Retail Food Safety and Compliance Documents

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The Retail Food Safety & Compliance Department inspects approximately 22,000 retail food establishments statewide and issues permits to new facilities prior to opening. Retail food establishments include operations such as restaurants, grocery stores, food trucks, schools, and other institutions. Risk-based inspections are conducted at each establishment in the state annually or quarterly, based on an establishment’s food processes and their compliance history.

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    Regulated Establishments : Power Outages
    (South Carolina State Library, 2019-10-15) South Carolina Department of Agriculture
    Power outages can be costly to food/feed manufacturers. By planning in advance and quickly taking action after a power outage, you can limit some of the impact to your firm. It is critical that you quickly control temperature. In the event of a power outage, you will need to evaluate if foods/feeds have remained in a safe zone and whether or not manufacturing operations can safely resume. All safe cooking practices must be in place for food manufacturing operations to resume after an outage: temperature controls, proper food handling, and proper means of equipment cleaning.
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    Regulated Establishments : Flood Recovery
    (South Carolina State Library, 2019-10) South Carolina Department of Agriculture
    If your firm has been impacted by flooding, follow the guidance below when it is safe for you to do so and before re-opening for business: If there is an imminent health hazard or safe operation (food/feed safety and/or personal safety) cannot be maintained, your business must discontinue operation.
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    South Carolina Home-based Food Production Law Guidance
    (2024-07) South Carolina Department of Agriculture; Clemson University. Cooperative Extension Service
    The South Carolina (SC) Home-based Food Production (HBFP) Law guidance document was developed to provide clear and consistent information about the law for home-based food producers to assist them in following the law and providing quality and safe food to South Carolina consumers. This guidance document outlines the requirements of the law, which foods are allowed and not allowed, labeling, and more.
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    Retail Food Establishment Top Ten Permitting Obstacles that Spell Delay
    (2024-05-20) South Carolina Department of Agriculture
    Welcome to the retail food service industry in the State of South Carolina. We [The Retail Food Safety & Compliance Department of the South Carolina Department of Agriculture] are excited to partner with you in your new venture and would like to ensure that you get your permit as soon as possible. To that end, we have prepared a Quick Guide for Planning a Retail Food Establishment and compiled a list of the top 10 obstacles prospective permit holders encounter as they prepare for their preliminary site inspection. The obstacles noted are consistently observed throughout the state and frequently cause permitting delays. Our hope is that by highlighting them, you will be able to avoid these obstacles and breeze through the permitting process.
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    South Carolina Livestock Markets : Buy and Sell Your Livestock in South Carolina
    (2024-06) South Carolina Department of Agriculture
    This brochure contains relevant information for those wishing to buy or sell livestock in South Carolina.
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    Quick Guide for Planning a Retail Food Establishment
    (2024-05-20) South Carolina Department of Agriculture
    This Quick Guide for Planning a Retail Food Establishment is: intended to aid the owner and the food industry, equipment dealers, architect, engineers, consultant, and others with Regulation 61-25 requirements; designed to assist the owner or officer of the legal entity in preparing and submitting a complete application for permit at least thirty calendar days before the date planned for opening; intended to assist the owner and contractor in preparing for and scheduling a pre-operational inspection at least fourteen calendar days prior to an inspection to issue a permit.
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    Labeling Guidance
    (2023-12-15) South Carolina Department of Agriculture
    This document contains basic label requirements of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA), Food Allergen and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA), and the Nutritional Labeling Act (NLEA).
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    Honey Sales Quick Guide
    (2024-06-24) South Carolina Department of Agriculture
    SC Department of Agriculture (SCDA) regulates the sale of honey in SC. If you plan to sell your honey to roadside markets, convenience stores, health food stores, etc. you will need to register with SCDA and have your honey house inspected and approved by SCDA. Our Food Safety Officers perform food safety inspections under authority granted by the SC Food and Cosmetic Act section 39-25. If you sell your honey directly to the end consumer (at farmers markets) and produce no more than 400 gallons(4,800 lbs.), you can apply for registration and inspection exemption.
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    Honey Sales Comparison Chart
    (2024-06-27) South Carolina Department of Agriculture
    This chart contains information about selling honey in South Carolina.
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    Food Processing Establishment Quick Guide
    (2024-06-24) South Carolina Department of Agriculture
    SC Department of Agriculture (SCDA) regulates the wholesale of most food products(non-beef, lamb, poultry, or pork). Registration is required by state law and food products must be prepared in a registered and approved facility. A domestic kitchen is not an acceptable facility. The term "Wholesale" means to sell something to another individual, company, or store (i.e. grocery store, convenience stores, restaurants, etc.), for the purpose of resale (serve or sell to final consumer). This document contains building and inspection requirements for food processing establishments that fit this criteria.
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    Anti-harassment policy
    (2024-06-13) South Carolina Department of Agriculture
    It is the South Carolina Department of Agriculture's (SCDA) policy to provide a work environment free of harassment based on race, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disabilities, similar distinctions, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including but not limited to, lactation, or any other legally protected category under federal, state or local law. SCDA has zero tolerance for harassment. SCDA will not tolerate retaliation against anyone who complains of harassment or who participates in an investigation.