Food Safety

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Food Handlers

Frequently Asked Questions about Takeout and Food Safety

The Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Section administers state laws, rules, and regulations for retail food stores and manufacturing firms processing and storing food products. Our primary goal is to protect the health and economic welfare of our citizens. The Department of Agriculture does not license or inspect restaurants, which are under the jurisdiction of the Tennessee Department of Health.   

Complaints

To register a complaint about a prepackaged food product manufactured outside of Tennessee and purchased at a retail food store, call the U.S. Food and Drug Administration toll-free at 1-866-289-3399.

For complaints about a food item manufactured in Tennessee, you can fill out this form and email it to Complaints.Food@tn.gov or fax it to 615-837-5335. 

Questions?

Call the Consumer and Industry Services Food Safety Section:  615-837-5193.

FDA: Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) questions and answers can be found here.