Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) contracts with Perry County Health Department (PCHD) to respond to emergency incidents involving food such as truck wrecks, train derailments, fires, floods etc. An inspection and assessment of the food is conducted as soon as possible after the incident.

The purpose of the program is to prevent damaged human food from re-entering commerce. The Environmental Public Health Specialist and staff are on call 24 hours a day, seven days per week. When an incident occurs, the Missouri Highway Patrol or local law enforcement will contact the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Situation Room who in turn contacts the PCHD. The Environmental Specialist will respond as needed.

When working with distressed foods - the PCHD is again contracted with the MDHSS to inspect and ensure the safety of all foods. If food products have been compromised in any way (flood, weather, fire, etc.) the Environmental Public Health Specialist may embargo and/or retain foods until they are properly disposed of or salvaged. Questions regarding Food issues can be addressed by the Environmental Staff at the Perry County Health Department and or by contacting MDHSS at www.dhss.mo.gov.

Please phone the Perry County Health Department at 573-547-6564 for information pertaining to Safe Food Salvage.