Holiday Food Safety
Processing Center Hours
The Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA) Processing Center is open to the public:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9 am – 1 pm
Wednesday, 9 am - 3:30 pm (except holidays).
Online Complaint Form
Do you have a complaint about a food establishment?
Please select this link to submit your Complaint about a Food Establishment
or send an email to [email protected]
Online Application Portal
We have launched the Division of Food Safety Portal, which is now open!
Please select this link to submit your Online Application to the Food Division
(DC Health is no longer accepting paper applications.)
The following applications are accepted:
- Mobile Vending Permits
- Cottage Food Business Permits
- Shared Kitchen Use Permits
- Manage inspection and remediation plans for health violations
- Certified Food Protection Manager
- You may also check the status of past applications.
We do recommend using Google Chrome for optimal functionality. You will be required to create an account, complete the application, upload any requested support documentation, and submit payment. Our review team will review your application and respond to you via email. Please note that you will only be required to create an account once (you will use the same account for any business you do with the Division of Food). If you have any questions/or have any issues, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Inspection Request Form
To request an inspection, submit a request via our online Inspection Request Form.
About our Division
The Division of Food (DF) inspects approximately 7,500 food establishments in the District of Columbia. Food establishments include delicatessens, bakeries, grocery stores, retail marine markets, ice cream manufacturers, restaurants, wholesale markets, mobile food vendors, hotels and cottage food businesses. We also work with the Tobacco Control Program to ensure smoke-free food establishments.
Food-borne infections and intoxications affect millions of Americans every year. In addition to the regulation of food establishments, the Food Safety and Hygiene Inspection Services Division offers educational, informational and consultative sessions for community and industry groups. Contact us for more information! E-mail [email protected].
News and Alerts
- FDA Investigation of Cronobacter and Salmonella Complaints: Powdered Infant Formula (February 2022)
- USDA Issues Recall Alert for Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination in Salads
- Health Alerts (for reference only - not currently active)
Resources
- Food Safety for the Holidays
- Guidance Documents
- Food Establishments
- Mobile Food Vending
- Cottage Food Businesses
- Closures and Restorations
- Special Events
- Shared Kitchen / Food Manufacturers
Food Donation Law Guidance
For more information about food and yard waste for businesses, visit zerowaste.dc.gov.
About our Inspection Reports
DC Health does not assign a grade, percentage, or rating for food establishment inspection reports. We perform a pass-fail inspection. The amount of Priority, Priority Foundation and Core violations are tallied at the top of each inspection report. We perform follow up inspections to ensure the violations which were cited on the initial report have been corrected. To view a food establishment’s inspection report, visit "Inspections."
Contact Us
We can help! Contact us at [email protected].
Updated May 2022