Retail Food
A Retail Food Facility includes any business or entity that sells or gives food (or beverage) to the public (e.g., customers, attendees, students, employees, patients, inmates, homeless or needy). This includes restaurants, markets, farm stands, farmers' markets, bars, snack bars, school or staff cafeterias, detention facility kitchens, caterers, production kitchens, commissaries, cottage food, charitable feeding, temporary events (e.g., fairs, festivals), skilled nursing and hospital kitchens, and mobile food (food trucks, ice cream trucks, food carts).
There are more than 4,400 retail food facilities in Contra Costa County. Environmental Health conducts regular unannounced inspections of these facilities, and also investigates complaints and reports of foodborne illness. Inspections and investigations are done to ensure these facilities are sanitary and handling food items in a safe manner in compliance with State law.
- Applications
- FAQ
- Inspections
- Misc
- Permit Process
- Placarding Program
- Plan Review
- Resources
- Reusable Containers
- Catering
- Charitable Food
- CFM
- CFO
- Edible Food Recovery
- Emergency Preparedness
- Farm Stands
- Mobile Food
- SNFs
- Temp Food Permits
- Wholesale Food
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Applications, Forms, and Fee Schedule
This is a list of all the applications, forms, and fee schedule associated with the Retail Food Program. The program specific forms are also located on that program's page (e.g., Mobile Food).
Health Permit Applications and Fee Schedule
- Health Permit Application: Catering Business
- Health Permit Application or Registration: Cottage Food
- Health Permit Application: Food Facility and Public Pool
- Health Permit Application: Mobile Food Facility
- Health Permit Application: Temporary Food Event
- Permit Exemption Application (25 sq-ft or less of non-PHF)
- Certified Farmers' Market Temporary Food Facility Permit Application
- Fees: Retail Food
- Permit Fee Exemption & Self-Attestation Form
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FAQs
- Catering FAQs (pending)
- CFM FAQs
- CFO FAQs
- Change of Ownership – Retail Food FAQs
- Charitable Food Facility FAQs
- Disaster/Emergency Preparedness – Retail Food FAQs
- Edible Food Recovery FAQs
- Farm Stand FAQs (pending)
- Incidental Food FAQs
- Mobile Food Facility FAQs
- Permit Process – Retail Food FAQs
- Placarding Program FAQs
- Retail Food Inspections FAQs
- SNF and Hospital Food Service FAQs
- Temporary Food Permit FAQs
- Wholesale Food FAQs
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Inspections Explained
Retail food facilities are subject to regular unannounced inspections by Environmental Health. Environmental Health also investigates consumer complaints.
- Food Facility Inspection App
- Retail Food Inspection Flowchart-Pending
- Retail Food Inspections FAQs
- Sample Inspection Report
- Search Food Facility Inspection Data Base
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Miscellaneous/ General Information
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Permit Application Process Explained
Below explains the process to build a new retail food facility or take over an existing facility. A facility cannot operate without a health permit and permits are not transferrable.
New Facility
For a business building from scratch or taking over a building that does not currently house a food facility.
- Permit Application Process and Flowchart (pending)
- Permit Process FAQs
Ownership Change of Existing Facility
For a business taking over an existing retail food facility. A facility evaluation by Environmental Health is required prior to the ownership change being approved. Do not rely entirely on past inspection reports to determine if any upgrades will be required.
- Change of Ownership Flowchart – Retail Food (pending)
- Facility Evaluation Application – Food Facility and Public Pools (ownership change)
- Plan Review vs. Food Facility Code Evaluation Questionnaire
- Prospective Owner of a Retail Facility Informational Sheet
- Risk Category Questionnaire
- Change of Ownership – Retail Food FAQs
- Permit Fee Exemption & Self-Attestation Form
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Placarding System
Contra Costa County uses a color-coded placarding system to publicly report the results of food safety inspections and food safety practices at fixed retail food facilities. Mobile food facilities that prepare, cook or heat food will also receive a placard at the conclusion of a field inspection.
