Montgomery County Health Department staff believe food safety affects every member of the community. Restaurant inspection reports and health code violations provide the community with important public information while encouraging transparency and accountability.
It is with that goal in mind that the MCHD is again supplying regular restaurant inspection reports to the Journal Review. It is the intent of both the local newspaper and the county agency to keep the public informed.
The MCHD recognizes that most restaurants in Montgomery County work hard every day to meet health standards. Publishing these inspection reports will help consumers make informed decisions about where to eat and promote higher food safety standards across the county. Just as importantly, it’s a reminder that public health is a shared responsibility one that involves restaurant owners, employees, health inspectors, and diners alike.
A New Food Code
Indiana has adopted a new food code, 410 IAC 7-26, which took effect in 2025. Under this updated code, any violation noted on an inspection report will now be classified as one of three types: a Core item, a Priority item, or a Priority Foundation item. This replaces the former “critical” and “non-critical” designations used in the past.
To help readers understand better what these classifications mean, here are the definitions:
• Priority (P) Violations: These are violations directly related to foodborne illness risk factors, such as improper cooking, reheating, cooling, or handwashing practices. Because these items pose the most direct risk to public health, they generally require the fastest correction.
• Priority Foundation (Pf) Violations: These violations support the control of Priority items by ensuring the right tools, systems, or training are in place. Examples include a missing food thermometer, missing sanitizer test strips, or a lack of required documentation or employee training.
• Core (CORE) Violations: These are typically related to general sanitation, facility maintenance, equipment design, or standard operating procedures. While important to overall cleanliness and operations, Core violations do not directly relate to foodborne illness risk.
As you read through the inspection reports published as part of the Local Record, you will see these designations used to describe any violations found. The MCHD encourages readers to view this information in context. A violation noted during an inspection does not necessarily mean a restaurant is unsafe; rather, it reflects an area identified for correction, most of which are addressed quickly by the establishment.
The Montgomery County Health Department is committed to working with local restaurants and the community to keep food safety as a shared priority. Questions about an inspection report, a type of violation, or the new food code in general, contact the MCHD at 765-361-4134.
