Mandatory certification of food service managers in the State of California is
now the law. In the County of Los Angeles, the requirement for Certification differs
depending on the city in which a food facility is located. For instance, if a city
adopted Los Angeles County Ordinance before December 31, 1998 or the food facility
is located in the unincorporated area of the County, the facility must have at least
one Certified Food Handler not later than one year after the effective date of the
ordinance. If a food facility is located in a city which did not
adopt the County ordinance, then they must have at least one person certified in food safety not later
than January 1, 2000.
Certified Food Handlers
As of January 16, 1999 (date is based upon individual cities adopting Los Angeles
County Ordinance), Los Angeles County requires that all food service operations
which prepare potentially hazardous food on the premises shall be required to have a
certified food handler. It is the intent of the ordinance to ensure that food service
operators are knowledgeable of proper practices in the handling, preparation, and
serving of food to protect the public's health.
A "certified food handler" (CFH) means an owner, operator or any other person, at
least 18 years of age, who supervises all or part of the food service operations
within the facility and is responsible for training the operation's employees in the
areas set forth in the Los Angeles County Code, Ordinance No. 11.11.040.
How do you become a certified food handler?
You may become a CFH by completing a County-approved CFH training course and
successfully passing the certification examination or by passing the Department of
Health Services (DHS) Challenge Examination with a score of 75% or higher. After
passing the certification exam, the provider may process your application for the
actual certificate or you may submit the application form with the appropriate
documentation the the County CFH Program. If you chose the DHS examination, the CFH
certificate will automatically be mailed to you once you pass the exam. The
certificate is valid for 4 years.
Food Handler's Training Providers
DHS maintains a listing of approved food handler's training providers whose courses
have met the requirements of the Los Angeles County Code. Contact the Certified Food
Handler Program at (626) 430-5320 to obtain the listing.
What if I am already certified?
If you have been certified by the National Restaurant Association's ServeSafe Program,
National Assessment Institute's Professional Food Service Manager Program or the
Chauncey Group International (ETS) within the past two years or have been certified
by another county, contact the CFH Program.
What would happen if I do not become a CFH?
If there is no one in your food service operation that is a CFH by January 16, 1999,
your permit to operate may be suspended and you will have to close your food service
operation until you become a CFH or you hire one.
Exemptions to the Certified Food Handler Requirement:
Food service operations that distribute, serve or sell only pre-packaged food or pet
food stores are exempt from the CFH requirement. If you would like to know if you
are exempt or need further clarification, contact the Certified Food Handlers Program
at (626) 430-5320.
Certification in Food Safety (AB 1978)
A person becomes certified in food safety in accordance with AB 1978 in exactly the
same manner required for CFH as presented above. The basic difference between the two
certifications is that all retail food facilities, except those only handling
pre-packaged foods must have someone certified. The other difference is that the
State will not issue a certificate of certification and requires only that the
certificate issued by the testing company be available upon request of the health
inspector.
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