The Health Department's Food Protection Program is responsible for permitting, regulating and inspecting over 3,000 food service facilities operating in Lake County. The ultimate goal of the program is to reduce the occurrence of foodborne illness and to promote safe food practices within the community. This goal is realized by surveying food operation procedures and by educating food handlers and the public on food safety.
Inspection reports and enforcement histories for food service facilities are now available online. You can view inspection and enforcement information beginning with inspection activity as of July 1, 2009. If you are interested in food service facilities’ inspection information prior to July 1, please contact the program.
If you have questions or concerns regarding food safety, please contact the Food Program Coordinator at 847.377.8020. For assistance or information on a foodborne illness contact a Sanitarian in your area or Communicable Disease and Epidemiology at 847.377.8130.
Free General Food Safety Training and free Temporary Food Service Event Training -
Please click Food Safety Training to register for the General Food Safety Training or Temporary Food Service Event Training course. Please check the box next to the course(s) you wish to take. Then click the "ADD TO CART" button to proceed with registration.
General Food Safety Training
The General Food Safety Training course covers basic food safety issues and techniques on how to maintain a food-safe environment at home. This free 30-minute course is recommended for individuals wishing to enhance their knowledge on the three main causes of foodborne illness: controlling food temperatures, proper handwashing and preventing contamination.
Temporary Food Service Event Training
The Temporary Food Service Event Training course covers food safety, sanitation and code requirements that are essential to conduct a safe, sanitary and successful temporary food service event in Lake County. Taking this free 60-minute course provides temporary food service event vendors with a better understand of how handling food correctly prevents foodborne illness, and makes them eligible for a reduced permit fee.
Food Service Sanitation Food Code Changes - PresentationFood Service Sanitation Food Code Changes - QuizThis PowerPoint presentation and quiz are educational tools used to educate food service employees in food service facilities. The presentation is an overview of the most recent updates in the 2008 Illinois Department of Public Health Food Service Sanitation Code.
Food Safety Game
The Food Safety Game is a fun and easy way to teach food handlers the basics of food safety and sanitation. The game uses Microsoft PowerPoint to run and works similar to the game Jeopardy. Click on the links below to download the game, playing instructions and answer/score sheets.
Food Safety Game Score Sheet (PDF file)
Food Safety Game Answer Sheet (PDF file)
Food Safety Game (Microsoft PowerPoint file)
Food Safety Educational Presentation (Microsoft PowerPoint file)
In addition, Environmental Health staff perform routine inspections on various facilities in the county. Included in the program are the following facilities:
Indoor/Outdoor Swimming Pools
Bathing Beaches
Tanning Salons
Responsible for Routine Inspections and Complaint Investigations for:
Swimming Pools: 81 (indoor) 184 (outdoor)
Bathing Beaches: 64
Tanning Salons: 84
Inspections may include water sampling, analysis and surveys of swimming facilities.
