Food Safety

The Food Safety Program plays a vital role in protecting public health by ensuring that food served and sold in our community is safe, properly handled, and prepared in sanitary conditions. From restaurants and grocery stores to school cafeterias and food trucks, we oversee a wide range of food service operations.

Our responsibilities include reviewing construction and alteration plans for new or remodeled food service establishments to ensure they meet health codes before opening. We issue permits, conduct routine inspections, and monitor food handling practices to ensure compliance with local and state regulations. When violations occur, we are authorized to take enforcement action to correct unsafe conditions.

We also respond quickly to food-borne illness complaints and outbreaks, conducting investigations to identify the source and prevent further spread. When necessary, we quarantine adulterated or contaminated food products to protect the public.

As part of our prevention efforts, we provide online food safety training to food service personnel at least once every three years. These trainings cover best practices in food handling, storage, hygiene, and kitchen sanitation to help reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.

If you're opening a food business and need to schedule an inspection, contact our Food Safety team by calling your local Health Department here.

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Boil Water Advisory

During a water supply emergency, water may serve as a source of contamination for food, equipment, utensils and hands. Therefore, in order to provide protection to consumers and employees, the Kentucky Department for Public Health has developed a guide which you can download below.

WATER INTERRUPTION GUIDELINES FOR FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS NO WATER/BOIL WATER