Food Establishments
In Florida, three agencies share responsibilities for ensuring that only safe, and wholesome food is provided to the public. Those agencies are the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS 
), the Department of Business and
Professional Regulations(DBPR ), and the Department of Health.
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services conducts inspection and testing programs for the more than 30,000 retail food stores, food processing plants, food storage and distribution points, and other locations in Florida where food is sold to the public.
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation regulates and inspects public food service facilities - primarily restaurants. DBPR maintains the listing of restaurant disciplinary activitieson their web site.
The Department of Health is responsible for regulating and inspecting food service establishments that include:
- Institutions
- Child care facilities
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Civic or fraternal organizations
- Bars and lounges
- Theaters that serve traditional theater foods, e.g. soft drinks, popcorn, hot dogs.
The Department of Health also regulates temporary food events, mobile food units and vending machines that operate at or through any of these facilities. The Hendry County Health Department inspect and issue food certificates to these facilities. Depending on the type of population serviced and they type of food served, these facilities are inspected either twice or four times per year. Unless exempted, these food operation are required to comply with food manager certification requirements.
How safe is your kitchen?
Can Your Kitchen Pass the Food Safety Test?
