Food Service Sanitation

Food Service Sanitation Program

Food Safety Principles for the Tri Town Health Department
The Mission of the Tri Town Health Department is to educate, communicate, and to enforce the regulations as well as to protect the health of all foodservice customers within the three town collaborative. In 1999, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts adopted the federal food Code and this Code is what is used to monitor food compliance. For a copy of the food code, please click here.

Anyone that would like to provide services in Lee, Lenox, or Stockbridge to cater, prepare, handle, store, serve, and transport food, retail pre-packaged food, ice, water, soda, or any other products that are required by local regulation, by-law, or state statute is required to obtain a permit from the Tri Town Health Department. All operators who handle potentially hazardous food or any other types of foods required by the Tri Town Board of Health, shall have a current food safety managers certificate and an updated Allergy Awareness certificate that must be accompanied with an application

Permits are issued following a review of facility plans and menu and assuring, by inspection, compliance with food safety standards and practices. Routine inspections during operation of the food service assess the operators success in assuring that routine practices are conducted in a safe and sanitary manner.

If violations are observed and recorded during these routine inspections, they are recorded on an inspection report which becomes public information and depending on the violation, vendors may be required to cease operations.

If you witness or would like to file a complaint of a food vendor, restaurant or any general public health compliant, please contact the Health Department of fill out a compliant form on this website.


Types of Food Service Permits
Food Service Permit- Food Service permits are required for all facilities within the Lee, Lenox, and Stockbridge area if food is prepared, handled, stored, and served to the public. All food preparation shall be conducted in a Board of Health licensed kitchen. No food shall be prepared in a private home with the intent to service to the public, whether or not it is donated, sold, or given.

Retail Pre-Packaged Food- All facilities and vendors that sell pre-packaged food shall obtain a permit from the Tri Town Health Department. Pre-packaged retail food may include, but not limited to, chips, peanuts, popcorn, carbonated beverages, vending machines, pre-packed items sold in grocery stores, and other items deemed necessary by the Board of health. Pre-packaged retail food does not include alcoholic beverages.

Special Event Permit- A special event food service permit is required if food is distributed to the public in a satellite location such as special events, fairs, carnivals, or other similar events. Special event permits expire after fourteen consecutive days.

Bakery Permit- Bakery permits are required if a facility prepares and serves baked goods for the public. This is a separate permit from a food service permit.

Catering Permit- All persons transporting food for service to the public shall obtain a caterers permit. A list of equipment for hot and cold holding and a narrative on how to ensure sanitation as well as a plan to prevent potential food borne illness shall accompany the application.

Frozen Dessert License- A frozen dessert license is required for facilities that prepare and serve frozen desserts to include, but not limited to, fruit slushies, frozen desserts, frozen coffee products, frozen fruit products or other products deemed necessary by the Board of Health. Frozen Dessert does not include retail pre-packaged food or alcoholic beverages.

Farmer’s Markets- Farmers shall obtain a food service permit if food is prepared, served, retail food is sold, canned products, and if produce is adulterated. Markets that sell produce only that is not adulterated are not required to obtain a permit. Please contact the Department to verify if a permit is necessary.

Bed and Breakfast- B&Bs and may prepare and serve limited food items in a private home if the facility is approved and licensed by the Board of Health. Please contact the Department for more information.

Residential Kitchen- The Tri Town Health Department has local regulations that do not allow residential kitchens unless the space is separate from the home. Please contact Tri Town Health Department for more information.

Food Service Plan Review- Any existing or new facility within the City that modifies their existing facility and/or a new business that constructs a food preparation facility shall obtain a food service plan review application. A floor plan, equipment specifications, intended menu, and food service personnel shall accompany the application.

Complaint: This is an inspection conducted as a result of a complaint received by the health department. The specifics of the complaint will be inspected and confirmed upon receipt of the complaint. Suspension of permit to operate for imminent health hazard: The permit is suspended and a directive is given to cease and desist using unsafe portions of the facility or the entire facility to ensure public health. A hearing is not required to suspend a permit, but the opportunity must be given for a hearing after the suspension is in effect. Grounds for closure due to imminent public health risks may include but are not limited to:

  • No hot water
  • Sewage backups or overflows
  • No utilities
  • Fire
  • Pest infestation
  • Contaminated food
  • Food-borne illness outbreak
  • Inadequate refrigeration
  • Flood

Food Recalls and Food Related Complaints
The Tri Town Health Department in collaboration with the USDA and the FDA strictly monitor all food products to ensure health and quality. Unfortunately, from time to time, products are recalled and cannot be distributed to the public. For an up to date list of recalls, please click here.