The mission of the Food Protection unit is to protect the NH food supply and prevent food borne illnesses.  The Food Protection unit does this by licensing and inspecting NH establishments where food is produced, manufactured, stored or sold.  The unit also investigates complaints from consumers and reports of food borne disease outbreaks.

The Food Protection unit provides information and assistance about how to license a variety of different food establishments including but not limited to: restaurants; retail grocery stores; caterers; packers of potentially hazardous food; bakeries; schools; private, state and county institutions; mobile food units; food processors; dairy producers and plants; commercial shellfish processors; and beverage and bottled water plants.