The Los Angeles County Public Health – Environmental Health Division is a regulatory agency responsible for enforcing state and local laws for the protection of public health. The division regulates a variety of entities that include restaurants, retail and wholesale markets, mobile food vehicles, farmer markets among others.

Public Health has recently proposed to increase permit fees in FY 2011-12 in order to recover actual costs associated with these inspections. Under this plan, cafeterias will be tiered based on seating capacity and food handling risk. According to Public Health, most hospital cafeterias will be placed either in a moderate or high risk category. Factors used for this categorization include handling raw meat, storage of food for next day use/sale and use of non-disposable eating utensils. The financial impact will result in some cafeteria fee permits being increased while other facilities will experience a decrease.

This proposal has been continued until July 12 by the Board of Supervisors while Public Health develops an outreach plan and collects public comment. A copy of the ordinance and FAQs can be found at: www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/misc/proposedFeeAdjustmen.htm.