Placarding requirements apply to all fixed retail food facilities except cottage food operations, vending machines, temporary food events, certified farmers' markets, and farm stands.
Documents
- About the Placarding System
- Placarding Program FAQs
- How to Get a Green Placard | Spanish | Chinese – Simplified | Chinese – Traditional | Korean | Vietnamese
Videos
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Plan Review
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Resources: Codes, Documents, Signage, Training, Videos, Other Link
The following is a list resources to help a retail food facility operate in a safe and sanitary manner. It is important that employees or volunteers involved in food service be trained in the basics of food safety and sanitation as well as specifics training related to their job tasks.
Codes
- California Retail Food Code (CalCode)
- Contra Costa County Ordinance Chapter 413
- Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
Documents
- CBD Information 1/21
- C02 Flyer
- Cooling Log
- Deli Slicers: Commercial Deli Slicer Inspection Tips
- Deli Slicers: Keep Commercial Deli Slicers Safe
- Disaster Sanitation: Drink Safe Water (CDC)
- Disaster Sanitation: Food Safety During a Disaster
- Disaster Sanitation: FoodSafety.gov
- Disaster Sanitation: Food and Water Safety During Power Outages and Floods
- Disaster Sanitation: Food and Water Safety During Power Outages and Floods – Spanish
- Dogs in Outdoor Dining Areas – Operator
- Dogs in Outdoor Dining Areas – Customer
- Facility Maintenance Log
- F.D.A. Employee Health and Personal Hygiene Handbook
- Food Employee Illness: Example Sick Policy
- Food Employee Illness Reporting (CDPH)
- Food Employee Illness Reporting Form (CCEH)
- Food Safety Tips – English | Spanish | Chinese Simplified | Chinese Traditional | Japanese | Korean | Lao |Thai | Vietnamese
- Food Safety: Vertical Rotisseries – English
- Food Safety: Vertical Rotisseries – Spanish
- "How to Get a Green" poster – English
- "How to Get a Green" poster – Spanish
- "How to Get a Green" poster – Chinese/Simplified
- "How to Get a Green" poster – Chinese/Traditional
- "How to Get a Green" poster – Korean
- "How to Get a Green" poster – Vietnamese
- Menu Labeling Guide for Restaurants and Retail Establishments Selling Away-from-Home Foods
- Menu Labeling Requirements (CDPH)
- Norovirus Cleanup
- Norovirus Handout (CDC)
- Norovirus Prevention
- Plan Review vs. Food Facility Code Evaluation Questionnaire
- Prospective Owner of a Retail Facility Informational Sheet
- Raw Milk: FDA fact sheet
- Retail Food Facility: Change of Ownership Packet (pending)
- Retail Food Facility: New Owner Packet (pending)
- Retail Food Facility: Self-Inspection
- Risk Category Questionnaire
- Safe Ways to Cool Foods
- Sanitizer Solution Log
- SBDC Northern CA Flyer
- Assembly Bill 1276 Fact Sheet
- Time as a Control Log
- Time as a Public Health Control (TPHC) Guidance and Worksheet
- Trans Fat: The Facts (CDC)
- Trans Fat: Nutrition Facts Label (FDA)
- Trans Fat: Partially Hydrogenated Oils (PHOs): CDPH Notice
Signage
- Choking First Aid (pending)
- Cooking Temperatures (pending)
- Danger Zone (pending)
- Handwash – English
- Handwash – Spanish
- Handwash – Chinese
- Inspection Report Available for Review
- No Animals Allowed (pending)
- No Smoking
- Public Restrooms Not Available
- Warewashing Sticker - English
- Warewashing Sticker – Spanish
- Warewashing Sticker – Chinese
Training Classes
- HACCP Training Class Video
- TRAINING: Food Safety Certification for Managers Schedule
- Food Handler Card – English (pending)
- Food Handler Card – Spanish (pending)
- Food Handler Card – Chinese (pending)
- Food Handler Card Training approved in California
- New Operator Orientation Video
- New Operator Orientation PowerPoint
- Orientation Flyer
Videos: Educational Videos for Retail Food Employees
San Bernardino County Environmental Health and Riverside County Environmental Health have useful videos on their websites that you may find helpful for training employees. Contra Costa Environmental Health is grateful for their permission to share these with our retail food businesses and operators.
