Food Inspections

Responsibilities


The Environmental Health Program is responsible for inspection, education, enforcement, and investigation of food establishments in Black Hawk County and surrounding areas. The Black Hawk County Health Department/Northeast Iowa Inspections contracts with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) to enforce the 2013 Food Code and Supplement in Black Hawk County and eight other counties in the area providing an average of 2,800 food inspections per year.

Counties


View the Food Borne Disease page to find out which counties are inspected.

Open A New Establishment


Opening a new food establishment checklist:
  1. Submit Plans to the Health Department 30 days prior to construction/remodel.
  2. Adhere to Basic Requirements for Food Service.
  3. Apply for a Food License.

Requirements for Food Service

  1. Basic Requirements - Food Establishment (PDF)
  2. Basic Requirements - Home Bakery Establishment (Non Potentially Hazardous Baked Goods Only) (PDF)
  3. Farmers' Market Regulations (PDF)
  4. Mobile Food Unit Pushcart Regulations (PDF)
  5. Plan Review Document (Must Accompany New or Remodeled Food Establishment Requests) (PDF)
  6. Temporary Food Stand Regulations (PDF)

Applications for Food Service Licenses

  1. Am I Exempt as a Non-profit for a Temporary Event? (PDF)
  2. Annual Temporary Food Event License Application
  3. Application for Restaurant, Grocery, or Mobile Food Unit License (PDF)
  4. Event Coordinator License Application
  5. Farmers' Market Application (Potentially Hazardous Food Sales) (PDF)
  6. Home Bakery Application (Non Potentially Hazardous Baked Goods Only) (PDF)
  7. Temporary Food Stand Application (PDF)
  8. Unattended Food Establishment License Application
  9. Vending Machine Application (PDF)