About...

The Food Safety Program inspects all licensed food facilities, and if needed, enforcement measures are taken to ensure the safety of the food being sold.  When critical violations are found during regular inspections or complaint investigations, enforcement actions may be necessary.  Below is information concerning the types of enforcement actions that can be taken by Columbus Public Health.

Program Services

Enforcement Actions

If a restaurant is found to be noncompliant for a critical violation during a routine inspection, enforcement actions are likely to be taken.  The severity of the specific violation is determined and one of the following actions may occur.

Follow-up Inspection:  Conducted if critical violations are present and not corrected or are corrected but the establishment is noted as a repeat violator.  Violations that warrant this are not an immediate danger to public health.

Pre-Hearing Conference:  Held when a repeated critical violation or multiple critical violations occur and enforcement procedures must be used to gain compliance.  This conference is a meeting between an establishment owner, or a designate representative of the establishment, and the Health Department for the purpose of explaining the severity of observed violations, the need for correction, education about the violations, and the consequences of allowing it to continue.

Formal Hearing:  A hearing officer hears and reviews the case and makes recommendations to the Board of Health for a future Board Hearing.

Order to Cease and Desist:  Food service establishment is closed due to violations that are a imminent health danger and cannot be remedied at time of inspection. Before the revocation, an opportunity for a pre-hearing conference must be given to the restaurant operator.  This action would also be taken on an illegal operation and a business who is operating without a proper license.

Enforcement Penalties

Along with the above enforcement actions, a business may have their food license limited or taken for a period of time if the violations are found to be hazardous to the health of the public.  Below are the penalties that a business may face if a critical violation is found:

Restriction:  Restrictions can be placed on the menu or hours of the business, limiting the activity of the facility.

Probation:  The business is placed under “special alert” by the Health Department and is inspected frequently and monitored often during a six month period.  This occurs whenever a case is seen by the Board of Health.

Suspension:  The business’ license is removed until violations are eliminated.  Typically education for the business’ employees is conducted during this time.

Revocation:  The business is closed by the Health Department due to repeated critical violations.

Who Is The Program For?

The Food Safety Program provides its services to all people who live or work in the City of Columbus and Worthington.

How To Use The Program

If you are interested in using any of the Food Safety Program services please link to the sites available on our web site or contact the Food Safety Program at 645-7538.

Cost

No cost.

Location

The Food Safety Program is located at Columbus Public Health.

Hours

The Food Safety Program office hours are Monday through Friday from 7:45 am to 4:45 pm.

Resources and Links

Current Food Safety Enforcement Activities

For Food Industry and Local Public Health Agencies (LPHA):

Food Violation Text  (in relation to Ohio Revised Code, Ohio Administrative Code, and Columbus City Health Code)

Contact Us

Call the Food Safety Program of the Environmental Health Division at 614-645-7538 or e-mail Columbus Public Health at health@columbus.gov.