Food Program

We protect public health by permitting and inspecting establishments such as restaurants, school cafeterias, hospital cafeterias, and temporary event vendors (booths at public fairs).

We help to ensure that food is prepared and maintained safely to prevent foodborne illnesses (salmonella, etc).

We investigate reports of foodborne illness, provide education about safe food handling practices and work with eating establishments to correct deficiencies.

•  Requirements For Operating A Food Establishment
•  Requirements For Operating A Temporary Food Service Establishment (Food booth)
•  Mobile Food Establishment Guidelines
•  Review Your Favorite Food Establishment’s Inspection Reports
•  Virginia Food Regulations

Reporting a Foodborne Illness

Information you need to provide:

• Your name, address, and daytime telephone number (illnesses can also be reported anonymously)
• A list of symptoms. What day and time did they start?
• Have the symptoms gone away? If yes, when?
• Do you know anyone else who had similar symptoms? Did you eat or drink anything at an event or food establishment together? If possible, supply the names and phone numbers of others who became ill
• If you believe you became ill from eating at a particular place or event, we will need the name of the establishment  or event and a list of everything you ate.
• If two or more unrelated people became ill, we may need to know where they ate and what they ate for the last three days.

To report a food-borne illness during weekend hours, contact  the Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department at (434) 972- 6200 option 3 and leave a voicemail message for the Environmental Health Specialist on call.