National Food Safety Education Month - Food Safety Guide: S.C. Government

South Carolina State Government Agencies - Food Safety

During an investigation of foodborne illness or a recall, federal government agencies may work with state agencies such as:

• South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) - Provides South Carolina retail and industry food safety tips and planning information. Includes permit forms, applications, regulations, codes, inspection guidelines, retail emergency plans, and consumer information. 
  • SCDHEC Food Safety – Educational Materials
  • SCDHEC Food Safety for restaurants and industry.
  • SCDHEC Risk-Based Inspections explains risk-based inspections and grading of SC retail food establishments and the 5 major risk factors related to employee safety and preparation practices. Includes explanations for the A, B, or C food grade ratings, and information about fish consumption advisories, food and water-borne illnesses, and food poisoning. 
• South Carolina Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Compliance Department (SCFSC)- Food Safety & Compliance ensures that foods are manufactured and marketed under safe and sanitary conditions through routine surveillance inspections. Inspectors ensure that food is pure and wholesome, safe to eat, and properly labeled according to food safety laws and regulations. The department regulates non-meat and poultry foods manufactured for wholesale distribution.
• South Carolina Meat-Poultry Inspection Department (SCMPID) - SCMPID provides a comprehensive inspection service to assure that meat and poultry products are safe, wholesome and accurately labeled.
• South Carolina Food Safety and Inspection Service Statistics: FSIS promotional flyer for meat, poultry, and processed egg product statistics in South Carolina. 

Farmers' Markets and Roadside Markets 

• The Farmers' Markets and Roadside Markets map created by SCDHEC shows the location, hours of operation, website link, and accepted payment types for more than 350 farmers' markets, roadside produce stands, and food pantries in South Carolina. 

 SC Department of Agriculture (SCDA) 

• SCDA's Community-Based Farmers Market provides a list of community-based farmers' Markets. You can scroll through the list of 120+ markets, filter by county, or search by specific name. Market links include addresses, payment types, websites, and hours of operation. 
• SCDA's Agritourism Farms often offers fresh farm products for sale and they are open to the public at specified times. The website provides a location map, a short description of the farms, contact information, farm attractions, accommodations, special event space if available, and admission information. Go here to learn more about agritourism and the South Carolina 2022 Agritourism Passport Program. 

The SC Food Grades app from SCDHEC makes finding risk-based inspection grades much faster and easier! Using a Map Search or Advanced Search, inspection reports of South Carolina restaurants, delis, school cafeterias, grocery stores, retail meat markets, bakeries, seafood markets, and convenience stores can be quickly located.

The Map Search reveals PDF copies of the last two inspections of permitted retail food establishments. Scroll through the map to locate establishments throughout South Carolina. Select Find My Location on the map to locate establishments near you. It even has an Imagery view with labels which is great for navigation or if you can't remember the name of a restaurant but know where it's located. 

To see inspection reports covering the last 3 years, use the Advanced Search. You can search by establishment name (use correct spelling), inspection grade, facility type, location, or any search field combination. Results will display in a table format with PDF copies of the inspections available to read or download. 

SC Food Grades is an excellent tool to use while traveling in South Carolina, before going out to eat, or choosing a restaurant for a group!

Scan for quick access to SC Food Grades:

If you are traveling to Mecklenburg County, NC, see Mecklenburg County Inspection Management System, for restaurant inspection grades and scores. The search form offers several categories to refine your search. The results are presented in chart format with links to PDF inspection reports. This application provides inspection reports for a variety of establishment types including hospitals, nursing homes, water recreation facilities, and tattoo artists.

Scan for quick access to Mecklenburg County Restaurant and Facilities Inspection Scores.