Release Date: May 16, 2008
Contact: Christine Patmon, Metro Health Public Relations Manager, 207-8638
City Council Approves Revisions to Code on Food and Food Handlers
Majority of Chapter 13 changes would go into effect May 25
Proposed changes to the City Code governing food and food handlers received approval from the City Council and vocal support by the San Antonio Restaurant Association (SARA). The unanimous vote during yesterday’s Council meeting means the majority of Chapter 13 revisions will go into effect on May 25.
Chapter 13 contains the rules and policies pertaining to food and food handlers. It is the code restaurants, mobile vendors, and others serving food must follow and the ordinance sanitarians with Metro Health enforce to ensure food safety for consumers.
The approved amendments will streamline operations, adopt new State regulations, and pave the way for an automation initiative.
The revised code includes changes that sets new requirements for food establishments regarding food temperatures and hand washing; increases requirements for food and food handling in facilities such as day cares and hospitals; provides sanitation requirements for mobile food establishments; exempts food establishments which only sell whole, uncut fresh fruits and vegetables from permitting; exempts temporary food establishments who give away pre-packaged, non-potentially hazardous food from the permit process; and provides new
requirements for how condemned food is to be destroyed among other provisions. A
new food handler certification program is also included but will not go into effect until
January 1, 2010. The program will require certification for food handlers under certain conditions and will vary depending on whether the entity is a restaurant, mobile vendor, or a temporary food event.
“The food handler certification program is a new tool we are utilizing to further promote safe food handling and ensure public health,” said Sanitarian Services Manager Stephen Barscewski. “For example, an establishment that receives 30 or more demerits during an inspection will be required to have certification for all food handlers on duty.”
During the past year, Metro Health’s Food and Environmental Health Division worked closely with SARA and other stakeholders such as the South Texas Merchants Association, San Antonio Parks Foundation, local colleges, and other entities.
“We will continue to work with all of our stakeholders and gather input as we transition our collective efforts into a food safety task force. It will include these partners, the hotel/motel industry, mobile vendors and others. The goal will be to collaborate on common interest issues and provide a forum for new ideas as Metro Health moves forward with future improvements,” said Barscewski.
The soon-to-be adopted changes for Chapter 13 can be found on Metro Health’s website at www.sanantonio.gov/health/Food-Main.html.
For more information, call Stephen Barscewski at 207-4079.
