The Food Sanitation program protects the consumer by enforcing standards for the proper handling of food

equipment, as well as raw and cooked food products at retail food stores and food service establishments. Proper handling, storage , and serving of food products prevents contamination by infectious agents or adulteration by toxic materials.

Following state guidelines, the Environmental Health staff issues Food Service Permits annually to all Vermilion County food establishments which meet or exceed standards. Temporary permits are issued to orgnaization, associations and private vendors in Vermilion County that meet or exceed standards.VCHD issued 814 permits in 2004.

To print a copy of the current Food Service Application CLICK HERE
To print a copy of the Temporary Permit Application CLICK HERE

To print guidelines on safely handling and preparing food at a Temporary Food site, CLICK HERE

To Print a copy of the Vermilion County Health Department's Guideline for operating a food service establishment during a boil order or interuption of water service click on the respective link below.

Guidelines for Retail Food Stores and Food Service Establishments Under a Boil Order

Guidelines for Food Service Establishments During an Interruption of Water Supply

Following inspection, sanitarians provide food management with information on ways to provide a higher quality product for consumers. According to state standards, and based on an establishment's menu, clientele, and methods used to prepare, serve and store food, there are 3 classifications of risk factor that relate to the potential for food borne illness outbreak:

Category 1 - a restaurant that prepares food from scratch

Category 2 - fast food

Category 3 - grocery store or tavern

HAACP RISK FACTORS determine the number of times each year an establishment is inspected, and the number of Ceritified Food Service Sanitation Managers required to be on staff. The Vermilion County Health Department Sanitarians may visit or inspect anytime there are concerns voiced by the public, or when the Department receives reports of a potential food borne illness outbreak. Link to the U. S. Food & Drug Administration for more information on serving and preparing safe foods

Since 01-01-03, all restaurants in Vermilion County are required to post their Inspection Scores, along with their food service permits, under Vermilion County Board ordinance. Scoring will be done on a 100-point basis: 90 to 100, rates an 'A'; 80-89 rates a 'B'; 70-79 rates a 'C'; any score lower than 70 will mandate closure until cited violations are corrected.

For more information about food sanitation, please call 431-2662, or contact the Environmental Health Director Douglas Toole, dtoole@vchd.org .

last updated 2/54/2011