Food Service Sanitation

The purpose of the Food Service Sanitation program is to protect the public from food-borne diseases and hazards in food prepared at restaurants, bars, mobile food vendors, temporary food events, or anywhere food is served to the public.

Regular inspections at these establishments are conducted by Environmental Health Specialists to ensure food served to the public comes from an approved source and is appropriately stored, prepared, cooked and/or cooled, and served to prevent growth of disease-causing organisms.

If food is prepared and served to the public, a license is generally needed even if the food is free or offered for a donation. Check with Environmental Health, (906)786-9692, to see if your event would require a license.

When a food-borne illness involving two or more people who do not reside in the same household occurs, Environmental Health conducts an investigation in an attempt to identify the source of the outbreak. These lessons help individuals and establishments develop better practices in order to avoid future illnesses.

Most people know that a successful food event is a safe food event. Few people realize that preparing and serving food can be dangerous. Food poisoning resulting from improperly prepared food is often easy to prevent. Approximately 48 million people are affected by food borne illnesses each year in the United States, resulting in approximately 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. Common symptoms of food borne illness include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, fever, and other "flu-like" symptoms. This is why the Michigan Food Law requires a license and an inspection prior to serving food to the public, even if there is no charge for the food. Reduce the risk of getting sick by checking to see that a license is posted before eating at the next food event.

Anyone organizing a food event at a festival, community fundraiser, or other special event is required to contact Public Health, Delta & Menominee Counties to see if a Temporary Food License is required. Event organizers will be advised to use key food safety principles to reduce the potential for a food borne illness. All food events and Food Service Establishments are required to follow the Michigan Modified Food Code and the Michigan Food Law. Contact PHDM to learn how to make your food event a safe and successful one.