Retail Food Establishments
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Please note the requirements needed when seeking to (a) construct a new, (b) change, or (c) acquire an existing retail food establishment.
If the retail business is a new business, under new ownership, taking on a new name or undergoing renovation, please complete the Food Retail / Plan Review Questionnaire, returning it to Consumer and Industry Services (CIS) along with:
- An electronic copy of the floor plan for the retail establishment showing the location of equipment including:
- three compartment sink or commercial ware washing equipment (when applicable)
- mop sink
- location of restrooms
- hand washing sinks (must be conveniently located in all food preparation areas , ware washing areas, and restrooms).
*For efficiency of service, digital copies are preferred. Hand drawn renderings of floor plans are also acceptable.
- Business license or registration with the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
- Number of available seats in dining area (if a food establishment has over 16 seats, two restrooms must be available).
If the business is keeping the acquired business' original name, please complete the Food Retail / Plan Review Questionnaire and return it to CIS along with:
- Business license or registration with the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
The completed questionnaire and required documentation can be sent as email attachments to NewFood.Business@TN.gov or mailed to
Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Consumer and Industry Services
Attn: Food and Dairy
P.O. Box 40627
Nashville, TN 37204
We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to doing business with you.
Re-Opening Retail Food Establishments During COVID-19 - Food Safety Checklist
Information for Food Handlers
Is Coronavirus a concern on fresh produce?
Is Coronavirus a concern at grocery stores?
FDA: Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) questions and answers can be found here.
FDA: Best Practices for Retail Food Stores, Restaurants, and Food Pick-Up/Delivery Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
More than 9,500 retail food establishments in Tennessee are inspected regularly based on their risk category:
- Establishments with Temperature Controlled Foods or High Risk Firms are inspected twice each year.
- Seasonal or Moderate Risk Firms are inspected once each year.
- Low Risk Firms are inspected once every eighteen months.
These retail food firms are required to follow TDA's Retail Food Store Sanitation Rule 8808-04-09 and regulations relating to food storage, facility sanitation, and safety.
Retail food store inspection scores provide a general indication of compliance. Inspection reports describe sanitation conditions and associated health risk findings. Stores must make scores available when asked. A score below 70 requires a follow-up inspection.
Inspection Scores
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture maintains retail food store inspection scores:
The Tennessee Department of Health maintains restaurant inspection scores.
For more information about TDA's retail food store inspection program, or to register a complaint about food store sanitation or food safety, 615-837-5193.
Compliance standards are related primarily to:
- Demonstration of Knowledge of Person in Charge
- Employee Health
- Good Hygienic Practices
- Prevention of Contamination by the Hands
- Approved Suppliers and Sources
- Receiving of Ingredients' Conditions
- Protection from Food Contamination
- Proper Cooking Time and Temperatures
- Compliance with Processes / Food Safety Plan
- Proper Labeling
- Safety of Food Practices and Water Sources
- Proper Use and Handling of Utensils
- Sanitation of Utensils, Equipment and Non-Food Contact Surfaces
- Physical Facility
- Hot and Cold Water
- Plumbing and Sewage
- Ventilation and Lighting
- Garbage and Refuse