Certain things have become necessary to guarantee the health and sustenance of mankind, and good hygiene remains one of the main fulcrums both in commercial and private spaces.
As such, to ensure public health and safety, it is recommended you report any defaulting food service establishment in Florida to the health department in Florida.
To ensure your observations or complaints get to the right quarters and are treated promptly, you must understand the vital steps necessary to report a restaurant to the health department.
Keep in mind that it is one of the primary duties of the Florida Department of Health and related local agencies to look into such reports and take action against establishments that do not align with hygiene and safety standards.
Steps to Report a Restaurant to the Health Department in Florida
Identify the Problem
Before taking any cognizant step, you must document the issue you have noticed or encountered. Make sure you keep a detailed record of the violation.
Consider writing down what you encountered, when you encountered it, and any other important information. If you can, take photographic or video evidence to back up and solidify your complaint. Some of the problems to take note of include;
- Unsanitary Conditions: This will include dirty dining areas, restrooms, or kitchens; unclean utensils or equipment.
- Improper Food Handling: Employees not conforming to stipulated health codes by washing hands, cross-contamination, and unprofessional food storage temperatures.
- Pests: Presence of rodents, insects, or other pests.
- Health Violations: This includes things such as mold growth, expired food, and inappropriate waste disposal.
Gather Necessary Information
After the step above, the next thing is to gather vital information about the restaurant to be certain your complaint is directed to the right establishment.
Keep in mind that providing the right information will ensure that the health department investigates the facility directly. Some of the information to gather includes;
- Restaurant Name and Address: You need to make sure you obtain the exact name and address of the establishment, especially if is part of a chain.
- Date and Time: This is more or less when the incident happened.
- Staff Involved: This refers to the name or job title of employees if they are important to the report.
- Specific Locations: Places or spaces with the restaurant where the violation took place. This could be the kitchen, restroom, or dining area.
Contact the Florida Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) is tasked with these sorts of reports, especially those concerning restaurants. You can report your complaint through various methods:
- Online: The DOH makes available an online food establishment complaint form. Go to the DOH website, search for the right form, and fill it out with every vital detail. Be sure to upload any supporting documents or evidence such as photos or videos.
- Phone: Reach out to the DOH at their toll-free number, 850-245-4444. Just request to speak directly with a representative, provide all the relevant details of your complaint, and ask any questions you might have about the process.
- In-Person: If you prefer, it is possible to visit your local county health department to report the issue directly.
Submit a Detailed Complaint
This is one step you need to take great care of to ensure you submit a complaint that is as thorough as it is specific. To file the right complaint, here are things to keep in mind;
- Describe the Incident: Be sure to make available an easy-to-understand narrative of what happened, and pay more attention to the key issues.
- Include Evidence: Be sure to include any photos, videos, or other documentation that supports your claim.
- Contact Information: Make sure to add your contact details just in case the health department wants to get more information or verify certain details.
Understand the Investigation Process and Follow-up
Once you have completed and filed your complaint, it’s recommended you ask to understand the investigation process as well as follow up. This will necessitate the following;
- Inspection: Inspectors will be sent to pay an unannounced visit to the restaurant to evaluate the situation you reported. Note that their work is to verify the issues you reported as well as any other potential violations.
- Outcome: Once the violation or other violations are found, the restaurant will face one of the following; fines, mandatory corrective actions, or even temporary closure until issues are taken care of.
- Check Status: Reach out to the DOH or your local health department to get an update on the status of your complaint.
- Be Persistent: If you fail to get a satisfactory response within a certain timeframe, you must call or reach out to follow up again. Persistence will in most instances quicken the response.