What the Rules Say

The FDA Food Code on Pests: Every Section a County Inspector Cites

Written for: Restaurant owners and managers, kitchen managers, multi-unit operators, the people who read inspection reports

The pest lines on a Utah inspection report come from the FDA Food Code. Utah adopted the 2022 edition by rule (Utah R392-100), and Salt Lake County’s own regulation numbers follow it closely enough that each county code on a report maps to one Food Code section. This page quotes every pest-related section of the 2022 Food Code, with FDA’s own explanation of why the rule exists from Annex 3, and the county code that cites it.

The Food Code marks some provisions with a P (priority item) or Pf (priority foundation item); the letters are printed in the quotations below as they appear. Words in capitals are terms the Code defines.

Outer openings (6-202.15)

County code: 4.6.15, “Outer Openings-Protected.” This is the single most common pest-related line in Salt Lake County (what inspectors cite).

6-202.15 Outer Openings, Protected. (A) Except as specified in ¶¶ (B), (C), and (E) and under ¶ (D) of this section, outer openings of a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT shall be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by: (1) Filling or closing holes and other gaps along floors, walls, and ceilings; (2) Closed, tight-fitting windows; and (3) Solid, self-closing, tight-fitting doors. — FDA Food Code 2022, § 6-202.15(A), Chapter 6 p. 4

(D) Except as specified in ¶¶ (B) and (E) of this section, if the windows or doors of a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT, or of a larger structure within which a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT is located, are kept open for ventilation or other purposes or a TEMPORARY FOOD ESTABLISHMENT is not provided with windows and doors as specified under ¶ (A) of this section, the openings shall be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by: (1) 16 mesh to 25.4 mm (16 mesh to 1 inch) screens; (2) Properly designed and installed air curtains to control flying insects; or (3) Other effective means. — FDA Food Code 2022, § 6-202.15(D), Chapter 6 p. 4

Paragraph (B) exempts an establishment that opens into a larger protected structure such as a mall or airport; paragraph (C) lets a designated emergency exit be non-self-closing if it is solid, tight-fitting and used only as an emergency exit; paragraph (E) lifts the screen requirement where flying insects and other pests are absent because of location, weather or another limiting condition.

FDA’s reason:

Insects and rodents are vectors of disease-causing microorganisms which may be transmitted to humans by contamination of food and food-contact surfaces. The presence of insects and rodents is minimized by protecting outer openings to the food establishment. — FDA Food Code 2022, Annex 3, Public Health Reasons, 6-202.15

The intent of subparagraph 6-202.15(A)(3) is to protect food establishments from the entry of insects and rodents by keeping doors closed when not in use. Self-closing devices allow a door to return to its closed position after use. — FDA Food Code 2022, Annex 3, Public Health Reasons, 6-202.15

What this means on a report: a gap under the back door, a door propped open for air, a missing screen, or a hole where a pipe comes through the wall is cited here. It is not a finding that pests are present. The fix is physical: a sweep, a closer, a screen, sealant. The Exclusion Walk is organized around this section.

Controlling pests (6-501.111)

County code: 4.6.50, “Controlling Pests” (a critical item in the regulation; the county also uses a non-critical form of the same code for the inspect-deliveries, inspect-premises and harborage sub-items).

6-501.111 Controlling Pests. The PREMISES shall be maintained free of insects, rodents, and other pests. The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests shall be controlled to eliminate their presence on the PREMISES by: (A) Routinely inspecting incoming shipments of FOOD and supplies; (B) Routinely inspecting the PREMISES for evidence of pests; — FDA Food Code 2022, § 6-501.111, Chapter 6 p. 9

(C) Using methods, if pests are found, such as trapping devices or other means of pest control as specified under §§ 7-202.12, 7-206.12, and 7-206.13; Pf and (D) Eliminating harborage conditions. — FDA Food Code 2022, § 6-501.111, Chapter 6 p. 10

FDA’s reason:

Insects and other pests are capable of transmitting disease to humans by contaminating food and food-contact surfaces. Effective measures must be taken to eliminate their presence in food establishments. — FDA Food Code 2022, Annex 3, Public Health Reasons, 6-501.111

What this means on a report: the inspector saw a pest, or evidence of one (flies, a cockroach, droppings). Note what the section asks for besides treatment: inspecting deliveries, inspecting the premises, and removing harborage. The Delivery Inspection Card and the self-inspection checklist are those two duties written down.

