New Business Information

Business Ambassador Team
Food Handler Cards
Plan Check Information

Riverside County Department of Environmental Health is a full-service department that is dedicated to protecting the health of people and the environment in Riverside County. To learn more about programs that the Department oversees please visit the Our Services page.

Latest News

Summer is here! Are you doing your part in mosquito abatement around your neighborhood? Here are some simple steps for you to reduce mosquitoes in your yard.

	Food & Water Safety at Home During Power Outages Click here for detailed safety information on how to properly handle food and water before, during, and after a power outage.
	FDA Advises Consumers to Avoid Food Products Prepared with Liquid Nitrogen at the Point of Sale The FDA has released a warning of the potential for serious injury from food products prepared by adding liquid nitrogen at the point of sale and immediately before consumption. These products are often marketed under the names "Dragon’s Breath," "Heaven’s Breath," "nitro puff" and other similar names. Liquid nitrogen, although non-toxic, can cause severe damage to skin and internal organs if mishandled or accidentally ingested due to the extremely low temperatures it can maintain. Please see FDA's Advisory regarding this potential for injury.
	Backflow Tester's Exam Our September Hands On Backflow Exam is now FULL! The next exam will be given on December 12, 2018. Click here for more information on the Backflow Prevention Program.
	CBD Not Approved in Food or Drinks Click here for information from the California Department of Public Health on Industrial Hemp and Cannabidiol (CBD) in Food Products
	PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED OILS The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released its final determination that partially hydrogenated oils are not Generally Recognized as Safe and no longer allowed in any food beginning June 18, 2018. Foods currently in commerce containing trans fats can still be used. Retail food facilities should contact their distributor to verify food products do not contain trans fats before purchasing. Please defer to this notice and the FDA for more guidance, or contact your Environmental Health Specialist with questions or concerns.
	COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH EARNS NATIONAL AWARDS Environmental Health officials have earned two national awards for their efforts to educate residents about food safety, swimming pools safety and mosquito-borne diseases, and for developing an online system that helps businesses file hazardous-materials plans online. Click here to view full press release.
	MENU NUTRITIONAL LABELING REQUIREMENTS Americans consume about a third of their daily calories away from home. In an effort to help consumers make informed choices, California has adopted federal menu labeling requirements which go into effect May 7, 2018. Click here for more information.
	Hazardous Materials Business Plan (Disclosure Program) Informational Videos Are you a new business that handles hazardous materials and needs help understanding the disclosure program? If this is you, click on a topic below. Part I: Are you a handler of hazardous materials? Part II: Chemical Identification Part III: EHS & SDS Part IV: Business Plan Requirements Part V: Common Violations
	Risk Management Plan- Document Review To view the most recent submitted Risk Management Plans and information on how to provide public comment, click by date: 8/15/2018
	RIVERSIDE COUNTY HAZARDOUS MATERIALS BRANCH EARNS DISTINGUISHED STATEWIDE AWARD An alliance of agencies that protects Californians from hazardous waste has named Riverside County’s Hazardous Materials Branch as its outstanding agency for 2018. Click here to view full press release.
	CERS SUBMITTAL 2018 REMINDER NOTICE Starting January 1, 2018, all California regulated businesses must use the new Federal Hazard Categories to prepare the Hazardous Materials Inventory submittal in CERS, and must complete the submittal by December 31st or their annual submission deadline - whichever is first. Further information is available online: http://cers.calepa.ca.gov/ Background Cal EPA Business Guidance Announcement
	New Testing Times for Backflow Written Exam We now offer our backflow written exam, Monday through Friday, in our downtown Riverside office located at 3880 Lemon St., Suite 200. Testing times are 8:30am or 1:30pm. Please visit our Water Program page for more information.
	Commercial Cannabis is Prohibited in Riverside County Currently cannabis businesses, including cultivation, are illegal in the unincorporated areas of Riverside County. The County is investigating potential cannabis regulations. Please visit the Cannabis webpage to learn more. For cities which allow cannabis businesses, a permit with Riverside County Department of Environmental Health may be required. Click here for more information or email us with your questions.
	Submit Your Construction Plans Online The Department of Environmental Health will accept electronic plan submittals for food, mobile food and pool facilities. Click here for more details.
	Business Plan Updates Are Due Annually If your facility stores hazardous materials above threshold quantities, then you are required to submit a new Business Plan in CERS on a annual basis. Please click here to submit an updated plan.
	Food Donation Any food facility may donate food to a food bank or another non-profit charitable organization for distribution to persons free of charge. Click here for more information.