About AB 619 (Reusable Containers: Multiuse Utensils)
California Assembly Bill 619 was passed in July 2019 allowing reusable containers provided or returned to the food facility to be filled by either the employee or the owner of the container. Reusable containers returned to the food facility must be clean, and also designed and constructed for reuse in accordance with Section 3-304.17(B)(1) of the 2017 Food Code published by the federal Food and Drug Administration. Food facilities shall either isolate the clean consumer- owned containers from the serving surface or sanitize the serving surface after each filling.
Food facilities shall also prepare, maintain, and adhere to written procedures to prevent cross contamination and make written procedures available to the inspector upon request. Consumer-owned containers that are not food specific may be filled at a watering vending machine or system.
Temporary food facilities may request approval from Environmental Health to use multiuse utensils or reusable containers based on their "Manual Methods" to effectively cleanse, rinse, and sanitize utensils at either the temporary food facility or an approved food facility as specified in Sections 114095 & 114099 of the California Health and Safety Code. To request approval, contact the Community Events Program at (626) 430-5320 or communityevents@ph.lacounty.gov.
Read more about AB619.
Last Updated: 2023-09-27
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