View Food Handler's Course Information

The City of Newark Food and Drug Bureau regulates food and drug safety, providing information to citizens throughout the city for major activities.

Major activities include but are not limited to:

• License and inspect food, milk, and refrigeration temperatures
• Enforce food safety laws
• Food Handling Permits
• Provide consumer information
• Issue Public Health Advisories
• Assist in the investigation of food borne outbreaks

Inspections: Under the New Jersey State Sanitary Code Chapter 24, the Food & Drug Bureau conducts retail food inspections of any type of food industry servicing or storing food or beverage in the City of Newark. These include but are not limited to: restaurants, school cafeterias, day care centers, mobile food vending units, bakeries, supermarkets, produce establishments, liquor stores, deli’s, poultry markets and fish markets.

In addition to inspecting establishments where food is sold, the bureau also conducts sanitary and safety programs by conducting inspections at the following facilities:

• Youth Camp
• Public Recreational Bathing Places (Swimming Pools)
• Tattoo Shops/ParlorsBoarding 
• Homes & Shelters
• Drug Stores
• Health Care Facilities

Surveillance: 

In addition to the inspections, The Food & Drug Bureau maintains surveillance of these food establishments by the following methods:

Food Sampling: The Food & Drug Bureau collects food samples and provides laboratory analysis of any food suspected of being associated with a food borne illness or, as necessary, any food suspected of being adulterated (contaminated), misbranded (improperly labeled), or unwholesome (in unsound condition not suitable for consumption).

Embargo: (Seize and detain) The Food & Drug Bureau places an embargo on all food known or suspected of being adulterated, misbranded, unwholesome or associated with food borne illness.

Condemnation: The Food & Drug Bureau condemns and supervises the destruction or otherwise disposal of food that is adulterated, misbranded, unwholesome or associated with food borne illnesses within the provisions of local ordinances or State Law.

Education: The Food & Drug Bureau conducts training courses for food service supervisors and food workers using curricula approved by the Department of Health and Senior Services. The Bureau’s Food Handler’s Certification Course is a required training by the City of Newark Ordinances that discusses proper techniques that should be used during food storage, preparation and service.  It also discusses employee and establishment cleanliness and sanitation to ensure the safety of customers and employees.  Food handling classes are held monthly. The Bureau provides courses in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Chinese, French, Creole and Portuguese.

Investigations: The Food & Drug Bureau conducts a public health nuisance program to include investigations of the following environmental health nuisances/complaints:

• Solid Waste
• Infestation of insects and rodents
• Noxious weeds
• Mold
• Air Quality
• Noise Quality
• Garbage and debris
• Housing (unsanitary conditions)

*The Division of Environmental Health consults with the Essex Regional Health Commission for the investigation of air and noise issues.