San Bernardino County Environmental Health Videos (YouTube)
- Breaking Down Soft Serve Machines
- Cooking Temperatures
- Cooling Hot Food Safety
- Food Storage
- Handwashing Done Right
- How to Avoid Cross Contamination
- Pest Prevention
- Proper Thawing Methods
- Reheating for Hot Holding
- Preliminary Education for Food Facility Operators | Spanish
- Sanitizing – Using a Bucket
- Sanitizing Using a Spray Bottle
- Using a Thermometer
- Warewashing Using a Machine with Chemical Sanitizer
- Warewashing Using a Three Compartment Sink
Contra Costa Environmental Health Videos
- CCC Food Contact Surfaces – English
- CCC Food Contact Surfaces – Spanish
- CCC Food Contact Surfaces – Chinese
- CCC Food Contact Surfaces – Thai
- CCC Food Contact Surfaces – Korean
- CCC Food Contact Surfaces – Vietnamese
- CCC Handwashing – English
- CCC Handwashing - Spanish
Riverside County Environmental Health Videos (YouTube)
Other Links
The following agencies may have regulatory oversight related to your operation, depending on items sold or types of food processes performed.
State
- California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
- California Department of Food and Agriculture
- California Department of Public Health – Food and Drug Branch
- CalOSHA
Local
- County Weights and Measures
- City Building and Fire Departments
- Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
- East Contra Costa Fire Protection District
- BAAQMD
- Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
- Delta Diablo Sanitary District
- Ironhouse Sanitary District
- Mt. View Sanitary District
- Rodeo Sanitary District
- Stege Sanitary District
- Contra Costa Hazardous Material Division
Federal
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Reusable Containers
- CDPH AB1276 Facts Single Use Items
- CONSUMER Reusable Container Flyer
- FOOD FACILITY Reusable Containers Flyer
- RecycleSmart AB 1276 Flyer
- RecycleSmart Food Recovery Requirements Flyer
- SB 1383 Food Donation Brochure
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Catering/Production Kitchens
A production kitchen is a retail food facility in which one or more operators rent space and time in order to prepare foods. The foods are then sold at the retail level at events, fairs, festivals, or farmers' markets. The operator of the production kitchen obtains a production kitchen health permit. The operators renting use of the facility each obtain a catering permit.
- Catering Checklist
- Catering Packet
- Catering SOP
- List of Production Kitchens
- Production Kitchen Agreement
- Catering FAQs (pending)
- Permit Fee Exemption & Self-Attestation Form
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Charitable Food Facility (Shelters, church kitchens, food banks)
Food that is given away as part of homeless or other feeding program is still subject to regulatory oversight to ensure the food is handled in a safe and sanitary manner. Charitable food facilities include soup kitchens, food banks, and other feeding programs for homeless or needy individuals.
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Certified Farmers' Markets
Certified Farmers' Markets (CFMs) are venues where farmers can set up a booth or stall to sell directly to the consumer. These vendors operate under a CFM health permit. There may be other vendors onsite selling other types of prepared foods. These other vendors operate under a temporary food permit.
- CFM Information (CDFA)
- CFM Information – County Ag Department
- Guidelines for Certified Farmers' Market
- Certified Farmers' Market Temporary Food Facility Permit Application
- CFM FAQs
- Permit Fee Exemption & Self-Attestation Form
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Cottage Food Operations (CFO)
A cottage food operation (CFO) is a home-based operation allowing certain foods to be prepared in a home kitchen and in limited amounts for retail sale. Below is a list of food items that can be prepared under a CFO health permit. For other types of foods, consider a catering health permit as an option, where the food is made at a production kitchen.
