Restaurant Information

• Who do I call if I got sick at a restaurant?
• I want to report unsafe or unsanitary conditions in a restaurant, caterer, or mobile food unit.
• I want to report unsafe or unsanitary conditions in a grocery store, convenience store, bakery, or food processor.
• I want to report unsafe or unsanitary conditions in a school, assisted living facility, correctional facility, civic and fraternal organization, bar not serving food, or movie theatre.
• I want to report unsafe or unsanitary conditions in a childcare facility.
• I want to report unsafe or unsanitary conditions in a hospital or nursing home.
• I have a food product complaint that does pertain to Meat, Poultry or Egg Products.
• I have a food product complaint that does not pertain to Meat, Poultry or Egg Products.
• I want to open a restaurant, what must I do?

1. Who do I call if I got sick at a restaurant?

This depends on the number of individuals that became ill. Although the Department of Health is no longer the permitting and inspecting agency of free standing restaurants, our department would conduct a HACCP investigation along with The Department of Business and Professional Regulation when these scenarios occur:

• Always when one or more individuals were confirmed from a doctor that the illness was food related.
• Two or more unrelated cases of foodborne illness.
• Three or more related cases, such as members of the same family.

Report a food or waterborne illness. 

If one individual becomes ill, and the foodborne illness was not confirmed, then the Department of Business and Professional Regulation should be notified at 850-487-1395

2. I want to report unsafe or unsanitary conditions in a restaurant, caterer, or mobile food unit.

Phone the Department of Business and Professional Regulation at 850-487-1395 or report the condition online.

3. I want to report unsafe or unsanitary conditions in a grocery store, convenience store, bakery, or food processor.

Phone the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 850-245-5520 or 1-800-435-7352.

4. I want to report unsafe or unsanitary conditions in a school, assisted living facility, correctional facility, civic and fraternal organization, bar not serving food, or movie theatre.

Contact the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County Health Department at 386-274-0692.

5. I want to report unsafe or unsanitary conditions in a childcare facility.

Contact the child care licensing office in your area as the Florida Department of Health no longer inspects these facilities. Contact the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96ABUSE (800-962-2873)if you suspect abuse or neglect.

6. I want to report unsafe or unsanitary conditions in a hospital or nursing home.

Phone the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration at 888-419-3456. Press Option Number 1 or contact the local field office in your area. Find your area office by selecting your county on their website.

7. I have a food product complaint that does pertain to Meat, Poultry or Egg Products.

Phone the United States Department of Agriculture meat and poultry hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854). For details, see Problems with Food Products (USDA).

8. I have a food product complaint that does not pertain to Meat, Poultry or Egg Products.

Phone the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) main emergency number at 301-443-1240 or phone the Consumer Complaint Coordinator for your state or area. For details see the FDA's Questions and Answers: Problem Reporting.

9. I want to open a restaurant, what must I do?

Contact The Department of Business and Professional Regulation at 850-487-1395