The California Food Handler Card law went into effect Jan. 1, with a compliance deadline of July 1 for food handlers involved in the preparation, service or storage of food to obtain basic food safety training, pass an exam and secure a California Food Handler Card.

 The California Restaurant Association has been closely working with regulators to ensure the new law – which is the biggest public policy change regarding food safety in nearly two decades – will be enforced uniformly across the state.

At this time, operators need to be aware of three key components:

•  Workers must have a California Food Handler Card on file with employers by July 1.
•  Only three providers are qualified to issue a California Food Handler Card: the National Restaurant Association’s ServSafe Starters program, National Registry and Prometrics.
•  Additional information will be released once the regulatory community has finalized and approved the official guidelines to be referenced by the enforcing agencies. These are expected to be released in early April.

In the meantime, for more information, go online at www.calrest.org/foodhandler or www.calfoodhandler.com.

Posted on 3/18/2011

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