Food safety regulations protect and improve the health of Idaho citizens and visitors by assuring foods are safe and free of harmful levels of disease and environmental contamination. We accomplish this through education, enforcement of food safety standards and codes, and cooperation with local health departments and food industry.
Food Protection Program
The Food Protection Program establishes the standards, interpretations and guidelines for uniform regulation of food safety for food establishments.
Our goal is to assure that food from regulated facilities is safe to eat. For questions related to the rules found in the Idaho Food Code, please call 208-334-5938 or email us at foodprotection@dhw.idaho.gov.
Our business hours are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The responsibility for licensing, inspecting and enforcement of regulations is delegated to the state’s seven health districts. For specific information about food establishment permits, contact your local health district. A complete listing of health districts (by county) may be found at the bottom of this page.
In food establishments, at least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility and the authority to direct and control food preparation must be present at all times. This could be a supervisor (local or regional) or a Person in Charge/shift lead that is a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM). Additionally, all food establishment employees have the responsibility for preparing and serving safe food under the supervision of a CFPM.
We offer two different exams. The first exam is a free resource for food service employees to earn a certificate that is sometimes referred to as an Idaho food handler's card.
The second exam is a provision for Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) operators. Individuals that have a limited menu and are seeking approval and licensure with their local health district may take this exam to meet the Certified Food Program Manager requirement for their TFE.