8.12.040 Food handler training | Chula Vista Municipal Code

8.12.040 Food handler training.

No person shall act as or be engaged as a food handler unless such person: (1) possesses a valid food handler training certificate as described in subsection (A) of this section, or (2) is working in an establishment under the supervision of a food service manager possessing a food service manager training certificate as described in subsection (B) of this section, and possess a food handler card as described in subsection (C) of this section; provided, however, that a person may act as or be engaged as a food handler under the supervision of such a food service manager for up to 10 calendar days without a food handler card.

A. Food Handler Training Certificate. Food handler training certificates or renewals thereof shall be issued by the health officer, or any other qualified person or agency as may be designated by the health officer, to persons who, immediately preceding such issuance, have successfully completed a food sanitation training course having a duration of at least three hours, taught by an instructor approved by the health officer. In order to successfully complete the course, a person must pass a proficiency test, approved by the health officer, with at least a 70 percent grade. The course of instruction shall include at least the following subjects:

1. Microorganisms;

2. Sources of foodborne disease microorganisms;

3. Foodborne diseases;

4. The means by which food is contaminated by microorganisms and toxic substances;

5. Methods for protection of food to prevent foodborne illnesses;

6. Control of the spread of disease through food;

7. Personal hygiene for food handlers;

8. The role of utensils and equipment in the transmission of diseases; and

9. Dishwashing procedures.

The health officer’s designation of persons or agencies to issue food handler training certificates and the health officer’s approval of instructors and course contents may be withdrawn by the health officer at any time. The food handler training certificate shall be valid for three years from the date of issuance.

1. A food service manager training certificate shall be issued by the health officer, or by a person or agency authorized by the health officer, to any person who has (1) attended a food service manager’s training course, having a duration of at least 16 hours, taught by an instructor approved by the health officer, and having a course content approved by the health officer, and (2) has passed a proficiency test, approved by the health officer, with at least a 70 percent grade. The course of instruction shall include at least the following subjects:

a. Microbiology of foodborne disease;

b. Methods of preventing foodborne diseases;

c. Personal sanitation practices;

d. Warewashing and sanitizing;

e. Housekeeping and waste disposal practices;

f. Food purchasing, transportation, receiving and storage;

g. Food preparation and use;

h. Sanitation of kitchens;

i. Dining service;

j. Legal regulations of the food industry; and

k. Sanitation and safety management.

2. A food service manager training certificate may also be issued to persons with any one of the following combinations of academic preparation and work experience, providing they pass the proficiency test specified above with at least an 85 percent grade:

a. A baccalaureate degree with at least a minor in food service occupations, environmental sanitation, biological sciences, hospitality services or related subjects and at least two years of occupational experience in said fields; or

b. An associate degree or 60 semester units of course work in food service occupations, environmental sanitation, biological sciences, hospitality services or related subjects and at least four years of occupational experience in said fields; or

c. A high school diploma or its equivalent or evidence of successful completion of secondary education and at least six years of occupational experience in the food service field; or

d. A food service manager training certificate may be issued by the health officer to any person possessing formal education and practical experience in the application of food sanitation principles determined by the health officer to be equivalent to the formal education and practical experience to that of a registered sanitarian with 10 years’ experience in food sanitation.

The health officer’s designation of persons or agencies to issue food service manager training certificates and the health officer’s approval of instructors, course contents and proficiency tests may be withdrawn by the health officer at any time. The food service manager training certificate shall not expire by passage of time.

C. Food Handler Card. A food handler card or a renewal thereof, in a form prescribed by the health officer, may be issued by a food service manager possessing a food service manager training certificate to food handlers under the manager’s supervision; provided, the food handlers pass a test relating to fundamental principles of sanitary food service practices, with at least a 70 percent grade. Such test shall be prepared by the health officer based on information contained in an informational booklet on sanitary food practices, which shall also be prepared by the health officer and which shall be distributed at cost by the health officer. Test records and records of the duration of the food handler’s employment, including the date that the food handler began to perform food handling services, shall be maintained on the premises where the food handler is performing such services. The food handler card shall be valid for three years from the date of issuance, or until the food handler’s performance of food handling services at the establishment where the card was issued ceases, or until the expiration of 60 days from the date that the establishment ceases to have a food service manager possessing a food service manager training certificate to supervise the food handler, whichever occurs the earliest. (Ord. 1957 § 2, 1981).