Retail Food

The Retail Food Program is responsible for regulating the operation of over 6,900 retail food facilities in Fresno County. Food Program activities include the permitting and inspection of retail food businesses such as:

• Restaurants
• Markets
• School cafeterias
• Bakeries
• Bars
• Mobile food vendors
• Cottage food operations
• Community event food vendors

We also review of construction plans and inspections of new and remodeled food facilities; the investigation of complaints regarding violations of the California Retail Food Code including unsanitary conditions; and the investigation of suspected food borne illnesses.

The type of retail food operation determines the frequency of routine inspections. Routine inspection frequencies vary from one to four times per year and do not account for other inspections that may be conducted in response to a consumer complaint, alleged illness investigation or a re-inspection of a facility due to critical violations documented during a routine inspection.

Water Systems

Public water systems serving 15 or more connections and more than 25 persons are regulated by the California Department of Public Health, Division of Drinking Water. The Fresno office for the Division of Drinking Water can be reached at (559) 447-3300, 265 W Bullard Suite #101, Fresno CA 93704.

Water systems serving between 5 to 14 connections and less than 25 persons are considered state small public water systems and are regulated by the Environmental Health Division.

All water systems must sample for certain water quality contaminants at varying frequencies and submit the results to the regulating agency for review. Whenever potential problems are detected, water program specialists ensure that the system takes corrective action to resolve the problems and notifies the public of any health risks.

Hazardous Materials

Environmental Health serves as the local "Certified Unified Program Agency" (CUPA) for Fresno County. Many of our local businesses store hazardous materials and /or generate hazardous waste as a necessary part of operations. Our office is tasked with implementing and enforcing a selection of local, state and federal laws, and regulations designed to protect public health and our environment.

The CUPA Program permits and inspects businesses that fall into the programs below:

• Hazardous Materials Handler Business Plan Program
• Hazardous Waste Generators and Onsite Hazardous Waste Treatment Programs
• California Accidental Release Prevention Program
• Underground Storage Tank Program
• Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act Program

Our inspectors visit the businesses in the categories above to identify specific hazards, provide education, and steer businesses toward compliance. We also investigate complaints regarding alleged violations by businesses or the public. Our goal is to protect the health and safety of our surrounding community by promoting the safe handling and storage of hazardous materials and/or waste.

Body Art Program

The Body Art Program permits and inspects Body Art Facilities and Body Art Practitioners (tattooers, piercers, and permanent make-up artists) throughout Fresno County. Inspectors verify compliance with registration and training requirements, approved equipment, safe operating procedures including handwashing and decontamination, and record keeping. The program also responds to complaints about Body Art Facilities and Practitioners and works with law enforcement partners regarding unpermitted operations.

Waste

The Solid Waste, Liquid Waste, and Waste Tire Programs are responsible for assuring the proper storage and disposal of solid wastes, liquid wastes, and waste tires while minimizing the presence of vectors and odors related to waste handling and disposal at public landfill facilities and other waste processing and tire facilities. In addition to routine inspections of waste facilities, the program also responds to complaints relating to the accumulation, storage, collection, processing, and improper disposal of waste in Fresno County.

The program also inspects and permits liquid waste pumping vehicles that pump out septic tanks, grease traps, and car wash traps in Fresno County. The Fresno County Ordinance Code and the California Code of Regulations require operators to obtain a permit to operate in order to ensure the proper disposal of liquid waste and maintenance of their vehicles in a clean and sanitary manner.

Milk and Dairy

The Milk and Dairy Program ensures that milk produced on Fresno County dairies meets standards. This is accomplished by conducting routine inspections and collecting milk samples for laboratory analyses.

The Environmental Health Division’s registered dairy inspectors are responsible for inspecting dairies and associated facilities that store the raw milk prior to processing while the state agency inspects milk plants and processed milk. Additionally, staff may conduct inspections of dairy facilities in response to nuisance complaints received such as flies and/or odors.

The program is also responsible for permitting and inspecting facilities in Fresno County that have soft serve ice cream equipment. Routine laboratory analyses of soft serve samples are conducted to ensure acceptable bacteriological quality.