BOARD:

Paul C. Aughtry, III
Chairman

Edwin H. Cooper, III
Vice Chairman

Steven G. Kisner
Secretary

D H E C

PROMOTE PROTECT PROSPER

C. Earl Hunter, Commissioner

Promoting and protecting the health of the public and the environment

BOARD:

Henry C. Scott

M. David Mitchell, MD

Glenn A. McCall

Coleman F. Buckhouse, MD

April 6, 2009

Dear Mr. Rensi

I have been asked to answer your request for information regarding the regulation of patron footwear in retail food service, restaurants and grocery stores. SCDHEC Regulation 61-25, Retail Food Establishments, does not have any clothing or footwear restrictions or requirements for patrons. Food establishment employees are required in Chapter 3.D.1. to wear clean clothing as part of maintaining a high degree of personal cleanliness. There may be cities and counties in South Carolina that do have separate ordinances requiring footwear, but they are not enforced by the Department.

Sincerely,

(signed)

Sandra Craig
Director, Division of Food Protection
SC Department of Health and Environmental Control

cc: Mr. Paul Aughtry DHEC Board Chairman
Lisa Lucas Longshore, Clerk of the Board

SDC:rrr

SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
2600 Bull Street * Columbia, SC 29201 * Phone: (803)898-3432 * www.scdhec.gov