District of Columbia (DC)

HACCP plans in District of Columbia

What the FDA's 2024 Food Code adoption report lists for District of Columbia, what we have and have not verified, and how to find out where a HACCP plan or variance goes.

Reviewed October 8, 2026 3 official sources cited
Food Code edition
2009 Food Code
Edition check
Not yet verified
Local rules checked
None yet

Which Food Code edition District of Columbia uses

The FDA report on Food Code adoption (calendar year 2024 (period ending december 31, 2024)) lists District of Columbia as using the 2009 Food Code.

ClearHACCP builds plans to the FDA Food Code 2022 and prints the section next to every limit. We have not yet verified how District of Columbia's edition compares, so plans for District of Columbia are checked by a person. Older editions also call for HACCP plans and variances for special processes, but paragraph numbers and some details differ. Ask your plan reviewer which edition and forms they work from.

Agencies the FDA report lists

AgencyEditionAs reported
District of Columbia Department of Health 2009 Restaurants and retail food stores. Manual long-form. Effective 2012.

Agency names and editions are copied as printed in the FDA report. A state can adopt a newer edition after the report period.

Where a HACCP plan or variance goes in District of Columbia

Check with your health department

We have not verified District of Columbia's submission route, fees or forms yet. In most places the HACCP plan goes to the city or county health department that issues your food permit; some states review special processes centrally. Ask before you start, and ask whether they use their own HACCP or variance form.

Start with District of Columbia Department of Health.

What needs a HACCP plan

Under the FDA Food Code 2022, a restaurant needs a HACCP plan before it starts any process that needs a variance, or before it vacuum packs without one:

FDA Food Code 2022, 8-201.13(A)

Before engaging in an activity that requires a HACCP PLAN, a PERMIT applicant or PERMIT HOLDER shall submit to the REGULATORY AUTHORITY for approval a properly prepared HACCP PLAN as specified under § 8-201.14 and the relevant provisions of this Code if:

In a restaurant that usually means sous vide and cook-chill, vacuum packing, acidified sushi rice, curing and smoking to preserve.

Ready to start? Build a plan for a District of Columbia kitchen, free until you download.

Frequently asked questions

Does District of Columbia require a HACCP plan for sous vide?
The FDA Food Code requires one for sous vide and cook-chill in a restaurant (3-502.12(D) in the 2022 edition). The FDA report lists District of Columbia as using the 2009 Food Code; we have not verified how District of Columbia applies it. Ask your health department which forms its plan reviewers use. Check your process free.
Who approves HACCP plans in District of Columbia?
The regulatory authority for your permit, which in most places is your city or county health department, sometimes a state agency. We have not verified the submission route for District of Columbia yet. The state agency listed on this page can point you to the right office.
Will a ClearHACCP plan work here?
Plans are built to the FDA Food Code 2022 and print the section for every limit. If your health department runs an older edition or adds rules, tell us what it asks for and we revise the plan free for 12 months. Only your regulatory authority approves a plan.

Sources

  1. FDA, Adoption of the FDA Food Code by State and Territorial Agencies Responsible for the Oversight of Restaurants and/or Retail Food Stores (2024 report)
  2. FDA, Food Code adoption by state (overview page)
  3. FDA Food Code 2022, full text (PDF)

Every temperature, time and pH on this page is quoted from the FDA Food Code 2022 with its section number. Your state or county may run an older edition or add its own rules, and only your regulatory authority approves a HACCP plan or grants a variance. This page explains the rules in plain words; it is not legal advice.

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