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The Florence County Health Department (FCHD) became an agent for the state in July 2017. Since then FCHD has been responsible for licensing and inspecting establishments in Florence County. We protect the community’s health by ensuring that restaurants, hotels, bed and breakfast establishments, public swimming pools, water attractions, campgrounds, and tattoo and body piercing establishments are in compliance the respective laws. The communities served include Tipler, Long Lake, Fern, Fence, Aurora, Commonwealth, Spread Eagle, and Florence.

All establishment inspections are conducted by Environmental Health Specialists (EHS), whom are nationally Registered Environmental Health Sanitarians. These professionals work with establishment owners and managers each day to keep the environment and your food and drinks safe from harmful bacteria, viruses, physical hazards and chemical contaminates.

Please keep in mind that any inspection report is a “snapshot” of the day and time of the inspection. On any given day, a facility could have fewer or more violations than noted in the report. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term operation of the facility.

A business that provides services and/or food to the public is required by law to obtain a license. These licenses are issued following a pre-license inspection to confirm compliance with respective laws and national food safety standards. Routine inspections during subsequent operation of the facility assess the operator’s ability to ensure that day to day operations are conducted in a safe and sanitary manner

During a routine food establishment inspection the EHS will follow the flow of food throughout the food facility and discuss food safety practices with the food service employees, as well as observe and verify use of proper food safety practices and procedures.  

Food establishment inspections are focused on identifying risk factors and good retail practices in addition to providing education and information on proper food practices.

Risk Factors are defined as improper practices or procedures that have been identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the most prevalent contributing factors of foodborne illness or injury. Risk factors include:

  • Poor personal/hand hygiene;
  • Food from unsafe sources;
  • Inadequate cooking;
  • Improper holding temperatures;
  • Contaminated equipment.

Good retail practices are defined as those practices or procedures that focus on general sanitation in the food facility.

If deficiencies are observed during routine inspections, they are described in an inspection report with reference to the relevant section of the Wisconsin Food Code. Deficiencies that result in immediate health hazards to the public are general corrected immediately.

Environmental Health Specialists perform other important services including:

  • Working with your local public pool operator to ensure that the public has a safe pool environment to swim in;
  • Working with local lodging operators to ensure that the public is kept safe from fire, injury, hazards, and pests;
  • Working with local campgrounds to ensure a safe environment for children and families;
  • Working with local tattoo artists and body piercers to ensure a safe and hygienic environment;
  • Sampling well water to ensure that it is safe for consumption at facilities such as restaurants, taverns, convenience stores, churches, and more.

For more information or to contact the Florence County Health Department please contact us at 715-528-4837 or visit us at https://www.florencecountywi.com.