Food Hygiene and Community Sanitation

Food Hygiene 

Investigation of Food Illness Complaints

Persons experiencing illness which they believe to be related to food they may have eaten can contact:

• An Environmental Public Health Office

  • West Palm Beach: 561-837-5900

  • Delray Beach: 561-274-3188

  • Belle Glade: 561-996-1633

• Report a Food or Waterborne Illness Complaint Online

Food Hygiene License Applications/Guides

• Inspect food service establishments per Chapter 64E-11, F.A.C.

• Educate the operators

• Enforce the public health requirements

• Facilities regulated:

  • Detention facilities

  • Public and private schools

  • Migrant labor camps

  • Assisted living facilities

  • Facilities participating in the United States Department of Agriculture Afterschool Meal Program (with certain restrictions),

  • Child Care Centers

  • Adult day care centers

  • Short-term residential treatment centers

  • Residential treatment facilities

  • Homes for special services

  • Transitional living facilities

  • Crisis stabilization units

  • Hospices

  • Prescribed pediatric extended care centers

  • Intermediate care facilities for persons with developmental disabilities

  • Boarding schools

  • Civic or fraternal organizations

  • Bars and lounges (with certain restrictions)

  • Domestic violence centers

  • Theaters with certain restrictions

  • Note: May also include facilities used at temporary events, mobile food units, and vending machines

• Application For A Sanitation Certificate DH_4086

• Plan Review Application

• Plan Review Guide

• Food Manager Certification Information

• Florida Food Recalls

• Food Safety and Sanitation Program Forms

Community Sanitation 

Sanitary Nuisances Investigations

The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County investigates complaints regarding Sanitary Nuisances as defined in Florida Statute 386.041. This includes:

• Untreated or improperly treated human waste, garbage, offal, dead animals, or dangerous waste materials from manufacturing processes, air pollutants, gasses, and noisome odors which are harmful to human or animal life.
• Improperly built or maintained septic tanks, water closets, or privies.
• Keeping diseased animals dangerous to human health.
• Unclean or filthy places where animals are slaughtered.
• The creation, maintenance, or causing of any condition capable of breeding flies, mosquitoes, or other arthropods capable of transmitting diseases, directly or indirectly to humans.
• Any act or condition determined to be a sanitary nuisance as defined in Florida Statute 386.01.

Environmental Health Inspections

• Migrant Labor Camps and Housing

• Mobile Home Parks

• Public Schools

• Charter Schools

• Private Schools

• Group Care Facilities

• Food Service

Note: Public restaurants are regulated by the Florida Department of Business and Regulation, Division of Hotels and Restaurants at 850-487-1395 and grocery stores are regulated by the Florida Department of Agriculture at 800-435-7352.

Migrant Housing 

• Inspection to minimize the incidence of injury or development of disease per Chapter 64E-14, F.A.C.

• Ensure housing is safe and sanitary

• Permitting

• For more information please see the department's website

Mobile Home Parks 

• Inspection, permitting and enforcing environmental health requirements per Chapter 64E-15, F.A.C.

• Inspections conducted at least twice per year

• Water and sewer connections are often temporary at vehicular residences

• Facilities regulated:

  • Recreational Vehicles (RVs)

  • Mobile Homes

  • Recreational Camps

  • For more information please see the department's website