Food Protection and Inspection
Retail and Consumer ProtectionThe primary purpose of the food program is to protect the public from foodborne illnesses and assure that food provided for human consumption is wholesome, properly labeled, advertised and produced under conditions which are safe and sanitary. In order to accomplish this purpose the program is divided into three elements.
Retail and Consumer Protection
This portion of the program deals with routine inspections, foodborne illness investigations and complaint investigations, for any facility that serves food to the public. These facilities include restaurants, school cafeterias, grocery stores, mini-marts, lunch trucks, and special events. A copy of the 2006 California Uniform Retail Food Facility Law (CURFFL), the state law that regulates food facilities, is available at the Department of Health Services Web site.
Sherman Food, Drug and Cosmetic Law
This law assures that any food is properly labeled and not presented in a misleading way.
Food Facility Plan Check and Construction
Anyone who wishes to build or renovate a restaurant or market must submit plans so that an investigation can be done to assure that the facility will be constructed to the minimum standards of the California Health and Safety Code. Plan check fees must be submitted with a completed Application for Retail Food Facility Plan Review.
Click here to download the application for Retail Food Facility Review.
To view the Food Committee documents of the California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health, including a plan check guide, please click here.
Food Inspections
To view the results of Merced County inspections of food facilities, please click here.
To read Merced County's inspection policy, please click here.
More Information
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Mary Coakley at Environmental Health Specialist and Food Program Manager, at (209) 710-6096 or mcoakley@co.merced.ca.us.
