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Food Code Updates 410 IAC 7-26

Updated IDOH Retail Food Establishment Sanitation Requirements

In efforts to promote uniform inspection programs across the State of Indiana, IDOH has updated their Food Code to 410 IAC 7-26 which is based on the 2022 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) model Food Code. The FDA Food Code is historically recognized as a model for best practices to ensure food safety in retail food establishments.

Food products sold directly to the end consumer are considered retail food operations. These establishments include restaurants, fast food operations, grocery stores, gas stations, farmers markets, schools/institutions and temporary events. All retail food establishments must meet the requirements of the Indiana Retail Food Code.

In alignment with the updated food code, foodborne illness risk factors and public health interventions are the focal point of the inspection. Risk factors are important practices or procedures identified as the most prevalent contributing factors of foodborne illness or injury. Public health interventions are control measures to prevent foodborne illness or injury.

In lieu of critical/non-critical violation designations, opportunities observed during the inspection are now categorized and marked as:

  • Priority item (P): Item that contributes directly to the elimination, prevention, or reduction to an acceptable level of hazards associated with foodborne illness or injury, and there is no other provision that more directly controls the hazard
  • Priority foundation (Pf): Item that requires the purposeful incorporation of specific actions, equipment, or procedures by industry management to attain control of risk factors that contribute to foodborne illness or injury such as personnel training, infrastructure or necessary equipment, HACCP plans, documentation or record keeping, and labeling
  • Core (CORE): Item that usually relates to general sanitation, operational control, sanitation standard operating procedures, facilities or structures, equipment design, or general maintenance

Additional information regarding the official guidance, Indiana Administrative Codes, the rollout and enforcement of 410 IAC 7-26 can be found in subsequent links below.