Maryland Department of Health
Office of Food Protection

Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

​​​​​​​​​​​​​MDH​ > Office of Food Protection​​​

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is committed to ensuring the safety and availability of Maryland’s food supply 

during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency.​​

COVID-19 Information

New! Effective Saturday May 15, 2021, all restrictions on restaurants are lifted, including face covering requirements. Businesses are still encouraged to follow CDC guidelines​ and may still put in place their own policies with respect to masking. You can read the press release about restaurants here, and the MDH guidance for food establishments here. The press release about lifting the mask mandate can be found here ​as well as FAQs on face coverings here.
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MDH strongly recom​mends that all non-vaccinated individuals over the age of 2 years continue to wear face coverings in all indoor settings outside of their home and in outdoor settings when physical distancing cannot be maintained. 

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Licensing Information

New! The Governor’s Executive Or​der 21-06-15-01 terminates Order No. 21-03-09-03 ​​​which extended the expiration date of all licenses, permits, registrations, and other authorizations effective August 15, 2021. This applies to licenses and permits that would otherwise expire by June 30, 2021 and be renewable. If your business license/permit under the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) Office of Food Protection has already expired or is about to expire and you intend to operate your business after June 30, 2021, you must renew your MDH license/permit n​​​o later than August 15, 2021.  After that point, your business status will be indicated as "Out of Business" and you will be required to apply for a new license, which may include a new plan review.  ​

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If you have a food-related complaint, please complete our Complaint Form​.
 
For other food-related questions please email: mdh.envhealth@maryland.gov
 
 
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Click here to return to MDH Office of Food Protection Home
 
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This page was last updated 6/30/2021