Division of Environmental Health Food Safety and Sanitation Program

Food service operations may prepare food on-site before serving or they may provide consumers with ready-to-eat food. The food can be sold or provided free of charge and consumers may eat the food on or off the premises.

Food service operations are regulated by the Alaska Food Code (18 AAC 31). Common types of food service are included below.

Catering

Weddings, open houses, parties

Employees and Guests

Galleys, mess halls, mining camps, bed and breakfasts, lodges, remote camps

Institutions

Hospitals, nursing homes, correctional facilities, other places of care or custody

Mobile Food Units

Food trucks, push carts

Organizations

Clubs, associations, nonprofits, religious congregations, community groups

Restaurants and Drive-Thrus

Restaurants, delis, take-outs, drive-ins and drive-thrus, coffee huts

Schools

School lunch programs, head start centers, concession stands

Temporary Food Service

Food booths at fairs, farmers markets, and other local events

Other

Taverns and bars

These establishments include those that offer food commodities for retail sale to consumers, distribute food items to the needy as part of a nonprofit organization, or store food products before sale or distribution.

Markets are regulated by the Alaska Food Code (18 AAC 31). Common types of markets are listed below.

Convenience Stores

Food is primarily sold as prepackaged foods, self-service beverages, and fresh and whole produce

Food Banks

Nonprofit organizations that receive donated food items and distribute them to people in need

Groceries, Food Hubs, Farmers Markets

A variety of food items are offered for sale to consumers; items purchased are intended to be consumed off-site

Retail Bakeries

Baked goods are produced onsite to be sold to consumers

Retail Marijuana Stores

Entities registered to purchase cannabis and cannabis products and sell those items to consumers

Retail Meat Markets

Meat is offered for onsite sale to consumers; limited processing of the meat products may be done

Retail Seafood Markets

Raw or ready-to-eat seafood products are displayed for onsite sale to consumers

Supermarkets

Facilities with a grocery and two or more other types of operations that are subject to permitting under the Alaska Food Code

The food processed is intended for human consumption and is distributed to a food service, market, or other consumer outlet.

Food processing establishments are regulated by the Alaska Food Code (18 AAC 31). Common food processing activities are listed below.

Baked Goods

Baked food items, such as breads, cookies, rolls, muffins, pies, and cakes for wholesale distribution

Bottled Beverages

Bottled beverages, except water (See Ice and Bottled Water)

Coffee Roasting

Roasting coffee beans and packing whole or ground beans for sale or use at another location, wholesale sales

Curing, Acidification, Dehydration, Reduced Oxygen Packaging

Foods are produced using one or more of these methods

Ice and Bottled Water

Ice manufacturing, sealing water in bottles or other containers for distribution and human consumption

Jellies and Confections

Jams, jellies, syrups, or confections

Low Acid Food

Thermal processing and canning of low acid foods

Marijuana Manufacturing

Edible cannabis products and cannabis concentrates

Warehousing

Storing food items before distribution in a facility that is used primarily for storage and distribution activities

Other Processing

Food processing using methods not included above: Juicing, freezing, milling, fermenting, blending, and other activities