The Environmental Health Unit inspects all restaurants and other retail food establishments at least once a year. This also includes schools, daycare centers, special events and just about any other place where food is served or sold to the public. There are over 1400 retail food establishments in Atlantic County (not including Atlantic City). Trained inspectors also investigate complaints regarding retail food establishments. Investigations with the Community Health Unit are also initiated after reports are received indicating an individual has been diagnosed with a communicable food-borne disease and may have eaten at a retail food establishment. Staff also provides food safety classes to food handlers upon request.

Anyone planning to open a new establishment or planning to remodel an existing establishment must call 609-645-5971 ext. 4367 to submit plans and arrange for a pre-operational inspection and/or complete the Retail Food Application included below. Legal References: N.J.S.A. 26:1A-7 N.J.A.C. 8:24-1 et seq. - State Sanitary Code - Chapter XII N.J.S.A. 26:1A-7 N.J.A.C. 8:24-1 et seq. - Chapter 24

Helpful Links:

• New Jersey Department of Health - Consumer, Environmental and Occupational Health Service
• US FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
• USFDA CURRENT RECALLS - Foods and Other Products

Forms and Documents:

• Application - Retail Food
• Chapter 24 - Risk Based Inspection Check Sheet
• Emergency Action Planning Guidance for Retail Food Establishments.
• Food Safery at Temporary Events
• Revised Vibrio parahaemolyticus Control Plan-2016