Food Safety

food truck

 


Food safety is a topic that touches everyone. It begins with good agricultural practices by the farmer and ends with the consumer's safe and sanitary preparation and service of the food. Since there are so many areas of food safety interest the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has structured this site in a manner to provide food safety information to multiple audiences.

Safe food handling practices, including proper hygiene, food preparation and food storage prevent food-borne illnesses. Food not properly cooked or stored can transmit disease from person to person as well as allow bacteria to grow, which can cause food poisoning.

Frozen Dessert

Missouri has more than 2,000 establishments that manufacture, sell or serve frozen dessert products throughout the state. Each establishment is inspected and required to obtain a state-issued frozen dessert license annually.

Ensuring the safety of food is a combined effort provided by the state health department and local health departments. More than 30,000 food service establishments and food processing facilities throughout Missouri are inspected annually. Complaints concerning food safety are investigated on a local level and should be made to your local health department.

Food Safety Complaint Form

Use this form to ask any questions or lodge a complaint about food safety.