Licensing

SAFHER Transition: The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) changed databases for food and lodging licensing and inspections on October 20, 2026.

1. The previous USA Food Safety system is longer available to use. 
2. Visit the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing website at https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/food-establishments-hotels to create your new SAFHER account. This is where you will receive renewal invoices, messages, etc.

• If you had an active USA Food Safety account, your account moved to SAFHER.
• Utilize this step-by-step instruction guide.

3. Login to the SAFHER database: https://safher-portal.dial.iowa.gov/safher-portal

Learn more here: https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/food-establishments-hotels/food-resources/safher-transition-faq 

 

Licensing

The Scott County Health Department is where to go for licensing the following food establishments in Scott County.

• Food Service Establishments
• Retail Food Establishment
• Mobile / Pushcarts
• Farmers Markets
• Home Food Processing Establishments (HFPEs)
• Cottage Foods
• Mass Gatherings
• Vending Machines
• Temporary Food Service

For new establishments:

• Requirements for opening a new food service (FSE) or retail food (FE) establishment

Food Processing Plants

Food processing plants licensing is conducted by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing https://dial.iowa.gov/ 

Food Rescue

Instead of throwing your excess food away, learn more about food rescue!  The Scott County Health Department participates in a community coalition, the Food Rescue Partnership.  For more information on the Food Rescue Partnership, visit:

• https://foodrescueqc.org/
• https://www.facebook.com/foodrescueqc
  
   

Iowa State University Food Innovation and Business Hub

• https://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodinnovation/