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Public Health and Food Protection Program
Retail Food

Public Health and Food Protection Program

Jessica Swift
Project Coordinator

retailfood@doh.nj.gov

(609) 913-5184

Retail Food

The NJDOH Retail Food Project maintains N.J.A.C. 8:24, Sanitation in Retail Food Establishments, Food and Beverage Machines, and Cottage Food Operations.

Contacts for Retail Food Businesses

Type of Retail Food Business	Contact
Restaurant Temporary Retail Food (e.g. town days, carnival, farmers market) Food Truck Meal Prep Shipping food by mail or courier	Your Local Health Department
Ice cream truck with a soft-serve ice cream machine onboard	NJDOH Frozen Desserts Project
Cottage Food (Home Baking)	NJDOH Cottage Food Project
Rest stop on the NJ Turnpike or Garden State Parkway Food facilities operating on State property	NJDOH Retail Food Project

Rules and Guidance

N.J.A.C. 8:24 (Chapter 24 Rule): Sanitation in Retail Food Establishments
Chapter 24 Frequently Asked Questions [pdf 21k]
Instructions for Marking the Risk Based Check Sheet [pdf 319k]
Person in Charge Interview Questions [pdf 14k]

Surveys, Posters, and Placards

Local Health Department Guidance for Assessing CBD, THC, and Hemp-Derived Ingredients in Food and Beverages [published 9/16/26]
Nut Allergies Fact Sheet [updated 4/7/2025]
Allergen Advisory For Customers [updated 4/7/2025]
Food Allergy Awareness for Food Workers [updated 11/14/2024]
First Aid for Food Choking [updated 8/7/2025]
Food Disaster Survey Form

Food Protection Manager Certification

The New Jersey Department of Health, Public Health and Food Protection Program, does not offer Food Protection Manager courses or programs. This office cannot provide status updates or copies of your Food Protection Manager certificate.

For more information about Food Protection Manager certification, to register for a course, or to inquire about individual courses or testing, contact any of the accredited programs listed below.

To inquire about your individual registration or to request a copy of your Food Protection Manager Certificate, contact the accredited organization with which you registered.

Only Food Protection Manager certificates issued by New Jersey accredited organizations are accepted. All New Jersey accredited organizations are listed below. Food Protection Manager certificates issued by any of the below accredited organizations are equally accepted as proof of credential.