Who We Are

The Consumer Health Program is comprised of a team of Registered Environmental Health Specialists (REHS). These highly skilled, licensed professionals inspect a variety of facilities, perform public health investigations, conduct plan reviews, conduct training classes, and enforce public health regulations.

What We Do

Services & Activities

Health inspection supervisors and staff work to serve contracting communities and county government. These services are part of the department’s contractual agreements, which facilitate municipal compliance with state public health regulations. A combination of supervisory and direct services are provided to approximately 30 contracting towns. A summary of program activities includes the following:

Retail Food Inspections, Outbreak Investigations, and Training

Inspections: 

• Conduct biennial routine retail food establishment inspections
• Perform required Reinspections and Pre-Operational Inspections
• Conduct Complaint Investigations and Emergency Occurrence Investigations
• Take necessary enforcement actions

Food-Borne Outbreak Investigations:

• Test suspect food samples
• Collaborate with public health investigation team (Health Educators, Epidemiologist, Public Health Nurses)

Food Safety Training:

Food safety courses are available to the public and food establishment workforce to reduce the threat of food-borne communicable diseases through education.

Register for a Food Handler or Food Manager Training Course

18-hour Food Manager Courses and 3-hour Food Handler Classes are offered in multiple languages throughout the year

• Expert classes are developed and taught for specialized community groups or establishments depending on needs.

Childhood Lead Program

Visit the Childhood Lead Program page for more information on how our case managers:

• Identify children with elevated levels of lead in their blood
• Conduct Environmental intervention/Full Hazard Assessments
• Educate families about the effects of elevated blood lead level
• Schedule free capillary lead screenings

Facility Inspections

• Tanning
• Body Art, Tattoo, Permanent Cosmetics
• Youth Camps
• Kennels, Pet Shops, Shelters and Pounds

Public Recreational Bathing Inspections 

• Facilities, including swimming pools, wading pools, bathing beaches, spas, splash pads and aquatic recreational facilities are inspected for compliance with state public recreational bathing regulations prior to opening for the season
• Water Chemistry and bacteria levels are monitored weekly by private environmental laboratories with REHS oversight to prevent disease
• Seasonal and year-round public recreational bathing facilities are inspected at least twice annually.
• If appropriate, enforcement actions are taken
• Conduct Complaint and Emergency Occurrence Investigations

On-Site Wastewater Disposal System Safety

• Review engineering plans for residential and commercial septic systems
• Maintain oversight of new/existing septic system installations, repairs and alterations
• Monitor and enforce discharge of residential and commercial wastewater
• Conduct Complaint and Emergency Occurrence Investigations

Potable Water – Private Wells

• Maintain oversight of the installation and abandonment of wells on private property
• Monitor the quality of private well water

Rabies Control, Prevention and Education

• Conduct animal bite and exposure investigations in collaboration with Animal Control Services
• Management of Domestic Animal Rabies Exposures
• Provide education and guidance for post-exposure prophylaxis
• Report All Animal Bites and Exposures:
  • By Email: animalbites@co.bergen.nj.us – *PREFERRED REPORTING METHOD*.
  • By Fax: 201-634-2808
  • By Phone: 201-634-2730
  • Contact your local police for emergencies.

Environmental Health Investigations

• Conduct public health nuisance complaint investigations
• If appropriate, enforcement actions are taken.
• Report complaints to the REHS Duty Officer Line – 201-634-2730
• Respond to emergency incidents such as fires, power outages, sewage back-ups and flooding 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

REHS Duty Officer Line – 201-634-2730