(a) Within seven days of beginning work as a food handler (except for temporary event food handlers), an individual shall attend a food handler class approved by the director of public health and shall obtain a food handlers certificate issued by the health department. All temporary event food workers shall attend an approved food handler class and obtain a food handler’s certificate before working at the temporary event.
(b) The owner or operator of a food establishment shall ensure that all food handlers obtain the certificate within seven days of starting to work at the food establishment.
(c) A food handler shall present his or her certificate to the director for inspection immediately upon request.
(d) Food handler certificates are valid for two years from the date of food handler training. A food handler may renew his or her certificate prior to its expiration by attending a food handler class.
(e) A food handler certificate is subject to immediate revocation by the director if it is determined that the holder is infected with or is the carrier of any foodborne communicable disease, or if it is determined by the director that the continuation of any such food handler certificate presents a significant public health threat.
(f) The following persons are exempt from the requirements of this section:
(1) Certified food managers;
(2) Cashiers, hosts and hostesses, grocery sackers, delivery persons, food stockers who handle only prepackaged items, and bus help who handle only soiled cooking and serving utensils and dishware;
(3) Persons participating as volunteer food handlers performing charitable activities for periods of four days or less; and
(4) Public school food service workers who attend accredited training courses.
(g) Criminal offenses.
(1) A person working in a food establishment as a food handler commits an offense if the person does not have a food handler’s certificate as required by this section.
(2) A person working in a food establishment as a food handler commits an offense if the person fails or refuses to present his or her food handler’s certificate to the director for inspection upon the director’s request.
(3) The owner or operator of a food establishment commits an offense if a person works as a food handler in the establishment in violation of this section.
(Ord. 12553, § 1, passed 6-18-1996; Ord. 13749, § 1, passed 3-23-1999)