Food Safety

To view current recall notices, visit the Washington Department of Health’s Food Recalls and Safety Alerts page.

To report a suspected or confirmed foodborne illness, or to report a food safety concern, visit the Washington Department of Health’s Foodborne Illness Notification System (FINS). The FINS database tracks all food safety complaints across the state, and complaints are sent to the local health jurisdiction responsible for handling the complaint. Read WA DOH's press release to learn more about the FINS database.

In Whitman County, food establishments may apply for a variance to allow pet dogs on a patio or indoors. Our variance process ensures that food safety requirements are met while dogs are present. For a list of food establishments that have been approved to allow pet dogs on a patio or indoors, please view our Pet Friendly Establishments list.

Note: Service animals who are trained to perform a specific task to aid an individual with their disability are allowed in dining areas and on patios of food establishments regardless of the establishment’s variance standing.

Learn more about service animals on the ADA website.

Suspect foods are foods that are cooked or prepared in unpermitted kitchens, often kitchens inside peoples’ homes, and typically sold online via social media or other websites. Because these kitchens are not permitted, they lack regular inspections and employee trainings. This means we cannot verify that they are following food safety practices that prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses.

Under limited circumstances, Cottage Food Permits allow individuals to prepare foods, such as baked goods, for retail sale in their home kitchen. Visit WSDA's website for more information on Washington’s cottage food laws.

Food safety at home is just as important as food safety in restaurants. View these resources to learn how to keep your home cooking safe.