Food Safety Certification

California Retail Food Code requires each food facility handling non-prepackaged potentially hazardous food to have at least one certified food safety manager. This individual may be an owner, manager, or employee who has passed one of several recognized examinations. The certified food safety manager must be employed by the facility, but they need not be always present. The certified food safety manager is responsible for training all employees in food safety principles and must ensure food service employees who handle, prepare or serve, non-prepackaged foods have sufficient knowledge to properly complete their job duties.

Important Information About Accreditation

  • Evidence of certification must be always kept on-site for review by Environmental Health.
  • Food Handler Card does not satisfy this requirement.
  • One person cannot satisfy this requirement for more than one facility. However, multiple facilities located at the same place (directly next to each other) and under the same.
  • Ownership is recognized as one entity and will need only one certified food safety manager.
  • New operations and facilities that lose their certified food safety manager will have 60 days to comply with this requirement.
  • A food safety manager certification is valid for 5 years.
  • Individuals operating a temporary food booth at a community event are exempt from the requirement of having a certified food safety manager certification.