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Consumer Alerts (Recalls)
Food Protection Program
The Environmental Division of the Stark County Health Department Food Protection Program provides the following services to the public and food industry:
- Inspects and regulates every type of food service and food establishment - restaurants, caterers, institutions, retail markets, mobile vendors, temporary and seasonal food facilities.
- Investigates citizen complaints about unsafe or unsanitary conditions in food service and food establishments.
- Investigates allegations of contaminated food and food-borne illness.
- Provides food safety certification course and exam for food industry managers and basic food safety training to food workers.
- Offers food safety information to the public.
- Reviews facility plans for new and/or remodeled food businesses.
Complaints
The types of complaints to report to the Food Protection Program relate to the unsanitary conditions and improper food handling or any suspected food-borne illness at any type of food facility serving the public.
If you suspect a business or industry of violating environmental health codes or you have an illness-related complaint please call (330) 493-9904 and ask for the Food Protection Program.
Timing is critical when reporting violations of health codes or food-borne illness. You can either fill out a nuisance complaint form, send us an e-mail or call (330) 493-9904 or fax (330) 493-9920.
All information will be kept confidential. Only complaints regarding locations in the Stark County Health Department jurisdiction are investigated.
Restaurant/Food Service Inspection Report Requests
Please complete ALL of information below if you would like to be mailed the latest inspection report for a restaurant. We can only provide for those facilities licensed by the Stark County Health Department. Restaurants in Alliance, Canton and Massillon are inspected by their own respective health departments.
For requests of more than 2 operations, please call the Food Protection Program for different arrangements (330) 493-9904.
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License Fees & Applications
Temporary Food License
All temporary food stands at fairs and festivals must have a current State of Ohio Food License to operate. Temporary stands require a separate food license for each event and location. The license is valid for five (5) consecutive days of operation.
All potentially hazardous foods (meats, cheeses, dairy products, fish, pasta, rice, cooked vegetables, etc.) must be prepared on the site or at another licensed facility. Foods prepared in a private home may not be used or sold at the event. The menu items should be minimized and food preparation steps should be simplified to reduce risk.
Before opening a temporary food service operation or temporary retail food establishment, you must submit a Temporary Food Prelicense Application including a drawing showing the facility layout. Also, to help streamline the process you can fill out and send in your state Temporary Food License Application and FEE. Please call the Food Protection Program at (330) 493-9904 if you have questions concerning temporary food stands.
To read about the regulations and standards for Temporary Food Stands and other articles of interest, click on the links below.
Temporary Operation Food Handling Guidelines
Vending Machine License
"Vending machine" means a self-service device that automatically dispenses on the insertion of currency, tokens, or similar means a predetermined unit serving of food, either in bulk or in package, without having to be replenished after each use.
"Vending machine location" means an area or room where one or more vending machines are installed and operated, except that if the machines within an area are separated by more than one hundred fifty feet, each area separated by that distance constitutes a separate vending machine location.
Ohio law requires each vending machine location to have a Food Service Operation License. Before opening a vending machine location, you must submit a Vending Machine License Application and FEE. Prior to licensing your location, a pre-operational inspection must be done to assure compliance with Ohio Food Code. Please call the Food Protection Program at (330) 493-9904 to schedule the pre-operation inspection or if you have questions.
Note: When a vending machine is located in a licensed Food Service Operation or Retail Food Establishment (example: a cafeteria), operated by the same licensed operator, the vending location can be covered under the Food Service Operation or Retail Food Establishment License. There is no need for a separate Vending Machine License.
To read about the regulations and standards for Food Vending Machines and other articles of interest, click on the links below.
Food Vending Machine Fact Sheet
Mobile Food License
Ohio Law requires the every person, who intends to prepare or serve food from a movable vehicle, portable structure or watercraft that routinely changes location, obtain a Mobile Food Operation License. Ohio Law also requires that every Mobile Food Operation comply with the applicable sections of the Ohio Administrative Code 3717-1. For more information on Mobile Food Operation see Mobile Food Service Fact Sheet and Mobile Food Establishment Fact Sheet .
Food code states, “The operator of a mobile food service operation shall make application for a license to the board of health of the health district in which the operator's business headquarters are located. The operator of a mobile food service operation whose business address is located outside of Ohio shall make application for a license to the board of health having jurisdiction over the operator's first Ohio location in any one licensing year. A food service license issued to an operator of a mobile food service operation by an approved health district, as provided in Chapter 3717 of the Revised Code, shall be recognized by all other licensors in this state.’
