New permit policy for selected food establishments in Tennessee

JACKSON, TN (WNBJ) - The Tennessee Environmental Health Program has issued a new food permit requirement for food establishments.

The department says effective January 1st of 2022 all food establishments serving only coffee or popcorn must receive this new food permit.

As defined by the Tennessee Department of Health any food establishments, whether permanent, mobile, or temporary must comply.

The Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department says the best way to adhere to this new policy is to call and ask questions.

“Food is very complex because it does depend on what you are doing and how you want to sell. The community can’t just go out and set up a tent and a table and decide that they are going to sell food. They can’t do that because there are regulations that cover food and we want everyone to be sanitary and well because we want to keep a healthy community,” said Candy Overstreet, the Regional Environmental Program Dir. of Jackson-Madison Co. Regional Health Department.

If you have more questions concerning this new permit requirement, please call the Environmental Health Department at the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department at 731-423-3020.

You can also email geh.health@tn.gov for more information.