Posted: | March 14, 2019 11:58 AM |
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From: | Representative Karen Boback |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Food Handling Legislation |
In the near future, I will be re-introducing legislation (formerly HB 1220), requiring a notice to be posted in food preparation and service areas. It would read: REMINDER – ABSOLUTELY NO BARE-HANDS WITH READY-TO-EAT FOOD, INCLUDING THE CUTTING AND SERVING OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FOR SALADS, DRINKS, AND GARNISHES AND ALL ITEMS SERVED IN EDIBLE CONTAINERS. USE APPROPRIATE UTENSILS, GLOVES OR DELI TISSUE. FOOD SERVERS SHALL NOT HANDLE MONEY WHILE USING GLOVES. Our food safety law prohibits food preparers and food servers in retail food facilities from having bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat food. Unfortunately, violations are occurring. Instances have been observed where food servers have uncovered cuts, soiled bandages, and have handled money while they are handling prepared food. Some examples include: bartenders and servers cutting and handling fruit wedges intended for drinks and garnishes, employees filling unwrapped ice cream cones, etc. In light of recent developments and issues with food handling and the transmission of diseases, all establishments serving food need to post reminders for their food handlers. While the manager or “person in charge” is required to be aware of bare-hands prohibition, the information is either not known or not being properly communicated. Also, there is considerable turnover in food service, and many jobs are seasonal. I hope you will join me in sponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as HB1778