(Entire document available as a download our Forms page) 

From time to time the Jefferson County Health Department receives requests from individuals who would like to process or manufacture food or food related products or start restaurants in their homes. Our first response is to encourage the homeowner to rent or lease a facility that has already been approved by the Health Department. For those intrepid souls who, even in the face of reason must follow their own path, we applaud you and provide the following details by which this endeavor may be accomplished.

Jefferson County operates under a food code that provides regulation for both incorporated and unincorporated areas of the county. A permit is required before an establishment can be opened.

The county food code is modeled after the 1999 Federal Food Code and the 1999 Missouri Food Code and its subsequent code of state regulation 19CSR 20-1.025. Copies of the Jefferson County Food Code are available for reference at the Jefferson County Court House, Office of the County Clerk.

An important portion of Jefferson County Food Code that applies to operations from your home is as follows:

6-202.111 Private Homes and Living or Sleeping Quarters, Use Prohibition

A private home, a room used as living or sleeping quarters, or an area directly opening into a room used as living or sleeping quarters may not be used for conducting Food Establishment operations.

What this portion of the rule means, is that if you wish to use your home, you must dedicate or set aside a portion of the home that cannot be used for any purpose other than food processing. It must have an entrance to the outside; separate other entrances to the home. The area or room cannot have a door that opens directly into another portion of the home used as living or sleeping quarters. For most people, this means putting up walls and making doors to the outside where there were none before. This can be expensive.

An approved water system would be the next issue to be addressed. The following requirements apply:

5-101.11 Approved Systems

Drinking water shall be obtained from an approved source that is
(A) A Public Water System; or
(B) A Nonpublic water system that is constructed, maintained and operated according to law.

This requirement applies to all food processors, manufacturers, food service operations and retail food operations. If you are on a public water supply such as a city water supply or water district, they maintain records and do testing and in general meet the reporting requirements of the law. If you are on a private well, you may or may not be able to use your existing water supply, depending on its condition. However, you must meet the requirements of the Department of Natural Resources. Under the food code, you are responsible for the following:

5-102.13 Sampling

Except when used as specified under 5-102.12, water from a Nonpublic water system shall be sampled and tested at least annually and as required by state water quality regulations.

You are responsible for this testing and its subsequent cost. Samples are submitted on a regular basis to the Missouri Department of Health Laboratory in Jefferson City or to the Jefferson County Health Department Laboratory in Hillsboro.

5-102.14 Sample Report

The most recent sample report for the Nonpublic water system shall be retained on file in the Food Establishment or the report shall be maintained as specified by state water quality regulations.

You are responsible for maintaining records.

Some people find that a having an approved sewage system presents a problem. Often individuals operating on septic systems have trouble maintaining those systems in an approved manner. The following item applies:

5-201.11 Approved

(A) An approved plumbing system and hoses conveying water shall be constructed and repaired with approved materials according to law.
(B) A water filter shall be made of safe materials

This means your plumbing must be approved. If in a city, a city inspector must approve the plumbing, if in an unincorporated area, the county building inspector must approve the plumbing. This includes the septic system if you are not on an approved sewage treatment system.

None of these obstacles are insurmountable. If you are undaunted by them, proceed to the attached documents. The first document is a narrative titled "Requirements for opening a food service or retail food establishment". The second document is a checklist with the same title. These documents will offer you further guidance and walk you through the process. Once you have studied these guidelines you should contact the Jefferson County Health Department. We will attempt to provided timely advice and inspections.