Release Date: April 13, 2009
Contact: Christine Patmon, Metro Health Public Relations Manager, 207-8638
Food Handler Certification Rules Take Effect January 2010
Metro Health encourages those impacted to get ready for new requirements
Restaurants, mobile food establishments and temporary events inspected by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District are being prepared for new requirements aimed at further strengthening the safety of food being served in our community. In May 2008, City Council approved the largest ordinance change to City Code Chapter 13 in nearly 50 years. A performance based food handler certification requirement is part of that change and goes into effect on January 1, 2010.
Under the Chapter 13 revision, a certified food handler would be required in any food establishment that:
receives a poor score (30 or more demerits) on a routine inspection for food handler related items;
receives a score of 21 or more demerits on a re-inspection that includes a critical violation;
has its permit temporarily suspended for health violations; or
has the same critical violation on two consecutive inspections.
Once notified by Metro Health of a requirement to have food handler certification, all employees involved in open food handling must meet the requirement. The certification must take place within two months of notification and it will remain in place for a minimum of six months. Food handler courses must be State-approved and cover five food safety areas: basic food safety, cross contamination, time and temperature, hygienic practices, and preventing contamination by employees.
Mobile food establishments that have open food handling will be required to have at least one certified food handler on the unit during all hours of operation. Temporary food establishments with open food handling and operating four (4) or more days must have:
at least one person in the establishment with food manager's certification or food handler's certification; or
a certified food manager on site to oversee the event; and
must post written guidelines on food handling/safety; and
have signed statements from workers who do not have either a food manager’s or food handler’s certification, acknowledging that they have read and understand the posted food handling/safety guidelines.
“Our goal is to further protect the residents and tourists we serve by preventing food borne illnesses and promoting safe food handling,” said Sanitarian Services Manager Stephen Barscewski. “We worked with our stakeholders to develop this performance based system and appreciate the support we have received, especially from the San Antonio Restaurant Association.”
During the coming months, letters and informational cards will be distributed to all licensed food establishments in San Antonio and Bexar County inspected by Metro Health. The department also is partnering with the restaurant association for presentations across the city on the new food handler certification program and tips on how to maintain conditions that will lead to improved inspection scores.
For more information on food handler certification, click here. For details about the program, contact Stephen Barscewski at 207-4079.
