Food Protection
The Food and Lodging Protection staff visits and evaluates approximately 4,000 food establishments to ensure safe food, sanitary conditions, trained food staff and food safe practices.
The types of facilities regulated include:
- Restaurants
- Hospital and institutional kitchens
- Daycare food services
- School lunchrooms
- Grocery stores
- Food trucks and carts
- Food processors
- Temporary food events
- Bars
- Concession stands
- Convenience stores
The Jefferson County Health Department (JCDH) enforces the regulations set by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), Rules of Alabama State Board of Health Bureau of Environmental Services,
Chapter 420-3-22, for Food Establishment Sanitation. The majority of the 2013 FDA Food Code has been adopted by the state of Alabama as regulation, along with some items unique to our state and a few exclusions to the Food Code. In addition, there are some regulations exclusive to Jefferson County only.
The Rules of Alabama State Board of Health Bureau of Environmental Services for Food Establishment Sanitation require a variance and/or HACCP plan for specialized food processes. See the HACCP Plans and Variances page for more.
JCDH also uses the State of Alabama
Food Processing Rules for Food Manufacturers, which cite the Code of Federal Regulations. These rules are applied to facilities that produce or process foods that are not sold directly to the consumer, but rather are sold or distributed to retail establishments.
The first step in starting any type of food business is to submit plans to the Health Department for review and approval. See the plan review page for more.
Operating a food unit at a public event such as a fair or festival, requires an application for a temporary event food permit. See the temporary food service event page for more.
For more information:
(205) 930-1260