Food Operators

Permits and Licenses Health Academy Food Operators Opportunities

Food Service Operators

Whether you work in a restaurant, soup kitchen or other food service establishment, the Health Department has important information about operating a clean, safe, healthy and legal business. Use the links provided on the left to find the guidance and information you need. To assist operators further, they may request a 3-year inspection history report for their food service establishment.

Cannabidiol (CBD) Prohibited in Food and Drink

In December 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement clarifying its position on cannabis-derived products. The FDA stated that it is unlawful to add CBD to food or drink. As a result, the Health Code also prohibits adding CBD to food or drink, including in packaged food products.

The Health Department is currently educating food service establishments and retailers that CBD is prohibited from being added to food and drink, and to stop offering these products. Beginning July 1, 2019, if operators have not voluntarily come into compliance, the Health Department will embargo food and drink products that contain CBD — the products will have to be returned to the supplier or discarded. Starting October 1, 2019, the Health Department will begin issuing violations to food service establishments and retailers for offering food or drink containing CBD. Violations may be subject to fines as well as violation points that count toward the establishment’s letter grade.

For more information on CBD in food or drink, visit the FDA website.

We will provide updates on our enforcement of this product if the FDA updates its guidance.

Restaurant Food Safety Workshops

The Health Department holds food safety workshops for operators throughout the five boroughs. At these workshops, you will:

Learn how to achieve and maintain an “A” grade
Receive an inspection history report that describes your restaurant’s repeat violations and how to correct them
Be able to ask questions and receive guidance from Health Department staff on improving your restaurant's food safety practices

2019’s Practicing “A” Grade Food Safety workshops have now been scheduled. You can register for one of the workshops listed below.

Borough	Date and Time of Workshop	Location
Bronx	Wednesday, May 29 1 p.m.–4 p.m. *	Hostos Community College 120 East 149th Street (corner of Walton Avenue) 2nd Floor, Savoy Multi-Purpose Room Bronx, NY 10451
Brooklyn	Wednesday, April 17 1 p.m.–4 p.m. *	Brooklyn Law School 250 Joralemon Street Brooklyn, NY 11201
Manhattan	Thursday, May 2 1 p.m.–4 p.m. *	David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building 1 Centre Street, Mezzanine New York, NY 10007
Manhattan	Wednesday, June 19 1 p.m.–4 p.m. *	Yeshiva University Belfer Hall, 1st Floor 2495 Amsterdam Avenue New York, NY 10033
Queens	Wednesday, June 5 1 p.m.–4 p.m.	Queens Library – Flushing Branch 41-17 Main Street, Auditorium Flushing, NY 11355
Staten Island	Wednesday, April 3	Joan & Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center Social Hall 1466 Manor Road Staten Island, NY 10314
*Representatives from various city agencies will be available to answer your questions from 1 p.m.–2 p.m.

Business Owner's Bill of Rights

Read the Bill of Rights (PDF)
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More Resources

NYC Health Code for Food Service Establishments (PDF)
What Your Need to Know About the Updated Calorie Labeling Rule (PDF)
Read the latest edition of Food Matters!
Consultative Inspections for New Food Service Establishments (PDF)
Other languages: [中文] [한국어] [Español] [Русский] [Kreyòl ayisyen]