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Food Establishment Permits

Posted on | May 18, 2010 | No Comments

As we gear up for summer picnics and events, remember to obtain or renew your food handler’s permit early.  Permits can be obtained through the Douglas, Lancaster and Hall County Health Departments or through the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s 14 statewide Environmental Health Specialists.  Contact information for your area Specialist is available through the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s Inspector Map.   Depending on location, there will be city and state applications and fees, payable at the time of the inspection.  Permits are to be renewed each year by August 1 and are available on the NDA’s renewal website, which will be activated on July 1, 2010.

General Permit Guidelines

All food establishments will be inspected at least once every six months, or according to a risk-based inspection process.  Restaurants that prepare-cool-reheat potentially hazardous foods will be inspected more frequently.  Establishments that sell only pre-packaged foods will, on average, be inspected less frequently.

Additional inspections may be required:

• Pre-inspection for New/Remodeled Food Establishments – Builders must submit copies of the plans for review and approval prior to building.   Building plans and actual facility are checked for kitchen design, handwashing and warewashing facilities, restrooms, plumbing, and other physical aspects of the establishment.
• Complaint Inspection – All complaints received by NDA are investigated.
• Follow-up Violation Inspection – Conducted if violations are found during a routine or complaint inspection that require additional correction.  If “critical violations” are found during any inspection, the Environmental Health Specialist will issue a compliance date that may range from immediately to a day or more.
• Foodborne Illness Investigation – Conducted if a foodborne illness is actually confirmed through medical or laboratory testing.

Besides the food establishment permit, other types of food permits include:

• Temporary Food Establishment:  selling foods for immediate consumption.
• Itinerant Food Vendor:  Selling foods prepackaged at a permitted facility, including fresh or frozen meat and poultry.
• Mobile Food Unit:  selling prepackaged items and foods requiring limited preparation in a vehicle-mounted food facility.
• Pushcart:  selling prepackaged items in a non self-propelled unit.

Requirements for Food Establishment Operations are listed with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture  and the Lancaster County/City Health Department.  Click for a copy of the Nebraska Food Code.

Besides permits for the facilities, you will also need permits for individual food handlers, now available online through the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health.

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