Food Service Program

Responsibility for over 500 licensed facilities falls under the jurisdiction of the Department. Routine food service inspection and licensing of food service operations are done to ensure clean and safe environments within our restaurants.

Duties & Services


Work related to this responsibility includes:
  • Education
  • Food sampling and analysis
  • Food service complaints and site visits
  • Investigation of food-borne outbreaks
  • Licensing
  • Plan Reviews
  • Re-inspections
  • Routine Inspections

Inspection Focus Areas


Major areas of focus during inspections include:
  • Cleanliness and sanitation
  • Construction and design
  • Floors, walls and ceilings
  • Food equipment and utensils
  • Food protection/storage/handling
  • Food supplies
  • Garbage and refuse disposal
  • Insect, rodent, animal control
  • Lighting
  • Personnel
  • Plumbing facilities
  • Sewage disposal
  • Toilet and hand-washing facilities
  • Ventilation
  • Water supply
More Information
Information on food service licenses can be obtained from the Department of Environmental Health located on the first floor of the Division of Public Health and Community Services building at 18 Mulberry Street or by calling the Department of Environmental Health at 603-589-4530. Additional resources can be found at the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension website.