Butte County Environmental Health’s (BCEH) Retail Food Program is responsible for the enforcement of the California Retail Food Code and the implementation of our food facility color-coded placard program. All retail food facilities including restaurants, bars, markets, school cafeterias, mobile food facilities, and temporary food facilities at community events are permitted and inspected regularly by Environmental Health Specialists. BCEH has approximately 1200 retail food facilities and conducts 2000 plus routine health inspections per year. We provide food safety education and conduct complaint investigations.
Food facility inspections are designed to minimize the occurrence of the five most critical risk factors for foodborne illness:
- Food from unsafe sources
- Inadequate cooking temperatures
- Improper holding temperatures
- Contaminated equipment
- Poor employee hygiene
Access the California Department of Public Health Food and Drug Branch website.
Access the California Food Handler Certification Program website.
Access the California Food Manager Accreditation Program website.
Retail Food Facilities & Plan Check
Access documents pertaining to food establishment permitting for restaurants, bars, delis, caterers, grocery stores, and markets.
Retail Food Code
Application for Permit to Operate a Food Facility
Food Plan Check Application
Food Plan Check Resource Guide
Placarding Program & Food Inspections
The Color-Coded Placard Program states that all retail food establishments are required to post a color coded placard indicating the compliance status of the establishment’s most recent routine inspection or re-inspection.
Placard Resource Guide
Placard Posting Requirements
Inspection Guide
Food Inspection Reports
Access the Butte County “How to Get a Green Placard” training video.
For "How to Get A Green Placard" training videos in other languages,
please visit Sacramento County Environmental Management’s website.
Mobile Food Facilities
Mobile Food Facilities
are a valuable resource
for the community, and Environmental Health helps assure that the public is served
fresh and safe food from mobile carts and
vehicles.
Mobile Food Facility Application
Mobile Food Facility Resource Guide
Community Events and Temporary Food Facilities
Community events provide fun and educational activities, giving communities their special character, and stimulating the local economy.
Environmental Health supports these events by helping the organizers and vendors assure that the food served is wholesome and safe.
Community Event Organizer (CEO) Application Packet
Vendor Application Packet
Temporary Food Facility Resource Guide
Cottage Food Operations (CFO)
A CFO is an enterprise at a private home where specific low-risk food products that do not require refrigeration are prepared for packaged sale to consumers.
Frequently Asked Questions: California Homemade Food Act
CFO Quick Reference for Getting Started
CFO Registration/Permit Application
CFO Self-Certification Checklist
List of Approved Cottage Foods
CDPH Cottage Food Operations Program
Food Safety
Access documents pertaining to food handler certifications and trainings, and food safety during power outages.
Food Handler Certification
Food Manager Certification
Food Safety Educational Sites
Food Safety During Power Outages (Retail Facilities)
Food Safety During Power Outages (Private Homes)
Poultry Slaughter Guidelines
Hepatitis A - Disinfection for Food Facilities
Service Animals
Service Animals in Food Facilities Informational Handout
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Website Link
Restricted Food Items
Learn about items that may not be sold or used in Retail Food Facilities.
Partially Hydrogenated Oils