Food Safety Inspections and Records
An Introduction to Inspections
Food service establishments in City of Cincinnati receive an unannounced, onsite inspection at least once a year to check if it is meeting the Ohio food code specifications. The inspector may visit anytime the restaurant is operating.
Our Health Department inspectors are licensed via Ohio Department of Health and also undergo our internal training process. Inspectors are able to identify and explain to operators which hazards contribute to food-borne illnesses and to document these accurately in an inspection report.
Inspectors will not accept or ask for money, gifts or services of any kind. All payments to this department are online at eztrak.cagis.org and cash will never be collected from you by an inspector. Legal action will be taken against any inspector who accepts a bribe. To report a bribe, or attempted bribe, or other ethics concern, call the City of Cincinnati's Ethics, Fraud, Waste, and Abuse hotline is (513) 352-4516. You can also submit an anonymous online form or a paper form at 805 Central Avenue, Suite 110, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
Food Inspection Reports
Restaurant inspections are normally conducted on a routine basis, depending on the food processes that are conducted in a facility and the risks posed to the public. The inspection reports for a food establishment can be different depending on the type of inspection that is being performed. Our inspection reports are available online or to anyone who requests them.
Types Of Inspections
Routine Inspection: This is an inspection that is unannounced to the restaurant. An inspector will conduct a complete inspection covering all items in the regulations for compliance.
Follow-up Inspection: This is an inspection for the specific purpose of re-inspecting violations that were not in compliance at the time of the routine inspection.
Critical Control Point Inspection: This type of inspection which is conducted in food service operations, involves analyzing recipes and tracking potentially hazardous foods from the loading dock to the table, to assure all food is safe and wholesome.
Process Review Inspection: This type of inspection which is conducted in retail food establishments, involves analyzing recipes and tracking potentially hazardous foods from the loading dock to the table, to assure all food is safe and wholesome.
Complaint Inspection: This is an inspection which is conducted as a result of a complaint received by the Health Department. The specifics of the complaint will be evaluated and discussed with the person in charge.
Food-borne Illness Investigation: Food-borne illness complaints are received and a food inspector conducts an inspection at the facility reported to be involved in the food-borne illness. The inspection focuses on food source, storage practices, food processing techniques, food handling and employee practices.
Training: The inspector visits the restaurant to present a formal training event for the restaurant's staff.
Variance Review: If a facility has a variance issued by ODH or ODA, the inspector will review variance procedures and compare it to field observations and document violations under item #37 on the food inspection report.
Inspection Records
Each inspection report is a "snapshot" of a restaurant's conditions on the day and time of that inspection. On any given day, an establishment may have more or fewer violations than posted here. Any individual inspection may not be representative of the overall, long-term condition of the establishment.
For general information regarding the date and status of inspections at specific addresses within the City of Cincinnati, please visit ezTrak at the link below. To view records for food licenses issued and food inspections completed prior to 2024: go to ezTrak, search for a particular address then click on "Food Service". For food licenses and inspections completed beginning in 2024: go to ezTrak, search for an address then click on the "Other" tab. NOTE: Access to more detailed records for inspections completed (containing more information about the specific violations cited for a particular address) is planned for early 2025.
If you encounter a problem or have a concern while visiting a retail food establishment or food service operation, tell the manager and ask that it be corrected.
If you are not satisfied with the response, or if you have a suspected food borne illness to report, contact our office immediately by telephone or online by using https://cagis.hamilton-co.org/311// (Request Service, address, type of service, select "Food Operations"). All complaints will be investigated.