Retail Food Program

Overview

The Princeton Health Department conducts routine inspections and complaint investigations at all retail food establishments in Princeton. These inspections are conducted by trained and licensed New Jersey Registered Environmental Health Specialists. Inspectors work to educate retail food workers on best practices for safe food handling and take action as needed to enforce the code when necessary.

Regulated establishments include, but are not limited to:

Bakeries  *  Catering Facilities  *  Delis  *  Schools  *  Restaurants  *  Supermarkets  * Temporary Events  *  Mobile Units 

Reports

Restaurant inspection reports are available upon request from the retail establishment directly, or through the Health Department. 

What Inspectors Evaluate

While on site, inspectors focus on evaluating foodborne illness risk factors and interventions, focusing on regulations set forth in Sanitation in Retail Food Establishments - New Jersey. Risk factors are improper practices identified as the most common factors resulting in foodborne illness, while interventions act as control measures to prevent foodborne infection.

Operating Requirements

If you are interested in opening a retail food establishment in Princeton an application is required. Construction permits, change of owner permits and other licenses may be required based upon your specific situation. 

To assist retailers, both new and existing, resources are provided below for common needs encountered in the process of designing, opening, and operating a retail food establishment.

• Pre-Planning Guidance for those planning to construct a new retail food establishment, or purchase an existing establishment. Change of ownership requires plan review and establishments must be brought into compliance with current regulations. Retail Food Establishment Pre-Planning Guide
• Application for plan review for retail food establishment. Application for Retail Food Establishment Plan Review
• Unisex Restrooms requirements are applicable to all retail establishments, proposed and existing, with single occupancy restrooms. Learn more about this requirement by reviewing the Unisex Single-Occupancy Restroom Facilities ordinance.
• Retail food handlers training is required of all retail food workers. Establishments must have a manager level certified individual to oversee the facilities operations and all workers shall have basic retail food handler training. Retail food establishment manager and worker training opportunities

For more information regarding retail food establishment regulations and proper operation, please contact the Princeton Health Department 609-497-7608 or email healthdepartment@princetonnj.gov.