Food Program
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
Applications may be submitted by emailing the Environmental Health Division.
Access documents pertaining to food establishment permitting for restaurants, bars, delis, caterers, grocery stores, and markets.
- California Retail Food Code (PDF)
- Application for Permit to Operate a Food Facility (PDF)
- Food Plan Check Application (PDF)
- Food Plan Check Resource Guide (PDF)
- Floor Materials For Retail Food Facilities (PDF)
- Food Plan Check Flowchart (PDF)
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.
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.
Community Events & 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 (PDF)
- Vendor Application Packet (PDF)
- Temporary Food Facility Resource Guide (PDF)
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 (PDF)
- CFO Quick Reference for Getting Started (PDF)
- CFO Registration / Permit Application (PDF)
- CFO Self-Certification Checklist (PDF)
- List of Approved Cottage Foods (PDF)
- CFO Labeling Requirements (PDF)
- CA Department of Public Health Cottage Food Operations Program
Catering Operations
A catering operation is an enterprise that prepares food from an approved commissary kitchen in order to be served at private events.
Food Safety
Access documents pertaining to food handler certifications and training, and food safety during power outages.
- Food Handler Certification (PDF)
- Food Manager Certification (PDF)
- Food Safety Educational Sites (PDF)
- Food Safety During Power Outages (Retail Facilities) (PDF)
- Food Safety During Power Outages (Private Homes) (PDF)
- Poultry Slaughter Guidelines (PDF)
- Hepatitis A - Disinfection for Food Facilities (PDF)
Service Animals
- Service Animals in Food Facilities Informational Handout (PDF)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) website
Restricted Food Items
Learn about items that may not be sold or used in Retail Food Facilities.