Removing dead or trapped pests (6-501.112)

County code: 4.6.51, “Removing Dead or Trapped Birds, Insects, Rodents and Other Pests.”

6-501.112 Removing Dead or Trapped Birds, Insects, Rodents, and Other Pests. Dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents, and other pests shall be removed from control devices and the PREMISES at a frequency that prevents their accumulation, decomposition, or the attraction of pests. — FDA Food Code 2022, § 6-501.112, Chapter 6 p. 10

FDA’s reason:

Dead rodents, birds, and insects must be removed promptly from the facilities to ensure clean and sanitary facilities and to preclude exacerbating the situation by allowing carcasses to attract other pests. — FDA Food Code 2022, Annex 3, Public Health Reasons, 6-501.112

What this means on a report: dead cockroaches after a bait treatment, a full glue board, a mouse in a snap trap. The treatment may be working. The cadavers are their own line. This is common enough, and surprising enough to managers, that it has its own page: Dead pests are their own line.

Insect control devices (6-202.13)

County code: 4.6.13, “Insect Control Devices-Design and Installation.” The 2022 Food Code covers design and installation in one section; there are no separate section numbers.

6-202.13 Insect Control Devices, Design and Installation. — FDA Food Code 2022, § 6-202.13, Chapter 6 p. 3

(A) Insect control devices that are used to electrocute or stun flying insects shall be designed to retain the insect within the device. (B) Insect control devices shall be installed so that: (1) The devices are not located over a FOOD preparation area; and (2) Dead insects and insect fragments are prevented from being impelled onto or falling on exposed FOOD; clean EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, and LINENS; and unwrapped SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES. — FDA Food Code 2022, § 6-202.13, Chapter 6 p. 4

FDA’s reason:

Insect electrocution devices are considered supplemental to good sanitation practices in meeting the Code requirement for controlling the presence of flies and other insects in a food establishment. — FDA Food Code 2022, Annex 3, Public Health Reasons, 6-202.13

Exposed food and food-contact surfaces must be protected from contamination by insects or insect parts. Installation of the device over food preparation areas or in close proximity to exposed food and/or food-contact surfaces could allow dead insects and/or insect parts to be impelled by the electric charge, fall, or be blown from the device onto food or food-contact surfaces. — FDA Food Code 2022, Annex 3, Public Health Reasons, 6-202.13

What this means on a report: a fly strip hanging over the prep table or the drink station, or a zapper over the line. The device is allowed; the place is not. Move it to the back-of-house wall away from food, or take it down.

Poisonous or toxic materials (7-201.11, 7-202.11, 7-202.12)

County codes: 4.7.4, “Restriction-Poisonous or Toxic Materials” and 4.7.5, “Conditions of Use-Poisonous or Toxic Materials.” Both are critical on nearly every report that carries them. These are the sections under which a can of store-bought insecticide in a kitchen is cited.

7-202.11 Restriction. (A) Only those POISONOUS OR TOXIC MATERIALS that are required for the operation and maintenance of a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT, such as for the cleaning and SANITIZING of EQUIPMENT and UTENSILS and the control of insects and rodents, shall be allowed in a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. Pf — FDA Food Code 2022, § 7-202.11(A), Chapter 7 p. 2

7-202.12 Conditions of Use. POISONOUS OR TOXIC MATERIALS shall be: (A) Used according to: (1) LAW and this Code, (2) Manufacturer’s use directions included in labeling, and, for a pesticide, manufacturer’s label instructions that state that use is allowed in a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT, P (3) The conditions of certification, if certification is required, for use of the pest control materials, P and (4) Additional conditions that may be established by the REGULATORY AUTHORITY; and — FDA Food Code 2022, § 7-202.12(A), Chapter 7 p. 2

(B) Applied so that: (1) A HAZARD to EMPLOYEES or other PERSONS is not constituted, P and (2) Contamination including toxic residues due to drip, drain, fog, splash or spray on FOOD, EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, LINENS, and SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES is prevented, and this is achieved by: P (a) Removing the items, P (b) Covering the items with impermeable covers, P or (c) Taking other appropriate preventive actions, P and (d) Cleaning and SANITIZING EQUIPMENT and UTENSILS after the application. P (C) A restricted USE PESTICIDE shall be applied only by an applicator certified as defined in 7 USC 136 Definitions, (e) Certified Applicator, of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, or a PERSON under the direct supervision of a certified applicator. Pf — FDA Food Code 2022, § 7-202.12(B)–(C), Chapter 7 p. 2

