8930 Stanford Blvd
Entrance to the right side of building
Columbia, MD 21045
United States
Food Protection Program
The Food Protection Program is responsible for ensuring that all retail food service facilities in Howard County serve food that is free from disease or contamination. Our Program licenses facilities such as restaurants, grocery and convenience stores, and school cafeterias. Licenses are also issued to mobile and temporary food vendors operating within Howard County. In addition to inspecting and monitoring retail food facilities, we assist State and Federal authorities with food recalls and illness investigations.

Opening a New Restaurant or Food Service Facility
Are you interested in opening a food service facility but your operation/plans don’t seem to fit the information outlined in the Plan Review Construction or Remodeling of Permanent Food Service Facilities FAQ? The Howard County Health Department is currently offering Wednesday morning time slots for restaurateurs/potential operators to discuss unique plans, operational procedures, or plan review process questions with a member of the plan review team. Please call the Food Protection Program at 410-313-1772 to sign up for a time slot from 8:30am -12pm. Note: these meeting slots are not intended for projects already under review by the plan review section. Contact the plan reviewer for questions regarding projects that are currently under review.
Foodborne Illness Complaint: Call us immediately at 410-313-1772. After business hours, leave a message with callback information.
Non-illness Complaint at a Restaurant/Food Facility: Fill out a Health Related Issues Complaint Form.
Construction or Remodeling of a Food Service Facility: Plan Review
Food Trucks/Carts (mobile units)
Other Facilities (Farmers Markets, Cottage Food)