- How do I file a complaint against a food outlet?
The complaint can be filed one of three ways:
- Call the health department at 765-651-2401 ext 3123 or 3111 and we will take a verbal complaint by telephone.
- Come to our office and fill out a complaint form in person.
- Request a complaint form be mailed to you. Once completed you can mail it back in or bring it in to the office.
- Fill out the complaint form on the website and email it to foods@grantcounty.net.
We prefer to have the name, address, and telephone number of the complainant, so we can notify you of the action taken on your complaint.
- How many food outlets are there in Grant County?
There are currently over 350 food outlets.
- How often do you inspect? Do the food outlets know when you are coming to inspect?
All retail food outlets are inspected twice per year during unannounced inspections. We return more frequently if follow-up inspections are required or if we receive a complaint.
- What establishments are inspected by the Grant County Health Dept.?
We inspect all retail food outlets including hotels, motels, restaurants, markets, taverns, convenience stores, grocery stores, school cafeterias, food booths, and concession trailers at fairs and festivals, mobile food sales trucks, non-profit meal sites, and bed & breakfasts.
- What should I do if I'm interested in buying or building a food outlet?
Please contact the Environmental Health Specialist in the Food Division BEFORE purchasing a food outlet so that you can review the outlets past inspections. When you assume ownership, you are responsible for bringing the establishment into compliance with the Indiana State Health Code. Before remodeling or building a food outlet, you are required to submit blueprints and plans for review and approval.
- What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is an acute, viral-borne inflammation of the liver.
- Generally acquired through contaminated food,
- The liver is an organ with several important functions. Your liver converts dietary nutrients into useful substances and breaks down toxins and chemicals.
- Hepatitis A is a type of hepatitis caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV).
- Numerous other types of viral and non-viral hepatitis also exist, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and alcohol-related hepatitis.
Hepatitis A Transmission
You can get hepatitis A if HAV, which is present in feces and blood, gets into your body through your mouth.
The virus is passed between people through the "fecal-oral route," which can occur:
- When an infected person touches objects or food after going to the bathroom and failing to wash his or her hands properly.
- When someone doesn't wash properly after handling diapers or cleaning up the stool of an infected person.
- During sex with an infected person, particularly if it involves direct or indirect anal-oral contact or anal sex in which sanitary measures aren't taken afterward.
You can also get hepatitis A by ingesting food or water contaminated with feces containing HAV.