Release Date: December 31, 2009
Contact: Christine Patmon, Metro Health Public Relations Manager, 207-8638
Food Handler Certification Rules Take Effect January 1
New year brings new requirements for those serving food to the public
New requirements aimed at further strengthening the safety of food will take effect on January 1 for restaurants, mobile food establishments and temporary events. The changes are part of the largest ordinance revision to City Code Chapter 13, which applies to food and food handlers, in nearly 50 years. The amendments include a performance-based food handler certification requirement.
Starting January 1, 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 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
o must post written guidelines on food handling/safety; and
o 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.
To help facilitate compliance with the food code revisions, Metro Health will soon include a link to online State-certified food handler course providers on its website. In addition, certified food manager identification cards are no longer available at Metro Health’s main administration building. Individuals who need the card should visit the Cliff Morton Development Business and Services Center at 1901 S. Alamo.
For more information on food handler certification, visit Metro Health’s website. For details about the program, contact
Stephen Barscewski at 207-4079.
