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Food Safety
IDPH's Role in Food Safety
Whether you’re preparing food at home for family or friends or enjoying a meal at a restaurant, public health professionals have a role in protecting the food you eat. IDPH protects Illinois residents and visitors through statewide programs and support of local programs to promote food safety and reduce incidence of foodborne illness.
The food industry is responsible for producing safe food. IDPH and local food protection programs are responsible for setting food safety standards, conducting inspections, and monitoring food products. Illinois public health officials monitor the state’s food supply at various steps in the food chain to assure food stays safe.
Food Safety for Consumers
Whether cooking dinner, planning a meal for a special event, or heating up leftovers, there’s steps you can take to ensure the food is safe to eat. Learn more on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Food Safety website: https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/keep-food-safe.html.
It is important that consumers are aware of food recalls because recalled foods may cause injury or illness, especially for people who are pregnant or have weakened immune systems because of age, chronic illness, or medical treatment.
For more information about food recalls, check the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) websites.
Operating a Food Business in Illinois
To learn more about Illinois requirements for different types of food operations, select the appropriate link for your business model. Review the Wholesale Retail Flowchart for help determining your business model.
Contact Us
You can contact IDPH by emailing DPH.Food@illinois.gov or calling the number listed below, or use the form at https://forms.office.com/g/VfEAD3PDAF.
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Environmental Health
Food Protection Program
DPH.Food@illinois.gov
(217) 785-2439