FAQ's

Q:  What is Environmental Health?
A: We are an enforcement agency operating as part of the County of  Riverside, Community Health Agency.  We regulate retail food operations, organized camps, mobilehome parks (unincorporated areas only), non-municipal water systems, wells, on-site sewage system design, businesses that handle or store hazardous materials, landfills, solid waste transfer stations, solid/liquid waste haulers, medical waste and tattoo businesses to name a few.  We also offer Vector Control services in the County areas not covered by the two existing Vector Control Districts. In addition we respond to complaints made against the operations we regulate as well as for residential trash and sewage problems in the unincorporated areas of the County.   Our staff responds with the County Fire Emergency HazMat Response Team to all HazMat incidents in the County with the exception of those cities who have their own HazMat Team.

Q: How do I get a Food Worker Card?
A: Food worker cards are available at a number of our area offices around the county.  For more information on the food worker cards check out our Food Worker Cards page.

Q :Is it safe to eat at a restaurant that has been rated with a "B" or a "C" rating? 
A: A food facility may receive a noncompliant rating for various reasons that can contribute to unsafe food handling, but not make eating there "imminently dangerous".  Facilities posing imminent health risks will be closed by the Environmental Health Department until the hazards or conditions causing the problem are corrected.  For a listing of facilities that have been downgraded check out our Facility Downgrades page.  FYI: By law the most recent inspection report is required to be kept onsite and a copy provided to anyone who asks for it.

Q: Is an "A" rated restaurant always safe to eat at? 
A: A facility with an "A" rating was compliant with California's Health and Safety Codes during its last inspection. Although this is not a guarantee of safe food handling, as conditions are subject to change from moment to moment, it is likely to be "safer" than eating at an establishment that was unable to pass an inspection due to noncompliant issues that were observed during that inspection.

Q: If I feel a restaurant is handling food improperly or suspect that there may be a rodent or insect infestation, how do I go about reporting that? 
A: You may call any of our area offices or use our online form to lodge a formal complaint and be assured that it will remain confidential. You will be notified of the results of the investigation carried out in response to the complaint.