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Food Protection Section
The mission of the Food Section of the Environmental Services Department is to minimize the incidence of food-borne illness in the community and to support the realization of citizens' reasonable aesthetic expectations concerning food establishments within our jurisdiction.
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Food inspections include monitoring food storage areas.
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On September 22, 2008, oversight of state Food Service Establishments transferred from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA). KDA now regulates restaurants, schools, and other food service establishments, as well as retail food establishments, food manufacturers, dairies, and meat and poultry plants. Visit the KDA food safety website.
The City of Wichita Food Protection Program is contracted by KDA to inspect all food service establishments. As part of a local licensing program, the City of Wichita also inspects retail food establishments and other places where food intended for off-premises consumption is sold.
All food establishments are inspected a minimum of once per year, as well as prior to beginning operation and immediately upon receipt of a food safety complaint.
| Food-Borne Illness: Scope of the Problem |
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Between 24 and 81 million people experience food-borne illness annually. (One in ten to one in three people)
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The annual cost of food-borne illness is between eight billion and twenty-three billion dollars.
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Food-borne illness costs each of us between $32.00 and $92.00 each year.
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Food inspector uses electronic thermometer to check food temperature at buffet line.
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The Environmental Services Department regulates the following establishments in Sedgwick County:
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2,000 food service establishments: restaurants, schools, cafeterias, delis, concession stands, mobile units, etc.
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500 grocery establishments: grocery stores, bakeries, meat markets, warehouses, etc.
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325 tobacco establishments.
Regulate the sale of tobacco products to underage customers.
Review plans for new or remodeled establishments. Consultation with operators and potential operators. Provide information for individual citizens and groups including results of restaurant inspections and inspection guidelines.
Questions regarding grease interceptor installation, monthly fees if facility does not have an interceptor, or the annual permit fee, please call Dana Hamilton, Water and Sewer Department at (316) 303-8777.
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