The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees is requesting public comment on the proposed food regulations. These regulations establish retail food licensing in Dent County. The fees generated will support inspections conducted under the Missouri Food Code. It will also support our efforts in transparency for the public.
View the full regulations and submit comment here
Frequently Asked Questions
How is DCHC’s regulation different from Missouri?
We enforce the State’s food code in a partnership with them. We do all of the inspections and violations get reported to the State. The local regulation enables us to issue licenses and fines for non-compliance. It’s otherwise not different from the state regulation or how things are currently being done.
Establishments that are in good standing will receive a placard that shows you have been inspected and you receive a GOOD or OKAY rating. We hope to see everyone get a GOOD rating.
Why are we starting a local food regulation now?
Our mission is to improve and protect the health of Dent County residents. These regulations will help us provide clearer expectations for food establishments, communicate more clearly with the public about our findings, and provide more education.
We sometimes have issues when food establishments do not comply with the Missouri Food Code. This regulation will give us the ability to enforce the code through the license and fees.
What happens if I don’t comply with this regulation?
The same thing that happens now. If critical findings are not corrected, or if your license fee is not paid in a timely manner, you will be issued a close order if you do not voluntarily close. Official close orders are a public record, voluntary closings are not. Noncompliance with close orders will be enforced by a judge with fines or contempt of court. The Department of Health and Senior Services may also take enforcement action against a non-compliant establishment.
Significant Public Facing Changes in these regulations
- Food Establishments will be issued a sign/placard indicating they have been inspected by the Dent County Health Center
- The Placards will indicate if the establishment has achieved a GOOD or OKAY rating.
- New software will improve access to Food Establishment inspection records.
- Food establishments will be required to comply with the Missouri Indoor Clean Air Law
Significant Changes for Proprietors in the proposed regulations
- Food Handler certification will be required. DCHC will assist in obtaining if necessary.
- Food establishments will need to obtain a license to operate. The cost of the license is related to the number of inspections per year that need to be conducted.
- High Priority – Inspected yearly – License fee: $150 per year
- Medium Priority – Inspected every 18 months – License fee: $100 per year
- Low Priority – Inspected every 2 years – License fee: $75 per year
- The license fee includes the 1 inspection and 1 reinspection. If addition inspections are needed to obtain compliance, they well be charged at $150 each.
- Food establishments may not operate without a valid license.
I would recommend that instead of being a good/okay placard that it be excellent/good/fair/violation placards or color coded otherwise I think it’s about time they get fined although as light as the fine is.