The Environmental Health Division at Siouxland District Health Department has a contract with the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals to license and inspect retail food establishments in the Iowa counties of Woodbury, Plymouth, Sioux, Lyon, Osceola, O'Brien, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, and Palo Alto. Retail food establishments may include restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, coffee shops, concession stands, mobile food trucks, catering operations, vending machines, home bakeries, and temporary food stands.

Selling food in Iowa typically requires a license, with a few exceptions, and the regulations are the same across the state of Iowa. The retail food safety and licensing program is housed within the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, which adopts the rules and does the licensing and inspections in some counties, and contracts with some local entities to administer and enforce the Iowa Food Code in other counties. The purpose of the Food Code is to "safeguard the public health and provide to consumers food that is safe, unadulterated, and honestly prepared." The Food Code is based upon food safety recommendations developed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in consultation with industry and regulators, and focuses on public health and the prevention of foodborne illness.

Iowa follows the 2017 FDA Food Code and supplement. In addition, Iowa develops Administrative Rules to further interpret the code.

Iowa Laws

• Iowa Code Chapter 137F - Food Establishments and Food Processing Plants

Iowa Administrative Rules

• Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 481-30 - Food and Consumer Safety
• Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 481-31 - Food Establishment Inspections

Iowa Department of Inspections Appeals, Food and Consumer Safety Bureau

Regulations and Applications

View information about opening a food establishment including a temporary food stand, license applications, and food safety and regulation resources here.

View Inspection Reports

The Department of Inspections and Appeals maintains a Restaurant Inspection Web Site where you can view or download inspection reports for Iowa food establishments, including restaurants, grocery stores, and convenience stores.

Iowa Foodborne Illness Hotline

Do you feel like you are sick because of food that you've eaten? Report it using a new hotline 1-844-IowaSic or Woodbury County residents can call us here at Siouxland District Health Department at 712-234-3908.

Millions of people get food poisoning each year and approximately 125,000 are hospitalized in America because of these illnesses. By reporting your illness, you help public health officials investigate and identify sources of the illness and prevent others from getting sick!

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