All food establishments (including restaurants, bars or taverns, grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, meat markets, food packaging facilities and produce growing operations that sell produce to other food establishments) in Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, McLean, Renville, Sheridan and Ward counties are licensed by and regulated by the Environmental Health Division of the First District Health Unit (FDHU). 

Food establishment licenses are valid from January 1 to December 31 each year.  Food establishment licenses are not transferable and there is no prorating of license fees.  License fees are set according to the FDHU fee schedule.   Click here to view or download a FDHU food establishment license application.

The rules for FDHU food establishments are found in the First District Health Unit Requirements for Food and Beverage Establishments, also known as the Food Code.  The most recent version of the Food Code went into effect July 1, 2016.  A link to the 2016 Food Code and its Index can be found at the bottom of this page.

All food establishments are subject to inspection by the FDHU Environmental Health Division during times that they are open for business or when food preparation is occurring.

Education & Training

Those employees at licensed food establishments that cook food, prepare or handle food, or that wash dishes or clean food contact equipment are required to complete the FDHU Food Safety Training within 45 days of hire.  Employees that pass the Food Safety Training receive a card that is valid for three years.  Employees shall have their Food Safety Card available for review at all times while working in a food establishment.  The training can be obtained by either attending a live class or by viewing the FDHU Food Safety Training DVD.  Please see the heading "Food Safety for Food Service Employees" for a complete listing of class options and other information.

If you have further questions you may contact:

Jake Windsor, inspector for the City of Minot: (701)-721-1709 or jwindsor@nd.gov

Jo Gourneau, inspector for the City of Minot: jdgourneau@nd.gov

Jayme Calavera, inspector for McLean and southern Ward Counties: (701)-721-0547 or jcalavera@nd.gov

Carolyn Linster, inspector for McHenry and central Ward Counties: (701)-500-9587 or calinster@nd.gov 

Larry Knight, inspector for Bottineau, Burke, Renville, Sheridan and northern Ward Counties: (701)-721-1811 or ljknight@nd.gov

Jim Heckman, Director of Environmental Health: (701)-852-1376 or jheckman@nd.gov

For 24 hour filing of consumer complaints about food establishments, please use the following link:

http://www.ndhealth.gov/FoodLodging/

For additional information about food safety and foodborne illnesses visit http://www.fda.gov/default.htm.