Sanitation

Last Updated: April 03, 2025
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​​​​​Sanitation programs protect the Force's health by preventing the spread of illness through contaminated surfaces in public-use facilities. The Defense Health Agency–Public Health (DHA-PH) Sanitation Branch provides support to public health personnel at every level of Department of Defense's (DOD's) public health enterprise, including field units, to increase awareness and understanding of established sanitation controls. Information products are developed through collaboration with other public health professionals within the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and external organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Army Veterinary Services.​​​​​

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​Public Facilities​

Sanitation controls and oversight are required for the following public facilities located on DOD installations. Military public health personnel also monitor sanitation compliance for facilities operated in privatized lodging and housing areas when inspections are not being conducted by the local health department. 

  • Barber and beauty shops, including day spas, nail salons and other cosmetology services
  • Gyms and fitness centers
  • Massage operations
  • Troop housing, including transient and permanent family quarters and unaccompanied personnel housing 
  • Manufactured home parks
  • Recreational areas, including but not limited to campgrounds, recreational vehicle (RV) parks, picnic areas, athletic fields and indoor recreation centers
  • Child, youth, and school facilities, including child development centers (CDC), school age centers (SAC), youth & teen centers (YC), Family Child Care (FCC) homes and Department of Defense Educational Activity (DODEA) schools
  • Detention facilities, including detention cells, confinement facilities, and disciplinary barracks
  • Laundry operations in garrison and deployment settings
  • Body art operations, including but not limited to tattoos and piercing
  • Recreational water facilities, including swimming pools, splash pads, beaches, spas/hot tubs and therapy pools operated outside of a medical facility

Sanitation Standards

Unified sanitation standards for public facilities, other than food operations, have not been established at this time. DHA-PH recommends public facilities use the military public health publications referenced above for sanitation guidance.​

Food Operations​​​

The Tri-Service Food Code (TB MED 530/NAVMED P-5010-1/AFMAN 48-147​_IPExternal Link​) establishes standardized military food safety guidelines for sanitary control and surveillance to mitigate risk factors known to cause foodborne illness. Guidance includes, but is not limited to:

  • Cottage food operations
  • Food establishment plan review
  • Food facility risk assessments
  • Quality review of inspection reports
  • Tri-Service Food Code and Inspection training