investigations, the food unit collaborates with the nursing unit, epidemiologist, and IDOH field epidemiologist. Investigation of other non-foodborne illness complaints is completed when the complainant provides the date and time of the visit to the retail food establishment.
| Food Service Documents | Opening a Food Establishment |
| Forms and Permits | Possible Foodborne Illness complaint |
Preventable Foodborne Illness
Surviving Foodborne Illness