Food

Foodborne illnesses and improper food production practices have the potential to harm a multitude of people in a relatively short period. Restaurants, markets and other food service establishments can be the source of these illnesses, if they do not operate using proven health-protection practices. St. Charles County Environmental Public Health professionals ensure that these public businesses function in a manner that protects the well-being of their customers.  

The food safety program includes routine and follow-up inspections, investigations into complaints and suspected foodborne illnesses, implementation of food recalls, the operation of multi-lingual food safety classes, plan reviews for new and remodeled facilities, and the issuance of licenses to food facilities. The program also offers basic food safety certification classes to assist food operators and managers in training key staff.

Photo of a male chef adding basil to a plate of pasta.

Monitoring Food Service Providers

The food safety program monitors more than 1,300 licensed food service providers in St. Charles County (except those within the city limits of St. Peters, which regulates its own eateries) to ensure a safe and wholesome food supply for the public. The division issues food service licenses for the calendar year (Jan. 1 through Dec. 31) and for temporary food establishments (those operating for a specific time period). Food facilities include (but are not limited to) restaurants, markets, bakeries, school and hospital cafeterias, nursing homes, liquor stores, correctional institutions, theaters, bars and lounges, farmers' market, food service at fairs and festivals, catering trucks, hot dog carts, ice cream trucks and food vending machines. View the St. Charles County food establishment inspection ratings - Know the Score Database.

To recognize that food service facilities in St. Charles County place a high importance on customer health and safety, the Division of Environmental Health and Protection established its 24 Carrot Gold Food Service Excellence Award program in 2007. While all permitted establishments within the county meet necessary requirements to protect the ones they serve, these awards recognize the many organizations that exceed those standards.