Data Updated March 2016

The Vermont Department of Health (VDH) Food and Lodging Program licenses and inspects food service establishments for compliance with food safety regulations. The program is also responsible for manufactured food inspections, shellfish dealer and seafood vendor inspections, lodging sanitation, school lunch program and children’s camp inspections. There are 9 Public Health Inspectors that provide technical information and conduct regulatory inspections in assigned geographic areas in Vermont.

There has been an increased focus on strengthening Vermont’s food system since 2010, as outlined in the Vermont Farm to Plate Strategic Plan (www.vtfoodatlas.com). This statewide food movement in Vermont has meant the number of food establishments requiring licensing and inspection has been growing steadily since 2010. Licensing data indicates an increase of approximately 700 food service licenses between calendar years 2010-2014.

During this same period, the Food and Lodging Program changes help tell the story behind the curve.

• 2010: Program has 7 Public Health Inspectors. Retirement of Public Health Inspector in September 2010
• 2011: Hired PH Inspector to fill vacancy; 6-month training period
• 2012: Changes in number of PH Inspectors working full-time. All PH Inspection staff attend two week FDA Training Course; no inspections conducted during this time
• 2013: Two additional inspector positions hired after July 2013; program has 9 full-time PH Inspectors
• 2014: Program has 9 Public Health Inspectors working full-time for the calendar year.
• 2015: Retirement of PH Inspector in September 2015. Position part of retirement incentive and not able to be refilled.
• 2016: Data pending for upload.

The Health Department works with industry business partners every day to ensure food safety. Academic, state and federal government partners include:

Health Department Infectious Disease Epidemiologists and Laboratory programs

University of Vermont Extension Service

VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets

VT Agency of Natural Resources

VT Department of Public Safety

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards recommend a staffing level of one full-time equivalent (FTE) devoted to food for every 280 – 320 inspections performed. Using this standard applied to overall licensed establishment activities, VDH currently has 9 inspectors for approximately 6,000 establishment licenses which translates to a ratio of 1 FTE to 674 licensed establishments needing routine inspection.

The VDH Food and Lodging Program is evaluating additional inspection resources, and will be shifting toward a risk-based inspection program in order to use existing program resources most efficiently to protect public health. Inspection frequencies will be based on risk of activities in the establishment and previous inspection compliance history. The program is also modernizing information technology infrastructure to conduct inspections, and will complete a comprehensive update of program regulations by 2016.