The following procedures and rules apply for new and existing food and beverage establishments located in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri.

Plan Review

Fee: $55.00

Before construction, remodeling, or conversion is started on all food and beverage establishments, a plan review application ─ including properly prepared plans and specifications ─ must be submitted to the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center for review and approval. The plans and specifications shall indicate:

  • proposed floor plan
  • equipment arrangement
  • mechanical plans
  • construction materials of facility
  • type/model of proposed fixed equipment and facilities

This requirement applies whether the food and beverage establishment is a new construction, an extensive remodel, or a conversion of an existing one.

Plan Review Application

Permit Application

Fee: varies (see below)

Food and beverage establishments must possess a valid Food & Beverage Permit that is posted in a publicly accessible part of the facility.    

Applications for a Food & Beverage Permit can be obtained at the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center. Permits are non-transferable but allow a 60 day grace period for cases with a change of ownership.

A Food & Beverage Permit will be issued after:

  • The Plan Review Application has been completed and submitted to the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center, and its fee has been paid.
  • The Plan Review (building plans) has been received, reviewed and approved.
  • The Food & Beverage Establishment has received a satisfactory inspection by the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center.
  • The Food & Beverage Permit Application has been completed and submitted to the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center, and its fee has been paid.
Permit Options
NEW BUSINESS EXISTING BUSINESS

Fee: $120
Fee is prorated for new businesses opening after June 30.


Fee: $120
A $25.00 late penalty will apply on all payments received after November 30. There is no renewal option (online) after December 31. To renew after December 31, please contact us.
Application: click here Application: not required

   

Required Training

Fee: varies (see below)

All managers and food handlers employed in food establishments in Cape Girardeau County must be trained in food safety. This requirement became mandatory on January 15, 2012.

Variance - establishments with existing corporate training programs for employees may apply for a variance. In order to receive a variance, the corporate training program must be reviewed and approved by the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center.

Food Handler Training
REQUIRED
(must possess a Basic Food Sanitation Card)
EXEMPT*
(Basic Food Sanitation Card is not required)
  • Shift Leaders
  • Cooks
  • Food Prep Personnel
  • Anyone who has direct contact with food
  • Servers
  • Bartenders
  • Dishwashers
  • Cleaning Crews

*If any of these positions require handing food, excluding drinks, the exemption does not apply (e.g. a server who prepares food is not exempt)

In-Person (Fee: $10.00) - required training can be met by attending the Basic Food Sanitation Class, an in-person, two hour program offered at the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center (fee payable at door). Pre-registration is required. After completion of the Food Safety exam, a Basic Sanitation Food Card will be issued.

Online (Fee: $15.00) - as an alternative to in-person basic training, an online class is offered by StateFoodSafety. It's fully completed online and a portion of the fee goes to Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center. After completion of the test, a Food Handlers Card will be issued that is approved for use in Cape Girardeau County. To register, visit StateFoodSafety's Missouri Food Handlers Card Training.

Manager Training
REQUIRED
(must be certified via a manager food safety course)
  • Managers
  • Assistant Managers
  • Owner(s) involved in day to day operation of facility
  • At least one person from absentee ownership (must own at least 5% of shares)

    Online (Fee: $91.00 course and proctor + $28.00 exam) - this is an online course provided by StateFoodSafety. Once the course has been completed, you may contact the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center to schedule an exam and be assigned a proctor. At this time, the exam is proctored at our location and is online. Passing score is 70%. To register, visit StateFoodSafety's Food Manager Certification & Training.

    In-Person/Online (Fee: $125 course, proctor, and exam) - this is a two day, in-person course presented by the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center. The exam will be administered at our location at the end of the 2nd day and is online. Passing score is 75%. The course is also available online, with prices that vary depending on the type of course purchased. After completing the online course, you must have a ServSafe registered proctor administer the test. The proctor fee for the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center is $29. To register for the online course option, visit ServSafe Manager Online Training and Certification Exams.

    If an individual is currently certified in a manager food safety course, they may apply for a Food Manager’s Certificate.

    Please check our calendar to register for any in-person food safety courses offered at Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center.

       

    Language Standard

    During an inspection by the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center, there shall be at least one person on duty at the food and beverage establishment who is proficient in English and can communicate with the inspector(s) and staff of the facility being inspected.

    PDFs
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