SCDA Now in Charge of Restaurant Inspections, Milk Safety, More
As of July 1, many food safety duties that were part of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) are now handled by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA).
The change is a result of legislation passed in May 2023 that eliminated DHEC and divided its programs among existing and new agencies.
- Our new Retail Food Safety department regulates restaurant kitchens, grocery store delis, caterers, school cafeterias, some convenience stores, and certain other establishments that prepare food for on-site consumption.
- Milk Safety regulates fluid milk and grade “A” milk products such as yogurt.
- SCDA’s Laboratory Services department has taken over the Milk Lab and will be responsible for testing fluid milk samples and some milk products.
- Businesses that were regulated by the former DHEC Manufactured Foods program – including ice, soft drinks, bottled water, frozen desserts, butter and cheese – are now regulated by SCDA’s existing Food Safety program, which oversees food manufacturing at the wholesale level.
While retail food safety officers are now based in the regions where they work, all administration has been centralized at SCDA’s State Farmers Market Campus. DHEC’s regional offices are no longer accepting payments or services relating to Retail Food Safety.
SCDA is committed to customer service and excited to take on these new responsibilities. During the transition period, we ask for patience from the public and inspected establishments as we continue to adjust our staffing and procedures.
What Changed?
- A new look for decals, manuals, forms, and other materials
- Online applications and fee payment
- No more regional offices: Food safety is headquartered in Lexington County, with regionally based inspectors working from their vehicles, creating efficiency for customers
- One agency for Food Safety: SCDA now regulates food safety in South Carolina with the exception of meat and poultry
What Stayed the Same?
- Regulations: The laws governing food safety have not changed
- Staff: DHEC food safety staff became part of SCDA
- Other food safety programs: SCDA continues to regulate wholesale food safety, feed safety, produce safety and other programs as before
- Cottage Foods: The South Carolina Home-based Food Production Law remains in effect
Key Contacts
SCDA main line
803-734-2210
Consumer Protection Division main line
803-737-9700
123 Ballard Court, West Columbia, SC 29172
Retail Food Safety
retailfood@scda.sc.gov
803-896-0640
350 Ballard Court, West Columbia, SC 29172
Milk Safety
milksafety@scda.sc.gov
803-896-0523
117 Ballard Court, West Columbia, SC 29172
Laboratory Services
803-737-9700
123 Ballard Court, West Columbia, SC 29172
Food Safety (food manufacturing, RVCs)
RVCregistration@scda.sc.gov
803-737-0147
123 Ballard Court, West Columbia, SC 29172
