The Monroe County Health Department Environmental Health Division routinely inspects licensed food service establishments in Monroe County. The purpose for these inspections are to minimize the risk of food borne illness outbreaks and to work together with the owners of restaurants to ensure that safe food handling practices are being followed by the establishments. During a routine inspection of a food service establishment, the sanitarian assesses compliance with the Michigan Food Law of 2000, as amended and the FDA Food Code of 2005. This assessment is done by observing food handling practices, as well as features of the establishment. Verification of proper hand washing, proper glove and utensil use, proper cold and hot holding temperatures, proper cooking temperatures, proper rapid cooling procedures and temperatures, proper managerial knowledge, and general assessment of the establishment are just the beginning of what we do on a daily basis. Together, with management of food service establishments, we identify potential issues in the food trail that may cause food borne illness and correct those issues through education and training.
Any establishment that serves food to the general public must be licensed pursuant to the Michigan Food Law of 2000, as amended. This includes, but is not limited to: restaurants, churches, temporary events, seasonal establishments, vending machines (offering potentially hazardous food), concession stands, special transitory food units, and private facilities. Food that is offered for sale, for donation, or for free, to the public requires strict adherence to the Michigan Food Law of 2000, as amended, and the FDA Food Code of 2005. Currently there are over 800 licensed food service establishments in Monroe County. Over 95% of the restaurants in Monroe County have a certified food manager in place.
General Public
Report a food borne illness
Food Safety at Home
Food Inspection
All food service establishments that service the public in Monroe County are required to be licensed pursuant to Michigan Food Law of 2000, as amended. This includes, but is not limited to; full time, temporary, seasonal, concessions and private facilities that offer food service as a part of their business practices.
Also see:
Bake Sales/Potlucks
Food Borne Illness
Temporary Food
Questions from the public:
1. How do I find out information on a particular facility?
The Environmental Health Division (EHD) does not routinely supply inspection records to the public. However as a public institution this information is available through the legal provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. The FOIA Form is available on-line. You must be very specific as to the information requested. There is a fee for copying and faxing the information. You are best served by filling out the form on-line, printing and calling (734) 240-7900, to find more information in regard to your inquiry. You may then mail in payment along with completed FOIA form to receive your records, or visit the EHD office.
2. My club/group is having a food serviced gathering open to the public, how do I get a temporary food license?
Start by printing out the Application for Temporary Food Services from the State of Michigan website. Call EHD for payment and return to Environmental Health Div. 2353 South Custer Rd., Monroe MI 48161.
Questions from the Food Service Industry:
1. How do I apply for a food service license and how much does it cost?
Refer to the Michigan Department of Agriculture website. A Temporary Food Service Establishment License application is available at Michigan Department of Agriculture. For the most current fees please refer to the fee schedule.
2. Do I need a plan review?
Once your fees are settled, you may begin your plan review packet that must be filled out, entirely!! The Food Establishment pdfs may be filled out on-line, printed and mailed to the EHD or brought in to the EHD office. For newly constructed restaurants it is imperative that all the information is filled in and any changes in existing restaurants must be noted in the change of ownership inspection. Please call the EHD to set up an appointment for change of ownership inspection.
To obtain a copy of the Food Establishment Plan Review, Food Establishment Plan Review Submittal Instructions, and Food Establishment Plan Review Worksheet click on the link to the Michigan Department of Agriculture.
Special transitory food unit plan review informaton may be found at Michigan Department of Agriculture
How do I receive a copy of the new Food Law?
Available through the MDA Website is the P.A. 92 of 2000 Michigan Food Law
The Pocket Guide to Food Safety - 25 tips you need to know may be found at the
Easter Mass Food Safety website