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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

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Food Hygiene

Florida Department of Health in Liberty County

Food Hygiene Program Did that Meal or Drink make you Sick?
The Department of Health does not regulate restaurants. Due to changes in the Florida Legislature, restaurant inspection and permitting was taken over by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. You may contact DBPR at 850-487-1395.

Department of Business and Professional Regulation

The Food Hygiene Program is designed to promote, protect and improve the health of the public by monitoring and regulating food handling and sanitary conditions of food service in institutional settings.

•After school meal program
•Adult day care
•Assisted living facilities
•Bars and lounges
•Civic & fraternal organizations
•Crisis stabilization unit
•Detention facility
•Domestic violence shelter
•Hospice
•Intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled
•Mobile food units
•Movie theater
•Prescribed pediatric extended care
•Recreation camps
•Residential treatment facility (ACHA)
•Schools
•Summer school food service programs
•Transitional living facility

Inspections are conducted within Liberty County two to four times a year depending on the type of establishment. These facilities are regulated under Florida Statute 381.0101 and Florida Administrative Code 64E-11 (259kb;pdf).

Inspections Consist of:

  • Ensuring that food is stored, handled and served in a sanitary manner to prevent cross contamination and the spread of food-borne illness.
  • Utensils and serving equipment are properly cleaned and sanitized
  • Work areas and equipment are kept clean, safe and sanitized.
  • Sanitary facilities are operational, clean and equipped with hand-washing facilities.


The Client will Receive a Permit to Conduct Business after:

  1. Application for a Sanitation Certificate (1.57mb;pdf)
  2. Food Establishment Guide (126.96kb;pdf)
  3. Payment of required permit fees
  4. Facility Plans are submitted and approved (if opening business)
  5. Construction site evaluation conducted and approved (if opening business)
  6. Proof of “required training” through the Department of Health (if applies)
  7. Final Inspection is conducted and given a rating of “Satisfactory”

A Food Safety Manager Certificate is required for certain facilities.

As of July 1, 2010, due to changes in the Florida Legislature, the Department of Health no longer regulates Food Safety in Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Childcare Centers. Please contact ACHA in regards to Hospitals and Nursing Homes and DCF for Childcare.

Additional Resources
CDC: A-Z Index for Foodborne Illness