Food Protection and Inspection

The primary purpose of the food program is to protect the public from food-borne 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, food-borne illness investigations, and complaint investigations for any facility that provides food to the public. These facilities include restaurants, school cafeterias, grocery stores, mini-marts, lunch trucks, and special events. A copy of the California Retail Food Code (CalCode), the State law that regulates food facilities, and amendments, are available for viewing at the links below. CalCode, effective July 1, 2007, completely replaced the California Uniform Retail Food Facilities Law (CURFFL). CalCode has been modeled after the Federal Food Code, which provides the best available science for achieving the overall goal of preventing food-borne illness. 

• Food Inspection & Enforcement Policy (Point System)
• California Retail Food Code (CalCode)
  • Food Handler Card Law, Tarjeta de Manejo de Alimentos de California
  • List of Food Safety Trainers
• Menu Labeling Requirements
• NEW - Single-Use Plastic Straws Frequently Asked Questions
• NEW - Children’s Meals Including Beverages Frequently Asked Questions
• NEW- Limited Service Charitable Feeding Operations (LSCFO)
  • LSCFO User Guide Introduction
  • LSCFO Frequently Asked Questions
  • LSCFO Flow Chart
  • LSCFO Survey
  • LSCFO Registration Form
  • LSCFO Best Management Practices (BMPs)
  • LSCFO Checklist
• NEW - Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO)
  • MEHKO CDPH FAQs
• NEW- Catering Operations & Host Facilities
  • Catering Operations
    • Catering Operation Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
    • Catering Operation Health-Permitted Kitchen Form
  • Host Facilities
    • Food Options at Breweries or Wineries
    • Host Facility Requirements
    • Host Facility Guidance & Plan Check
• CDFA Inedible Food Rendering Guide
  • CDFA Inedible Food Rendering Guide 
  • A Guide to Segregating & Recycling Commercial Organic Materials
• FDA Order Pertaining to Partially Hydrogenated Oils (PHOs) Effective June 18, 2018
  •  CDPH Notice
  • Getting the Facts on Trans Fats
• Cottage Food Operation Forms and Information
  • Required Forms: Cottage Food Operation Application and Self-Certification Checklist
  • California Homemade Food Act FAQs (AB 1616), Acta de Comida Casera de California (AB 1616)
  • Cottage Food Law AB 1616
  • California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Information / Approved Food List 
• NEW- Food Allergy Information
  • Food Allergy Awareness
  • Allergies and Symptoms
  • Food Allergens
• NEW - Community Food Production FAQs (AB 1990)
• NEW- Food Donation Information
  • Safe Surplus Food Donation Toolkit Handbook
  • Safe Surplus Food Donation Best Management Practices Handbook
  • Donating Surplus Food Brochure

Sherman Food, Drug and Cosmetic Law

This law assures that any food is properly labeled and not presented in a misleading way.

• Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law Effective January 1, 2018

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.

View the Retail Food Facility Plan Review page and to view and download the related forms and documents

Merced County Food Inspections

View the results of Merced County inspections of food facilities

More Information

• Community Events with Food Available or Mobile Food Facility Information:  Guidelines and Applications
• Please view the Food Committee documents of the California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health
• Dogs in Food Facilities 

Contact

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at (209) 381-1100 or foodprogram@countyofmerced.com.