The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing inspects and licenses restaurants, bars and taverns (including those that only serve beverages), cafeterias, delicatessens, catering operations, mobile food units, farmer’s markets, temporary food events, hotel breakfast bars, vending machines, grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries (including home bakeries), as well as hotels, motels, and inns (including bed-and-breakfast inns) in 68 counties. DIAL contracts with 11 local health departments to manage licensing and inspection for these business in the other 31 counties.
DIAL also regulates food processing plants and food warehouses in all 99 counties.
Food Processing Authorities Directory
The Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) has a directory of food processing authorities on their website. These authorities make sure food a licensee's processes and equipment are up to the appropriate standards, as well as validate the equipment and processes for specialized food.