Food Program
Food Program
IMPORTANT UPDATES:
All existing and new food facilities applying for a health permit may be required to comply with San Mateo County’s Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance. For more information and free technical assistance, visit smcsustainability.org/waste-reduction/foodware.
As of January 2022, state law (SB 1383) requires large food generating entities to hold a contract or written agreement with a food recovery organization for the recovery of their surplus food for redistribution to those in need in the community. For more information, visit smcsustainability.org/ediblefoodrecovery.
Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO)
As of January 1, 2019, AB 626, known as the Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations Act, became law. This law authorizes San Mateo County to permit home kitchens for retail use.
- MEHKO Guidelines
- MEHKO Frequently Asked Questions
- MEHKO Flyer
- MEHKO Volantes
- Flyer ng MEHKO
- MEHKO Guia
- MEHKO Mga Patnubay
- MEHKO 傳單
- MEHKO 指南
- MEHKO Preguntas Frecuentes
- MEHKO Mga Madalas Itanong
- MEHKO 常見問題解答
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Form
- Procedimientos de Operacion Estandár (SOP)
- Internet Food Service Intermediary Contact List
- Español
- English
- MEHKO Permit Application Example
- 微型企業家庭廚房營運 (MEHKO) 標準作業程序 (SOPs)
- MEHKO Outreach Presentation
- MEHKO Presentación
- MEHKO 推介會
- MEHKO Pagtatanghal
- 中文
- Read more
Certified Farmers’ Markets
A Certified Farmers’ Market (CFM) allows certified producers to sell their agriculture products directly to consumers. A CFM may only be operated by one or more certified producers, by a nonprofit organization, or by a local government agency. Both the market and the certified producers must be certified by the State of California through the County Agricultural Commissioner. There are currently 19 CFMs that operate in the County of San Mateo and each market is permitted and inspected by San Mateo County Environmental Health Services.
Cottage Food Operations
Effective January 1, 2013, the Cottage Food Law allows the production of certain low-risk foods in home kitchens to be sold directly and/or indirectly to the public.
Cottage Food Operators may:
Food Facility Plan Check Process
The Food Facility Plan Check program reviews plans for all new and remodeled facilities to ensure they support public health and safety, and comply with local and state health codes. Plans must be received and approved before any construction or remodeling takes place.
- Plan Review Process
- Comprehensive Guidelines for Food Facilities Construction and Plan Review
- Plan Review Checklist
- Hood System Plan Review Requirements
- Water Heater Guidelines
- Approved Floor Finishes
- Mobile Food Plan Check Requirements
- Ventilation Systems
- Food Program Plan Check Electronic File Submittal Requirements
- Plan Review FAQs
- Plan Review Guidelines (short version)
- Read more
Laws & Regulations
Disposable
Food Service Ware Ordinance
Edible
Food Recovery (SB 1383)
California Retail Food Code
Sherman Food, Drug and Cosmetic Law
Trans Fat Ban Law Letter to Food Service Operators
Bed & Breakfast Food Facility Guidelines
Food Facility Self Inspection Checklist
Lista de verificación para autoinspección de establecimientos de comida
食品設施自查清單
Mobile Food Facilities
NEW! Microfood Business Grant Program | Español | 中文 | Tagalog
San Mateo County Environmental Health Services is responsible for the inspection of various types of Mobile Food Facilities (MFF):
- Mobile Food Preparation Units (MFPU)
- Hot dog/espresso carts
- Limited food vehicles
- Push carts
- Food trucks
- Ice cream trucks
- Mobile Food Facility Permit Application (English/Ingles)
- Solicitud de Permiso de Instalacion Ambulante de Alimentos (Espanol/Spanish)
- California Health and Safety Code - Mobile Food
- Certification of Non-Operational Food Facility
- Mobile Food Facility - Frequently Asked Questions
- Mobile Food Facility Checklist - English
- Mobile Food Facility Checklist - Spanish
- Commissary Resource List
- Mobile Food Facilities 2018 Placarding Implementation
- Implementacion de Carteles Calificativos en Negocios de Venta de Comida Ambulante 2018
- Read more
Temporary Events
Updated 3/14/23
- Temporary Event Guidelines
- Coordinator Application
- Vendor (Food/Bev Booth) Application
- Temporary Event Food Safety Quiz
- Chapter 11 - Temporary Food Facilities
- Chapter 10.5 - Nonprofit Charitable Temporary Food Facilities
- Warm Water and Hand Wash Station Requirements
- Temporary Event Permit Calculation Sheet
- Read more
Unpermitted Food Vendors
Environmental Health Services’ (EHS) Food Program inspects food establishments to ensure laws and regulations are upheld to ensure food is prepared safely.
Unpermitted food vendors are not regulated or inspected by
EHS.
Eating food from unpermitted food vendors increases your
chances of getting sick.
Why is it DANGEROUS to eat food from an unpermitted food vendor?