How to Obtain a Mobile Food License:
Before operating a mobile food unit, you must submit a Mobile Food License Application and FEE to the Stark County Health Department. Prior to licensing your unit, you must contact this office ten (10) days before your first day of operation to schedule a pre-operational inspection, as this will help us complete the facility layout and menu required on the back of the license. Note: An inspection of your mobile unit is required prior to a license being issued. Please call the Food Protection Program at (330) 493-9904 to schedule the pre-operational inspection or if you have questions.
Note: If you are planning to build a mobile unit and want a license from this department, please contact the Food Protection Program prior to construction.
To read about the regulations and standards for mobile food units and other articles of interest, click on the links below.
Mobile Food Pre-Operational Checklist
Plan Review Guide
When is Food Operation Plan Review Required? When is a Food License Transfer Granted?
Introduction to Food Operation Plan Review
The purpose of Food Protection Program Plan Review is to assure that all equipment and construction in a new or remodeled food facility is in compliance with the Ohio Uniform Food Safety Code. It is a service provided prior to construction to assist operators to incorporate food safety into their facility through the installation of appropriate equipment and proper structural design. This preventative approach is designed to reduce or eliminate problems once the business is in operation.
The Food Safety Regulations require that properly prepared plans be submitted to this department for review and approval prior to construction. The following six items must be included in your plan submission:
1. One complete facility floor plan drawn to scale: follow the Plan Review Guidelines - For more reference information on plan review go to FDA Plan Review Guide
2. A complete site plan
3. A signed and completed Plan Review Application
4. A complete equipment list that include manufacturer’s names and model numbers (specification sheets are preferred)
5. A proposed menu
6. Payment of FEE for review of the construction plan. Your plan review and license fee is based on the highest risk level activity of the new food operation in accordance with the following criteria: Risk Levels For Food Operations Note: Please make all checks payable to the Stark County Health Department.
Forward all plans with the proper fee to:
Stark County Health Department
Food Protection Program
3951 Convenience Circle, N.W.
Canton, OH 44718
Upon receipt, your plan will be logged and then assigned to a plans examiner. You will be notified by letter whether your plan is in compliance, or whether additional information is needed, once it is reviewed. Submission of all items at the same time is essential in order to streamline and prevent delays in the review.
Note: After the plans have been received, they will be reviewed within 30 days. This applies to new or remodeled operations. Plans are reviewed in the order they are received or resubmitted. If your plans are incomplete or disapproved, the 30 days begins again after the necessary information or revisions are received.
Feel free to contact the Food Protection Program if you have specific questions with regard to your plan at (330) 493-9904.
Plumbing Requirements for Food Operations
After you receive an approved food plan you may submit your Plumbing Plan Review Application. Food plans have to be approved prior to submitting your plumbing plan review in case food code requires a plumbing fixture to be added or relocated.
Any plumbing contractor engaged in or intending to engage in the plumbing business in the Stark County Health Department jurisdiction must be registered with the department. Plumbing Contractor Registration Form and Criteria..
Note: All Plumbing Contractors wishing to register with the Stark County Health Department for commercial work must be a Licensed Plumbing Contractor in the State of Ohio.
Be advised a final plumbing inspection must be arranged for by your licensed plumber and conducted prior to your pre-operational food inspection. A food permit will not be issued unless the plumbing work has been approved.
Pre-Operational Food Inspection
Before a Pre-Operational Food Inspection is performed the following will need to be completed:
1. If your facility is served by an individual on-site water well or sewage treatment system, the system(s) must have the approval of the Ohio E.P.A.
2. Approvals from all appropriate agencies, such as Building and Electric Inspection, Plumbing Inspection, Fire Authority and Local Zoning Authority, must be obtained.
A pre-operational food inspection must be conducted prior to opening and permit issued. Please contact this office at least ten (10) days prior to your projected opening date to schedule the pre-operational inspection. At that time, the building must be completed and all equipment must be operational, including coolers at the correct temperature.
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Multilingual Food Safety Resources
Integrated Food Safety Information Delivery System (IFSIDS)
World Health Organization
Food Safety Web
TOP Grease Trap Information
Grease Trap Code
Grease Trap Diagram
Grease Trap Sizing Worksheet
Maintenance And Use Of Grease Traps
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