Whenever the director deems it necessary in the interests of public health to cause any food business to cease operating the director may do so by serving written notice upon the owner or manager of the food business; provided, that before the notice is given the owner or manager shall have been given an opportunity to show cause why the food business should not cease operating. Written notice to cease operating a food business shall remain in effect until the director serves further notice permitting the resumption of operation of the food business. The director may obtain relief in equity or by prerogative writ whenever this relief shall be necessary in the proper performance of his or her duties under this section.