× The federal government has shut down due to the failures of the President and Congress to continue government funding. Millions of Californians receiving benefits from state programs may be impacted. For now, California’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will continue to provide services and enroll eligible families as long as funding is available. No new federal funding to California WIC will be provided until the President and Congress take action. Families should continue to use their WIC benefits and attend their WIC appointments. This information is subject to change, so please monitor the California WIC website for updates.

Please be wary of potential highly partisan political messaging while visiting federal government websites for information related to the federal government shutdown.

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Food and Drug Branch (FDB)

FDB Home Page

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Contact

Main Telephone:

(800) 495-3232

 

Email:

FDBRetail@cdph.ca.gov

 

Address (Courier Delivery):

California Department of Public Health - Food and Drug Branch

1500 Capitol Ave, MS 7602

Sacramento, CA 95814

 

Address (Non-Courier Delivery):

California Department of Public Health - Food and Drug Branch

P.O. Box 997435, MS 7602

Sacramento, CA 95899

Retail Food Program​

Retail food safety is a primary concern for all Californians. Everyone buys groceries, eats at restaurants, and enjoys the diversity of cuisine and innovation that is an integral part of California culture.

The portion of the California Health and Safety Code known as the California Retail Food Code contains the structural, equipment, and operational requirements for all California retail food facilities. Provisions of the California Retail Food Code are primarily enforced by 62 local environmental health regulatory agencies. The California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch, plays a supporting role in the enforcement of the California Retail Food Code by providing technical expertise to evaluate processes and procedures and to answer technical and legal inquires for local agencies, industry and consumers.

Additional food safety information may be obtained on FDB's Food Safety Program page.

FDB Retail Food Program is in the process of migrating to a new email address. Please submit all retail food questions and issues to FDBRetail@cdph.ca.gov.

News and Updates

Certificates and Licenses

Retail Food Program Service Request Application: CDPH 8601 (PDF)

Oxidus Ozone Generator Variance Application: CDPH 9601 (PDF)

Fact Sheets

Controlling Food Allergens (PDF)

Cottage Food Operations and Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations FAQs (PDF)

FDA Advises Consumers to Avoid Eating, Drinking, or Handling Food Products Prepared with Liquid Nitrogen at the Point of Sale

Food Donations (PDF)

Food Safety During a Power Outage - For Retailers (PDF)

Foodborne Pathogens and Illnesses (PDF)

Guidelines for the Safe Use of Reusable Grocery Bags (PDF)

Healthy By Deafult Childrens Meals Beverage Law (PDF)

Latex Ban at Retail Food Facilities (PDF)

Notice on FDA Order Pertaining to Partially Hydrogenated Oils (PHOs) (PDF)

Single Use Plastic Straw Ban at Full Service Restaurants (PDF)

Water Safety During Power Outage - For Retailers (PDF)

Guidelines

A Guide to Segregating & Recycling Packinghouse Waste from Retail Stores (PDF)

California Menu Labeling Guidelines - CA Retail Food Safety Coalition - CRFSC

CCDEH Guidelines for Limited Service Charitable Feeding Sites

General Food Label Requirements (PDF) 

HACCP at Retail (PDF)

Illness Reporting Requirements for Foodworkers and Persons-In-Charge (PDF)

Labeling Guide for Restaurants and Retail Establishments - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (PDF)

Produce Safety

Regulations and Statutes

California Retail Food Code

CHFA - Cottage Food Act

Resources

Bad Bug Book - Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms (PDF)

California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health

CDFA - Milk and Dairy

CDC - EHS - Network

CIFOR FBI Repsonse Guidelines for Industry 

CIFOR FBI Response Guidelines for Regulatory 

Cottage Food Operations

FDB Processed Food Registration Program

FDB Seafood and Shellfish Safety Program

Local Environmental Health Contacts (PDF)

Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations

USDA Food Safety Inspection Services (FSIS) Food Safety Education

U.S. FDA - Industry Guidance on Food Security: Retail Food Stores and Food Service Establishments

U.S. FDA - Food Code

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