Food Handling and COVID-19

Food  Handlers should not work if they have any of the symptoms of COVID-19 (follow this link for the must current CDC list of COVID 19 symptoms).

These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

On March 17, 2020 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported that “currently there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19.” This novel coronavirus is not considered a foodborne illness, and “foodborne exposure to this virus is not known to be a route of transmission.”

Currently there are no reported cases of COVID-19 linked to contaminated foods or improper food handling. The main risk of transmission is from close contact with infected people. The advice to food service operations, food handling workers and consumers is to keep up good hygienic practices like regular hand washing. Thorough cooking should kill the virus.

That being said this is a new virus, so we don’t know everything about how it’s transmitted at this point, so things are bound to change.

Follow the directions of your Local Health Department as requirements and food safety guidelines for food handling vary widely from state to state and even counties and cities within the same state.

You can find your State Health Department Here.

• Proper Handwashing   ( download ACE Food Handler – Handwashing Chart)

ACE Food Handler Handwashing Chart

• Proper Glove Use

ACE Food Handler – How Food Handlers Should Remove Glove

• Proper use of masks
• Sanitizing high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs and light switches regularly
• Social Distancing
• Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth with unclean hands.

Are just a few of the preventative measure’s food handlers should take when handling food.

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California RBS Training

The California Department of Public Health Food Handler’s Card

 The California Department of Public Health Food Handler’s Card The state of California recommends that individuals work in restaurants and non-restaurant facilities to complete food handing training. A California food handler card is valid everywhere in California except in Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties which have pre-existing local food handler card programs. Consult with the local enforcement agencies in each of these counties to obtain information on their local food handler programs and requirements. Once you have finished your course, you may print out your certificate of completion. This certificate will serve as your California Food Handler’s Card that qualifies you to work in the food service industry in California.

More Details

California food workers who handle food must have a California Food Handler card on file with their employer within 30 days of hire. To get your card, you must complete the training and pass the exam with a 75 percent or higher. You can complete the training online with ACE Food Handler. Ace Food Handler training and final exam meets the requirements of California’s food safety law SB 602 and is ANSI Approved.   12-20-2017 . California Department of Public Health – Food and Drug Branch 1500 Capitol Ave, MS 7602 Sacramento, CA 95814

 

California Department of Public Health – Food and Drug Branch

1500 Capitol Ave, MS 7602

Sacramento, CA 95814

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California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control District Office 2400 Del Paso Road, Suite 155 Sacramento CA, 95834

Phone

(916) 419-1319

California RBS Training Program Approved Training Provider