Each year, one in six Americans (or 48 million people) gets sick due to food-borne illnesses, while an estimated 3,000 die of complications related to food-borne diseases. Reducing food-borne illness by just 10% would keep 5 million Americans from getting sick each year. Preventing a single fatal case of E. coli O157 infection would save an estimated $7 million.

The health department inspects over 60 restaurants/food establishments in Linn County. This includes anyone serving food to the public, as well as public schools and daycares. All establishments are inspected twice per year and more frequent visits are made if needed. Any reported food illness is investigated thouroughly.

All new establishments must speak to the environmental health specialist prior to opening, to ensure their procedures and establishment is meeting state requirements.

• Information on State Requirements
• Most Recent Food Recall List
• More Information on Food Safety