Food Safety

The New York State Department of Health's Bureau of Community Environmental Health and Food Protection works to protect the public health by assuring that food service establishments are operated in a manner that eliminates hazards through design and management, resulting in a decreased incidence of foodborne illness in our communities. The Bureau's Food Protection Program also coordinates foodborne outbreak investigations, analyzes the findings and uses this information to develop regulations and guidance designed to prevent similar outbreaks in the future.

There are over 90,000 food service establishments in New York State. The Food Protection Program provides guidance and assistance to county and city health departments and State District Offices which in turn permit and inspect food service establishments, some institutional food services, temporary and mobile food service establishments and food and beverage vending machines.