About Us
HHS Health Data & Reports
HHS Health Services A-Z
Links
browse city services a-z
browse facts and links a-z
search this site
To reach the City Food Service Inspector(s), please call 756-8008 or email phweb@portlandmaine.gov. Please do not drop in at City Hall, as the inspector(s) spend nearly all of their time in the field and are not available without an appointment.
If you witness unsafe food handling practices at a food establishment, or experience illness immediately after eating or drinking at an establishment, please call the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s 24-hour, 7 days a week disease reporting line at 1 (800) 821-5821.
Food Safety and Food Service Inspections
In the City of Portland there are roughly 800 establishments where food is sold or served. These include restaurants, coffee shops, school cafeterias, caterers, mobile food carts and fresh food sections of grocery stores. In addition upwards of 1,000 TFSL (Temporary Food Service License) permit applications are taken out for events throughout the year.
It is the mission of the City of Portland Public Health and Inspections Divisions to ensure that Portland is a safe and healthy community in which to live, work and visit. This includes access to safe and healthy food.
According to the 2001 Maine Food Code, every food establishment must have a ‘Person in Charge’ (PIC) who ensures all employees are trained on food safety. Each establishment must also have a regular inspection, typically every other year or more frequently as deemed necessary by the City of Portland Health Inspections Division.
How to Proceed with Starting a Food Establishment in the City of Portland, and Associated Casco Bay Islands
Checklist:
1) Apply for a City Food Service license.
2) Apply for the proper State Food Service license from the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) or the Maine Department of Agriculture (MDA). (Please see below).
3) Check with Planning & Development before any work commences to see what, if any, permitting is needed (change of use, plumbing, electrical, etc.).
4) Complete and submit permitting applications.
Please note: Plumbing & electrical applications must be taken out by a contractor. Commercial entities may not do this work themselves.
5) Secure your CFPM (Certified Food Protection Manager) requirement.
6) Complete all work and installations. When all is completed, call to arrange your opening inspection(s).
Types of Food Service Permit Applications
All food establishments must hold both current City and State Food Service licenses. At the State level, it is either a Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or a Maine Department of Agriculture (MDA) license that is required.
**If on-site prepared food equals 51% or more of your sales, then you need a
DHHS
Municipal Eating License.
**If retail pre-packaged equals 51% or more of your sales, then you need an
MDA Retail
Food License.
City of Portland
Permanent Food Service Establishment (FSE)
Temporary Food Service Establishment (TFSE)
Mobile Food Establishment
Pushcart Regulations
Pushcart Application
State of Maine
DHHS:
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/el/forms.htm
MDA: http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/qar/qarforms/FoodandFuel-licenseapplication-2008.pdf
If your DHHS license has not expired you can renew it here: https://www1.maine.gov/online/deh/hip/
City of Portland renewals cannot be done online at this time.
What to Expect During a Food Inspection Visit
Sample Inspection Forms
Tips & Reminders
Personal Hygiene DVD
(Download)
