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Food Sanitation

Overview/General Information

The purpose of the food sanitation program in Boone County is to prevent food borne illness and educate food establishment personnel on proper food preparation and handling techniques. This is accomplished through inspections and enforcement of standards as well as periodic training classes and workshops.

In Boone County, a food permit is required when any business establishment or organization, public or private, provides food prepared or sold at retail, for human consumption whether on or off the premises.

To apply please use our online citizen portal, click here.

Food Recalls & Outbreaks

 




Applications & Permits

Farmers' Market

What is a Farmer's Market permit?

As defined in Chapter 30 Food Safety, of the Boone County Code: a permit issued to Farmers who meet the definition of a farmer and other requirements under the Illinois Food Handling Regulation and Enforcement Act engaging in the sale of food products listed in the statue, including packaged time and temperature controlled frozen meat, poultry, dairy or eggs, frozen foods, or potentially hazardous foods.

What types of permits are available?

There are two types of permits available under the Farmers' Market Permit:

  • Egg Only Permit - This permit is for farmers who wish to only sell eggs at a farmers' market. The permit fee for this is $75.00 annually; January 1 - December 31.
  • Full Farmers' Market Permit - This permit is for farmers who wish to sell any combinations of meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, or frozen foods. The permit fee for this is $175.00 annually; January 1 - December 31. This permit also covers all vendors at the same market who meet the requirements. This does not cover vendors selling for immediate consumption, food or beverage prepared onsite, or sampling.
Below are forms and signage for Farmers' Markets:



Cottage Food

02 Cottage Food Post for Web logo FINAL - Copy

Please apply using our online citizen portal and provide your checklist, label, Point-of-Sale signage, menu, Certified Food Protection Manager license(s), and payment(s). The Boone County registration fee is $50 and due annually.

Below are forms and information for Cottage Food:


To apply please use our online citizen portal, click here.


Wholesale Operations
There has been growing interest from retail food establishments and cottage food operations to move to wholesale. As a result the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) had developed a guidance document aimed at helping small processors. Please see the document Preparing for Wholesale: The Manufactured Food Guide (2023), which also includes a self-inspection checklist.


New or Remodeled Establishment. If you are proposing a newly constructed, an extensively remodeled establishment, or changing ownership, you must fill out the food permit application below and submit plans for review (see also section below entitled "Food Establishment Plan Review"). This includes an extensive menu change, name change, and/or change of location. Fees are dependent upon the type/preparation of food served.

To apply please use our online citizen portal, click here.

Please see our brochure for Information for New, Remodeled, or Change of Ownership for Food Establishments.

Fixed Site Establishment Food Service Permits expire on December 31st. The permits are non-transferable. If any of the information on the permit changes, the permit is not valid and a new permit must be obtained. Fees are dependent upon the type/preparation of food served.

To apply please use our online citizen portal, click here.

Catering Food Service Permits expire on December 31st. The permits are non-transferable. If any of the information on the permit changes, the permit is not valid and a new permit must be obtained. Fees are dependent upon the type/preparation of food served. Following are the criteria for a catering permit:

  1. Catering is preparing food at a licensed facility and/or transporting it to a public event and/or serving to attendees at the event.
  2. Preparation that is done onsite at a public event is not considered catering and instead requires a Temporary Food Service Permit.
  3. Private events do not need a permit (a private event is an event NOT open to the public, i.e. weddings, private banquets). However, offering catering services as a business may require oversight from the Boone County Health Department. Please call for more information.
  4. Catering preparation for a public event must be done in a Boone County permitted facility. If your permitted facility is outside of Boone County, you must instead get a Temporary Food Service Permit and must submit a copy of the most recent food inspection from the Health Department of the county your facility is in.
  5. Catered food served must be the same or lower risk factor as the preparation facility permit.
  6. If food is medium risk or higher, caterer must agree to provide the following:
    1. Notification to BCHD of catered events 48 hours in advance
    2. Qualified personnel to monitor and serve food
    3. Proper equipment to ensure temperature holding
    4. Means of handwashing and other sanitation

To apply please use our online citizen portal, click here.

Temporary food service establishment means a food service establishment that operates in conjunction with a single event or celebration and is valid for 14 consecutive days. A permit must be obtained for each booth/stand. Fees are dependent upon the type/preparation of food served. Call 815-544-2951, Ext. 2 for your permit fee. 

To download a Temporary Food Inspection Self-Checklist, click here.

To apply please use our online citizen portal, click here.

Temporary Food Establishments using a commissary under different ownership must submit a Commissary Sharing Agreement with their food permit application yearly. For Temporary Food Establishments whose commissary is located out of county, comparable documentation will be required with the approval of their respective local Health Department.

To download a Commissary Sharing Agreement, click here.

Mobile food unit means a self-contained, vehicle mounted food service establishment designed to be readily movable. Mobile permits are valid from the date of issue through December 31. A permit must be obtained for each mobile unit. Fees are dependent upon the type/preparation of food served.

To apply please use our online citizen portal, click here.

