Food Safety
Retail Food Program Overview
The Department inspects all retail food facilities—including restaurants, delis, grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, bars, and temporary events (3 days or more)—selling anything from packaged snacks to full meals. Inspection frequency is determined by a facility's risk assessment that is conducted annually.
Core Responsibilities
Safety & Compliance: We ensure facilities prevent contamination, maintain proper hygiene, and adhere to IDPH Retail Food Service Sanitation Code and the FDA Food Code.
Investigations: We respond to public complaints, foodborne illnesses/outbreaks, and emergencies (fires, floods, power outages).
Enforcement: Failure to provide safe food will result in fines, permit suspension, and/or facility closure.
NOTICE: If you are opening a new establishment (change of ownership, new build, remodel), a plan review application and food permit application must be submitted for approval. Once submitted, the Health Department will be in touch when scheduling a site visit. Before opening, a food establishment must have a pre-opening inspection.
Opening a Food Establishment
Food Establishment Inspection Reports
The Calhoun County Health Department conducts routine, unannounced inspections based on risk assessment classifications outlined in the Illinois Food Code. Compliance and follow-up (recheck) inspections are performed as needed. During all visits, staff prioritize educating employees to prevent practices that contribute to foodborne illness.
Yearly Inspection Calendar:
Category I — 3 inspections per year or 2 inspections per year with a HACCP education.
o Category II — 1 inspection per year
o Category III — 1 inspection every other year
Inspection Violations
Reports no longer use a traditional numerical score. Instead, they list the total number of Risk Factor Violations and Repeat Violations across 58 possible categories, which are split into two groups:
Foodborne Illness Risk Factors: High-risk violations directly linked to illness (e.g., improper cooking/holding temperatures, poor employee hygiene).
Good Retail Practices: Lower-risk violations concerning basic operational and sanitation conditions (e.g., leaking faucets, missing light shields).
If an establishment performs poorly, staff will provide targeted education to help prevent repeat violations.
Food Inspection Results
Food Signage
Illinois Cottage Food Operations
Under the amended Illinois Cottage Food Operation Act, individuals can produce a wide variety of foods and drinks in their home kitchens and sell them directly to the public.
Key Requirements
Registration: Operations must register with their local health department before selling any products.
Sales Channels: Products can be sold at farmers' markets, fairs, festivals, online, or directly from the home. Sales must be direct-to-consumer within the state of Illinois (no wholesaling to grocery stores or restaurants).
Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM): The operator must hold a valid CFPM certification.
Forms:
In Illinois, egg sales are strictly regulated by the Illinois Department of Agriculture under the Illinois Egg & Egg Products Act.
Cottage Food Label Requirements
Food Safety Plan for Acidified and Fermented Foods
Food Safety Plan for Acidified and Fermented Foods
Registration & Licensing
The Calhoun County Health Department does not charge a fee for cottage food licenses.
To obtain your annual license, submit the following documents for review and approval:
Completed Registration Form
Home Self-Certification Checklist
Copy of your CFPM
Recipes
Labels
Lab Testing results (if required for the product you are wanting to sell. Ex. Salsa)
Approved licenses are valid for the current calendar year.
More Information
Illinois Egg and Egg Products Act Rules and Regulations
Contact Information
For questions or assistance, please contact the Environmental Health Division at 618-576-2428 ext. 1010.