Food Safety

The Detroit Health Department food safety unit licenses and inspects over 1,900 food establishments. The goal of these inspections is to prevent foodborne illness and ensure that safe food is being served to the public.

FOOD SAFETY COMPLAINT AND INQUIRY FORM 
If you believe that food served by a Detroit food establishment caused you or a family member to become ill, was prepared, handled, or stored in unclean conditions, or broke food safety laws in some other way, please click the above link.

Dining with Confidence Restaurant Inspection Placards

Food Establishments PLEASE NOTE: Per Detroit Health Department policy, Food Safety and Environmental Health inspectors should not be offered, nor should they request any form of goods (including beverages (other than water), food, money, etc.) or services in the course of performing their inspection duties at your establishment. It is illegal to offer an inspector any item of value in exchange for favorable inspection report/outcome, and any offer of goods or services will be reported to senior department leadership.


LICENSING
Any person or business that is preparing or serving food to the public needs a State Food Service License. Information on the different types of licenses issued by the Detroit Health Department’s Food Safety Unit.

PLAN REVIEW
If a new facility is being constructed or an existing facility remodeled, an application for plan review must be submitted to the Detroit Health Department and approved before construction can begin. We can accept plan review applications via mail or the Building safety ePLANs site.  BSEED ePLANs

TEMPORARY EVENTS
If you are planning an event (eg. festival, carnival, neighborhood event) that involves preparing or serving food or beverages, a temporary license application must be submitted at least 10 days prior to the event. 

MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS & SPECIAL TRANSITORY FOOD UNITS
Information on food safety, plan review and licensing for mobile businesses including food trucks, ice cream trucks, and hot dog carts.

OPENING OR PURCHASING A NEW RESTAURANT
Information on purchasing an existing food establishment or opening a new food establishment.

FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION
Food safety posters and handouts, links to helpful websites, employee health forms, laws & regulations, cottage food law, and emergency action plans.