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Food Program

Environmental Health Services

The San Mateo County Food Program offers comprehensive resources and services to ensure food safety and support for food-related businesses and events.

Unpermitted Food Vendors

Unpermitted food vendors are not regulated or inspected and can increase your chances of getting sick.

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Temporary Events

Permits for county fairs, city festivals, street events and other events open to the general public.

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Compact Mobile Food Operations (CMFO)

Sidewalk food vendors can obtain a permit and join the regulated vending economy.

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Mobile Food Facilities

San Mateo County Environmental Health Services is responsible for the inspection of various types of Mobile Food Facilities (MFF).

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Laws & Regulations

San Mateo County Health is committed to protecting public health through the enforcement of local and state laws related to food safety and environmental health.

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Food Safety

The Food Safety section of San Mateo County Health provides vital information to help residents and businesses maintain safe food practices.

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Food Facility Plan Check Process

Understand the requirements and steps for submitting and obtaining approval for new or remodeled food facility construction plans in San Mateo County.

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Cottage Food Operations

Learn how to legally prepare and sell approved low-risk foods from your home kitchen, including registration, permitted food lists and labeling requirements.

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Certified Farmers’ Market

Get permitting guidelines and food safety requirements for certified producers and vendors participating in San Mateo County farmers' markets.

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Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO)

Learn how to legally operate a home-based food business in San Mateo County, including permitting, food safety requirements and program guidelines.

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This includes guidance on obtaining permits for various food facilities, such as mobile vendors, cottage food operations and certified farmers’ markets. The program also provides information on food safety practices, regulatory compliance and the application processes for temporary events and microenterprise home kitchen operations. Whether you’re starting a new food business or organizing a community event, the Food Program serves as a centralized hub for all necessary forms, regulations and support to help you operate safely and in accordance with county health standards.

As of January 2022, state law (SB 1383) requires large food-generating entities to hold a contract or written agreement with a food recovery organization for the recovery of their surplus food for redistribution to those in need in the community. For more information, visit smcsustainability.org/ediblefoodrecovery.

Food Program Updates

Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance

All existing and new food facilities applying for a health permit may be required to comply with San Mateo County’s Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance. For more information and free […]

Applications Update

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Shellfish Safety

San Mateo County’s Mussel Sampling Program Approximately every two weeks Environmental Health Services staff collects mussel and plankton samples along San Mateo County’s coastline as part of the State’s Mussel […]

Food Facility Closures

The following businesses failed to correct major violations of the California Retail Food Code (CalCode) and are/were closed due to these violations. NAME: Jersey Joes ADDRESS: 21 El Camino Real, […]

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