ADVISORY BULLETIN
Food safety is everyone's business. It's important to you as the operator of a
retail food facility so that your customers will continue to patronize your business.
It's important to the public so that they will enjoy the security of knowing that all
food is safe to eat.
California Health and Safety Code, Section 113716, was recently amended to require
most retail food facilities that handle unpackaged food of any kind to employ a person
who is certified in food safety. Certification in food safety simply means that you
or at least one of your employees will be required to have a basic knowledge as to the
causes of foodborne illness and its prevention, pass an approved examination, and
possess a valid certificate in food safety.
In Los Angeles County, effective January 16, 1999, all food facilities located within
the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County are required to have at least one
employee who is certified in food safety. In those incorporated cities that have
adopted the ordinance, the effective date is one year from the passing of the
ordinance*.
Beginning January 1, 2000, all remaining retail food facilities - restaurant, market,
bakery, mobile food preparation unit, and commissary - will have to meet this new
requirement. Failure to have at least one certified person may result in loss of your
permit to operate. The certified person must be employed by the business, but need not
be present at all times. In addition, this certified person may not satisfy the
requirement for more than one facility.
Certification must be renewed by passing an approved examination every three years.
Facilities which begin operation after January 1, 2000 or lose their certified
employee after that date will have 60 days to comply.
A current list of approved trainers and certification providers is available upon
request by contacting the Certified Food Handler Program at (626) 430-5320.
*Contact your local Environmental Health Office to determine if your city has adopted
the ordinance or for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Housing Inspection Bureau