Mobile Food Units using a commissary under different ownership must submit a Commissary Sharing Agreement with their food permit application yearly. For Mobile Food Units whose commissary is located out of county, comparable documentation will be required with the approval of their respective local Health Department. All Mobile Food Units are required to have a commissary. A commissary is a fundamental part of a mobile food unit’s operations. Requirements may vary depending on the menu, food preparation activities, and design of the mobile food unit. The following are required: handwashing sink, 3 compartment sink, mechanical refrigeration, food and single service item storage, and a mop sink. Additional provisions may be required, based on operations. Approved fresh water and on-site wastewater disposal accommodations must be available and used according to the Illinois Plumbing Code.

To download a Commissary Sharing Agreement, click here.

Please see our brochure for more information regarding requirements for Mobile Food Trucks.

Seasonal Fixed Site Food Service Establishment permits are issued for no more than six consecutive months OR less than five consecutive days and no more than 60 days within the time frame of January 1 to December 31. Fees are dependent upon the type/preparation of food served. Call 815-544-2951, Ext. 2 for your permit fee.

To apply please use our online citizen portal, click here.

Food Establishment Plan Review
New establishments and establishments that are remodeling are required to submit a scale drawing of the establishment and have a review. This review takes approximately 2 weeks and a fee is required for this review. Contact the Environmental Department for more information and for the required fee.


Food Complaints
Be a good consumer advocate! It may be advisable for you to speak to restaurant personnel about some types of complaints. Some complaints are civil matters, not public health concerns, and are not investigated by BCHD. If you are concerned about a possible public health issue at a restaurant in Boone County, you may submit a complaint form.

To submit a food complaint please use our online citizen portal, click here.

Water Boil Order Procedures for Food Establishments
To continue operating under “boil water” orders or interrupted water service from municipal water supplies, all retail food service establishments (restaurants) must secure and use potable water from an approved source (e.g. from tank trucks or bottled potable water) for all water usage. This includes for the following uses:

  1. Coffee, tea, other beverages made in the food establishment
  2. Ice
  3. Washing produce or thawing frozen foods
  4. Employees hand washing
  5. Washing all dishes and cooking utensils
  6. All water used in 3-compartment sinks
  7. All water for sanitizing solutions

It must be noted that equipment plumbed directly into the water system such as direct feed coffee urns, ice machines that manufacture ice on site, and post-mix soda or beverage machines may not be used during the boil order and must be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after the “boil water” order is lifted.

Retail food establishments may consider the following alternative procedures to minimize water usage:

  1. Commercially-packaged ice may be substituted for ice made on-site
  2. Single-service items or disposable utensils may be substituted for reusable dishes and utensils.
  3. Pre-prepared foods from approved sources may be used in place of complex preparations on-site.
  4. Restrict menu choices or hours of operation
  5. Portable toilets/handwash stations may be made available for sanitary purposes

After “boil water” order is lifted or water service resumes, these precautionary measures must be followed:

  1. Run all water lines for one minute to flush contaminated water from system. This includes each fill point for post-mix soda and beverage machines.
  2. Clean and sanitize all fixtures, sinks and equipment connected to water lines
  3. Run your dishwasher empty through three complete cycles to flush the water lines and assure that the dishwasher is cleaned internally before washing equipment and utensils in it.
  4. Discard all ice in ice machines; clean and sanitize (1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of potable water) the interior surfaces; run the ice through 3 cycles; and discard ice with each cycle.
  5. Replace all ice machine filters and beverage dispenser filters and flush all water lines for 10 to 15 minutes.


Frequently Asked Questions

When is a food permit required in Boone County?

A food permit is required any time food…

  • …is offered to the public for consumption.
  • …is given away for free.
  • …is sold.
  • …is served at an event open to the general public, or when tickets for the event are sold to the general public.

An exception to the requirement for a food permit is when an establishment serves only non-potentially hazardous food/beverages, which are not "temperature control for safety" items (i.e. milk, ice cream, eggs, meat, etc.) that are pre-packaged (prepared, packed in individual servings, transported and stored under conditions that meet the requirements of the code).

Does my tax exempt / 501(c)(3) organization need a food permit?
Yes. However, if you provide a copy of your organization's Illinois Department of Revenue E-tax number or 501(c)(3), you will not be charged for your food permit application. You must still apply for a food permit from the Health Department.

Can I prepare food in my home and give it away or sell it?
Most of the time the answer is “NO.” However there are a few exceptions. Please call the Health Department.

When is a food permit not required in Boone County?
A food permit is not required when food is distributed to a select group of individuals, such as members of an organization or at a private party (invitation only, not advertised for the public to attend)

How soon before a temporary event do I need to obtain a food permit?
Five business days prior to the event. Please note that the Health Department Offices are not open for business during the weekend.

What happens if I don’t get a permit in time before an event?
Failure to submit an application and fee at least five business days prior to the event may result in a late fee or denial of permit request.

How or where do I get food certification, food handler training, or allergen training?

Any training online that is ANSI approved.  Some places that offer classes are:

In Person CFPM Training:


Online CFPM Training: 


Food Handler Training: 


Allergen Training:


How long are food permits good for?

  • Temporary Permit – 14 consecutive days at one location
  • Mobile Permit– from date of issuance through December 31
  • Seasonal Permit– no more than six consecutive months OR less than five consecutive days and no more than 60 days within the time frame of January 1 to December 31
  • Annual Permit – January 1 (or date of issuance) through December 31 at a fixed-site establishment
  • Cottage Food Permit - January 1 (or date of issuance) through December 31
  • Farmers Market Permit - January 1 (or date of issuance) through December 31