7-201.11 Separation. Poisonous or toxic materials shall be stored so they can not contaminate food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-service and single-use articles by: (A) Separating the POISONOUS OR TOXIC MATERIALS by spacing or partitioning; P and (B) Locating the POISONOUS OR TOXIC MATERIALS in an area that is not above FOOD, EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, LINENS, and SINGLE-SERVICE or SINGLE-USE ARTICLES. — FDA Food Code 2022, § 7-201.11, Chapter 7 p. 1

FDA’s reason:

Failure to properly use poisonous or toxic materials can be dangerous. Many poisonous or toxic materials have general use directions on their label. Failure to follow the stated instructions could result in injury to employees and consumers through direct contact or the contamination of food. — FDA Food Code 2022, Annex 3, Public Health Reasons, 7-202.12

What this means on a report: the test in 7-202.12(A)(2) is the label. A pesticide may be used in a food establishment only if its label says use in a food establishment is allowed, and only as the label directs. A home-use aerosol does not carry that language. Who may apply what in a Utah kitchen, and what the label law says, is on Who may apply pesticide in a Utah kitchen.

Restricted use pesticides (7-206.11)

County code: 4.7.13, “Restricted Use Pesticides-Criteria.”

7-206.11 Restricted Use Pesticides, Criteria. RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDES specified under ¶ 7-202.12(C) shall meet the requirements specified in 40 CFR 152 Subpart I - Classification of Pesticides. P — FDA Food Code 2022, § 7-206.11, Chapter 7 p. 4

Rodent bait stations (7-206.12)

County code: 4.7.14, “Rodent Bait Stations.”

7-206.12 Rodent Bait Stations. Rodent bait shall be contained in a covered, tamper-resistant bait station. P — FDA Food Code 2022, § 7-206.12, Chapter 7 p. 4

FDA’s reason:

Open bait stations may result in the spillage of the poison being used. Also, it is easier for pests to transport the potentially toxic bait throughout the establishment. Consequently, the bait may end up on food-contact surfaces and ultimately in the food being prepared or served. — FDA Food Code 2022, Annex 3, Public Health Reasons, 7-206.12

What this means on a report: loose bait, an open tray of bait, or a station without a lid. A professional station is covered, locked and labeled; if yours is not, ask your pest company why (questions to ask).

Tracking powders (7-206.13)

7-206.13 Tracking Powders, Pest Control and Monitoring. (A) Except as specified in ¶ (B) of this section, a tracking powder pesticide may not be used in a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT. P (B) If used, a nontoxic tracking powder such as talcum or flour may not contaminate FOOD, EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, LINENS, and SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES. — FDA Food Code 2022, § 7-206.13, Chapter 7 p. 5

Repair and the person in charge (6-501.11, 2-103.11)

Two more sections carry pest lines without naming pests. County code 4.6.40, “Repairing-Physical Facilities,” is the Food Code’s one-line repair rule, and it is where many “hole in the wall” and “gap around pipe” observations are written:

6-501.11 Repairing. PHYSICAL FACILITIES shall be maintained in good repair. — FDA Food Code 2022, § 6-501.11, Chapter 6 p. 8

And the person in charge is responsible for what a pesticide applicator does inside the kitchen:

(C) EMPLOYEES and other PERSONS such as delivery and maintenance PERSONS and pesticide applicators entering the FOOD preparation, FOOD storage, and WAREWASHING areas comply with this Code; Pf — FDA Food Code 2022, § 2-103.11(C), Chapter 2 p. 4

That last line is why a manager should know what their pest technician is applying and where. The Code puts the technician’s conduct in the kitchen on the person in charge.

A note on editions

Utah’s rule incorporates “The 2022 version” of the Food Code (R392-100). FDA has since published a Supplement to the 2022 Food Code (November 2024) and lists a Food Code 2026 on its site; FDA’s adoption page, current as of October 29, 2026, lists Utah at the 2022 edition. Whether the Supplement is part of what Utah adopted is not stated in the rule text and is an open item. None of the pest sections quoted above is among the sections the Utah rule amends.