EHD Proposes Updates to Food Safety Rules

The Environmental Health Department is proposing changes to food safety rules that would clarify inspection standards, strengthen allergen disclosure requirements and update permitting procedures for local food establishments.

“These updates are about creating a food safety system that works for everyone—one that protects public health while helping local restaurants and food businesses succeed,” said EHD Deputy Director Mark DiMenna. “They help restaurants understand what’s expected and give customers greater confidence in food safety.”

These proposed amendments are intended to clarify expectations for food businesses while supporting safer dining experiences and stronger public health protections.

Key Changes:

• More transparent inspection grades: Specifies grade sticker colors and posting locations, making food safety grades easier for customers to identify. The changes would designate red for closure and orange for unsatisfactory ratings, reversing the current color assignments.
• Clearer food safety grading and corrective actions: Defines how corrections made during an inspection may affect a grade and outlines follow-up requirements for establishments that reopen after closure.
• Clearer food allergen disclosures: Establishments would be required to provide written information identifying major allergens in food, helping customers make more informed dining decisions.
• Updated food handling and temperature requirements: Clarifies temperature monitoring, recordkeeping, and when corrective reheating or cooling may be allowed.
• More flexible pre-opening inspections: Allows inspectors to waive certain pre-opening inspections for qualifying ownership changes, remodeling, or secondary permits when health and safety requirements are met.
• Clearer permit application requirements: Updates required documentation for food establishments, including food protection manager certification and business licensing.
• More consistent fee and penalty procedures: Clarifies payment deadlines, notices, payment plans, and potential consequences for unpaid fees and civil penalties.
• A defined process for future FDA Food Code updates: Establishes public notice and comment periods, along with advance notice of effective dates, for potential adoption of future code editions.
• Updated requirements for mobile food businesses: Clarifies business identification requirements and certain operating standards for mobile food establishments.
• Clarified rules for emerging food business models: Adds definitions and requirements for micro-markets, vending machines, and other permit categories.

“By providing clearer expectations and more consistent processes, we can give businesses the tools to thrive, help residents feel confident in where they eat, and support a stronger, healthier local food community,” said Mayor Keller. “That’s what abundance looks like: making it easier for businesses to grow while ensuring our community has access to safe food and trusted information.”

EHD held a public hearing to receive public comment on October 22, 2026. The department is reviewing public comments and will move into the formal rulemaking and legislative approval stages before the changes can take effect.