- CFO Application Packet
- Approved Cottage Food List
- Cottage Food Information – CDPH
- Cottage Food Operator Training (CDPH)
- Cottage Food packet
- CFO Application Renewal Packet Fillable 2023/2024
- CFO FAQs
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Edible Food Recovery
The California State Legislature passed a law (SB 1383) encouraging the use of leftover food items from retail food facilities that can be safely donated. These food items can then be given to the homeless or needy individuals and families.
Millions of people struggle with hunger in the United States, including children and seniors. A household that is "food insecure" lacks access to affordable and nutritious food to support a healthy life. Many struggle to find their next meal. Many restaurants and markets discard food that was not sold into their garbage can, which eventually ends up in the landfills. Some of this food is still wholesome for consumption.
We encourage people to donate their unwanted or minimally expired food goods to designated food donation centers to help the hungry here in our county.
- Additional Information for Food Waste Reduction, Recovery, and Diversion
- Donate Surplus Food to Stop Hunger
- Donating Food Safety
- Food Assistance Contra Costa Crisis Center
- Food Donation Agreement Form
- Good Samaritan Food Donation Act (California AB 1219)
- Good Samaritan Food Donation Act (Federal)
- SB1383 – CalRecycle Information
- SB 1383 Fact Sheet – CDPH Information
- Too Good To Waste
- Edible Food Recovery FAQs
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Emergency Preparedness/Disaster – Retail Food
Retail food facilities are encouraged to prepare for natural disasters or other emergencies. These could include fires, earthquakes, floods, or power outages.
- What to do During Power Outages | Spanish | Chinese – Simplified | Chinese – Traditional | Korean | Vietnamese | Thai
- Disaster/Emergency Preparedness – Retail Food FAQs
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Farm Stands
A farm stand is a retail facility which is associated with an agricultural enterprise and allowed to sell certain food items. There are limitations to the types of items that can be sold with this type of health permit.
- Farm Stand Permit Requirements
- Farm Stand Supplemental Information
- Farm Stand FAQs (pending)
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Mobile Food/Commissaries (Food trucks, ice cream trucks, food trailers, and food carts)
A mobile food facility is a drivable, towable, or otherwise portable conveyance that sells food items. These include food trucks, food trailers, produce trucks, ice cream trucks, push carts, hot dog carts, and other carts.
- Directions to Vehicle Inspection Site
- Immediate Closure of MFFs
- Mobile Food Facility Commissaries
- New Renewal Process Announcement
Application Forms
- Mobile Food Facility Application Packet | Spanish
- Mobile Food Facility Checklist
- Plan Review Construction/Remodel Application: Mobile Food Facility
- Construction Checklist: Mobile Food Facility
- Mobile Food Facility FAQs
Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO)
- Sidewalk Food Vendor Information | Spanish
- CMFO FAQs | Spanish
- Resource List (English/Spanish)
- Plan Review Application
- Application Packet | Spanish
- Workshop Materials (Zip Files)
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Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) and Hospitals
Environmental regulates the foodservice at skilled nursing facilities and other health care facilities, such as hospitals. The kitchens prepare and serve to patient meals and may also prepare meals for staff and visitors.
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Temporary Food Permits (Festivals, Fairs, other Events)
A temporary food health permit is issued to community-based events such as fairs and festivals. Typically, vendors set up food booths in which food is prepared and then served to consumers.
- Learn How to Host Your Food Event Safely
- Health Permit Application: Temporary Food Event Application for Temporary Food Event Permit
- Temporary Food Facilities (brochure)
- Temporary Food Permit FAQs
- Permit Fee Exemption & Self-Attestation Form
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Wholesale Food Facilities
Wholesale food facilities are regulated by State and Federal agencies. These include processors and distributors. The facilities typically do not sell directly to consumers.
Links to other agencies that regulate wholesale food operations.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- U.S. Department of Food and Agriculture (USDA)
- California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC)
- California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
- California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)
- Wholesale Food FAQs