Food Safety
Lorain County Food Inspection Reports File a Complaint
Lorain County Public Health (LCPH) licenses and inspects over 1,600 restaurants, grocery stores, food trucks, vending machines, and anywhere else that sells you food. LCPH helps prevent diseases spread through food by making sure food is prepared and stored safely.
Food safety training
- Person In Charge/ Level 1 Food Training (online)
- Application for Reciprocity For Manager Certification in Food Protection
Food Licensing and Plan Review
- Plan Review Application for Food Service Operations and Retail Food Establishments
- Plan Review Application for Mobiles
- Plan Review Application for Micro Markets
- Plan Review Guidance Document
- Plan Review Information Sheet for Hand-Drawn Plans
- Food License Fees
- Mobile Diagram - Mobile Food Service / Mobile Retail Food / Food Trucks
- Temporary Food License Application
- Temporary Event Coordinator Responsibilities
Resources for your licensed food establishment
- Wash Your Hands Sign -- in English and Spanish
- Food Safety Flyers
- Allergen Statement Guidance
- Allergen Handout
- Employee Health / Illness Reporting
- Cottage Food Information
- Vomit / Diarrhea Clean-up Guidelines
- Power Outage Guidance
- Flood Guidance
- Water Interruption Guidance
- Sewage Backup Guidance
- Grease / Wastewater Disposal Factsheet
- Choking Poster
Power outages and food safety
Food poisoning is the last thing anyone wants on top of a power outage. Keep these food safety tips in mind during and after a power outage.
- Food in the fridge stays safe up to 4 hours in the fridge.
- Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
- Bacteria grows quickly in the “danger zone” between 40°F and 140°F.
- Food in a freezer that is half full will safely hold frozen foods for at least 24 hours and a full freezer will hold frozen foods for 48 hours.
- When in doubt, throw it out. Get detailed info at: Power Outage Guidance
- Keep track of how long the power has been out. An outage that lasts less than 2 hours has little cause for concern.
Are you in need of food? Call 211 to find a food pantry and other options near you.
When power comes back, be sure to:
- Throw out any perishable foods like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or leftovers that have been in temperatures above 40° F for over 2 hours.
- Throw away any frozen items that have fully thawed. (If the food still contains ice crystals or is 40° F or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook.)
If you have questions, call Lorain County Public Health at 440-322-6367.
Helpful Links
- Ohio Uniform Food Safety Code
- Ohio Uniform Food Safety Code (PDF download)
- Ohio Department of Health Food Safety
- Ohio Department of Agriculture Food Safety
Have a question? Contact the Registered Environmental Health Specialist in your area:
