Connecticut State Department of Public Health

The Federal Government has reopened COVIDtests.gov. Every household can order four over-the-counter COVID-19 tests for free. These tests are intended for use throughout the 2024 holiday season to detect currently circulating COVID-19 variants. Please visit COVIDtests.gov for your free test.

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Food Protection Program
 
 
Are you an Itinerant Food Vendor or Local Health Department looking for more details on the Reciprocal Licensing MOU? Click here

 

NEW: Applesauce Recall Fall 2023/Winter 2024 Communications


FDA Food Code

On February 17, 2023 the 2022 FDA Food Code has replaced previous food codes. More information to follow but the FPP encourages the use of the FDA Code and the annexes first as many of the answers are provided there.

Mission Statement

The Food Protection Program's overall mission is to reduce the risk of foodborne disease by ensuring reasonable protection from contaminated food and improving the sanitary condition of food establishments.  This is accomplished by enforcement of regulations, training and education, technical consultation, special investigations and food safety promotion.

The program currently consists of one Program Coordinator, one Epidemiologist 3, two Epidemiologist 2, and one Health Program Assistant 2.

Key Functions

The Food Protection Program is responsible for fulfilling the following key functions and activities:

  • Promulgate new and update existing regulations
  • Provide regulatory interpretations of regulations
  • Train, certify and re-certify local food inspectors
  • Serve as technical advisor to local health officials, industry, other government agencies, media and the public on a wide range of food safety issues including inspections and enforcement
  • Monitor complaints of foodborne illness from the 64 local health jurisdictions and provide guidance on response
  • Investigate and/or assist local health departments in investigating foodborne disease outbreak and ensure that adequate controls are implemented to reduce the risk of additional illness
  • Coordinate with the DPH Epidemiology Program and Laboratory to ensure that timely and adequate environmental investigations are conducted during foodborne outbreaks
  • Develop and provide training to local food inspectors to maintain up to date knowledge of the field
  • Encourage local food inspection programs to conduct inspections based on the CDC risk factors for foodborne disease
  • Develop and provide training to local health departments and the food industry on food defense issues
 
Contact Information
 
CT Department of Public Health
410 Capitol Avenue
PO Box 340308
MS # 11 FDP
Hartford, CT 06134   
 
Tel: (860) 509-7297
Fax: (860)706-5854