Food and Facilities Sanitation

The Mecklenburg County Food and Facilities Sanitation Program (F&FS) is a mandated program is administered by the local Health Department pursuant to Chapter 130A of the General Statutes of North Carolina. F&FS issues permits to more than 4,400 food service facilities operating in Mecklenburg County and conducts more than 13,000 facility inspections per year.

F&FS provides plan review, permitting and evaluation of restaurants, temporary food services, meat markets, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, child care centers and schools and investigates child lead poisoning cases.

Address: 3205 Freedom Dr. Suite 8000, Charlotte, NC 28208

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 980-314-1620

F&FS also reviews facility plans, investigates requests of unsanitary conditions and poor food handling practices, and provides educational information to workers to help prevent foodborne illnesses.

F&FS is responsible for enforcing state statutes and local ordinances governing a number of different types of facilities:

Restaurants and Drink Stands
Food Stands
Pushcarts and Mobile Food Units
Private and Public School Lunchrooms
Private and Public School Buildings
Catered Elderly Nutrition Sites
Limited Food Service Facilities
Lodging Facilities (hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast)

Meat Markets
Public Swimming Pools
Rest Homes and Nursing Homes
Hospitals
Home Day Care Facilities
Residential Care Facilities (group homes and family foster homes)
Local Confinement Facilities (jails)
Adult Day Care Homes

Food Service Operators
The information below is intended to be used by food establishment workers that prepare and serve food. It is intended to aid in preparing food free of organisms that can cause illness.
2021 North Carolina Food Code Changes
- Summary of Changes:
  English | Spanish | Chinese
- Demonstration of Knowledge:
  English | Spanish | Chinese
- Food Employee Reporting Agreement:
  English | Spanish | Chinese
- Vomit or Diarrhea Clean-up:
  English | Spanish | Chinese
- Vomit or Diarrhea Clean-up Flyer
Food Service Operator References
Tools
Mobile Food Units, Pushcarts, and Shared Use Kitchens
Mobile Food Unit – is a food establishment or pushcart designed to be readily moved and vend food. Approval of food items being prepared and sold off a mobile food unit is directly proportional to the presence of mandatory equipment located within the unit and/or at the affiliated commissary. Reference rule 15A NCAC 18A .2672 for minimum construction and design expectations for permitted mobile food units.
Pushcart – is a mobile piece of equipment or vehicle used to vend food. Pushcart menus are restricted to the service of hot dogs and similar pre-cooked encased meats along with their associated condiments, pre-packaged drinks and snacks. Reference rule 15A NCAC 18A .2671 for minimum construction and design expectations for permitted pushcarts.
Mobile Food Units and Pushcarts Resources
Shared Use Kitchens
- Primary Application
- Secondary Application
Temporary Food Establishments and Limited Food Service Establishments
Temporary Food Establishments - food service operators at festivals, public exhibitions and special events.
Limited Food Service Establishments - For use at park or school concessions stands, and at lodging establishments that offer a limited menu.
Our TFE application process and forms have changed. - Beginning July 1, 2023, our office will only accept the updated TFE Organizer Application (Rev. 2023) and TFE Vendor Application (Rev. 2023). Old application forms will not be accepted after June 30th, 2023. The Event Organizer must submit the “TFE Event Organizer Application” and “TFE Vendor Applications” as one complete package. If the event taking place has more than 8 food vendors, an in person or virtual meeting is required. Please send all applications to [email protected] . The email address provided is monitored for application submittal only. See below for the updated applications.
Temporary Food Establishment
Limited Food Service Establishments
- Limited Food Establishment Regulations
- Limited Food Service Establishment Application