Consumer Food Protection
Retail Food Facilities
Ventura County's Consumer Food Protection ensures compliance with food safety standards through inspections, resources, and the VC Safe Diner App.
Mobile Food Facilities
Obtain permits, ensure compliance, get inspected. Find guidelines for all types of mobile food facilities here.
Temporary Food Facilities
Explore guidelines, forms, and resources for operating Temporary Food Facilities at community events.
Cottage Food Operations
Learn about starting a Cottage (Home) Food Operation with resources, eligible foods, and application forms.
Food Safety
Identify top food safety tips: prevent foodborne illness with cleaning, separating, chilling, and cooking basics.
Food Facility Plan Check
Ensure Your Commercial Kitchen Meets California Retail Food Code Requirements
File a complaint
Report foodborne illness or public health concerns in Ventura County.
VC Safe Diner App
Stay informed on Ventura County food facilities with our VC Safe Diner App.
Environmental Health Division (EHD) inspectors in the Food Protection Program conduct annual inspections at more than 5,000 food facilities that sell food to the public in Ventura County. Inspections are conducted at all types of retail food facilities to ensure that they are operating in compliance with the California Retail Food Code. During an inspection, EHD inspectors ensure that the facility is clean, sanitary, and free of sources of contamination; is operating in a manner to prevent contamination of food, utensils & equipment; that the facility meets minimum equipment and construction standards and has adequate food storage facilities. In addition, that operators have obtained the required training.
Online Inspection Results and a listing of Food Facility Closures are available by clicking on the icons below. To learn more about these program features, go to the Compliance Status page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of Environmental Health Division (EHD) inspectors in the Food Protection Program?
EHD inspectors conduct annual inspections at food facilities to ensure they are operating in compliance with the California Retail Food Code. They check for cleanliness, sanitation, and sources of contamination, as well as equipment and construction standards.
How can I access inspection results for retail food facilities?
You can easily access the latest inspection results through various means provided by the Environmental Health Division, such as VC SafeDiner app, online, or by contacting them directly.
What should be submitted prior to construction of new or existing food facilities?
New and existing food facilities are required to submit plans and specifications for review and approval prior to beginning construction.
Who conducts inspections at food facilities?
Inspections are conducted by Registered Environmental Health Specialists (REHS) registered by the California Department of Public Health, who have completed educational requirements and passed the State Registration exam.
What happens when a retail food facility receives a complaint or is suspected of causing foodborne illness?
Food Protection Program staff investigate public complaints related to retail food facilities and any suspected cases of foodborne illness.
Customers of retail food facilities may obtain inspection results easily through the various means provided by the Environmental Health Division. VC SafeDiner is a quick and easy way to view the latest inspection results on your mobile phone. The free app is available for iPhone & Android smartphones.
Food Protection Program staff also investigate public complaints related to retail food facilities and any suspected cases of foodborne illness. If you have a complaint about a retail food facility, click on the link above.
New food facilities are required by State Law to submit plans and specifications to Environmental Health for review and approval prior to beginning construction. Existing facilities must also submit plans for changes and remodeling of the facility prior to construction as well. Go to the Plan Review Requirements page for more information and applications.
The inspectors conducting all inspections are Registered Environmental Health Specialists (REHS) registered by the California Department of Public Health. They must complete the educational requirements set by State Law and, have passed the State Registration exam, and maintain their registration in good standings to enforce the California Health & Safety Code requirements at food facilities and other facility programs in the Environmental Health Division.
Documents and Links
- Guidance For Retail Food Facility Inspections Cover
- Guidance For Retail Food Facility Inspections (Spanish)
- Guidance and Forms for Shared Kitchens (English and Spanish) – PDF
- Guidance for Food Facilities Using Third Party Delivery Services (English & Spanish) – PDF
- Catering Operation Requirements (For permitted caterers operating at a Host Facility)
- Host Facility Requirements
- Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO) Information and State Law
- I Want to Open a Food Facility
- Food Donations – Waste Free VC
- 2022 California Retail Food Code (CalCode)
- Food Facility Closures
- Online Inspection Results
- VC SafeDiner App
- Permitted Food Facility list
- Animals in Food Facilities
- How to Purify Water in An Emergency
- Food Facility Program Fees
- Inspection Placard Example
Supervisors:
West County Office
Ojai, Ventura, Oxnard, Pt. Hueneme
Elizabeth Miller
(805) 654-2477
East County Office
Simi Valley, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo
Ramesh Bassiri
(805) 582-7559
Manager:
Graciela Garcia
(805) 654-2814
