SACRAMENTO COUNTY

R E TA I L F OOD I NS PE CT ION GU IDE

Environmental Management Department

Environmental Health Division
Consumer Protection Program
Environmental Management
Department
Marie Woodin, Interim Director

Dear Sacramento County Retail Food Facility Owner/Operator:

The Sacramento County Environmental Management Department’s Retail Food

Program is pleased to present you with the Retail Food Inspection Guide.

This guide provides easy to read summaries of California Retail Food Code
sections, as well as examples of common violations. This guide will help you
prepare for and succeed in future inspections.

Thank you for all you and your employees do to serve safe food and keep your
customers safe.

For assistance, questions or feedback please contact us at (916) 875-8440.

Sincerely,

Jason Boetzer, Chief

Environmental Health Division

10590 Armstrong Ave • Mather, California 95655 • phone (916) 875-8440 • fax (916) 875-8513 • [Link]
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Color-coded Placard System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Common Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Demonstration of Knowledge
1a. Demonstration of Knowledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1b. Food Safety Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1c. Food Handler Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Employee Health & Hygienic Practices

2. Communicable Disease Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3. Discharge From the Eyes, Nose, and Mouth . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4. Eating, Drinking, and Tobacco Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Preventing Contamination by Hands

5a. Handwashing Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5b. Bare Hand Contact and Glove Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
6. Handwashing Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Time & Temperature Relationships

7. Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
8. Time as a Public Health Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
9. Cooling Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
10. Cooking Time & Temperatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
11. Reheating Procedures for Hot Holding . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Protection from Contamination

12. Re-service of Returned Food . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
13. Food in Good Condition, Safe and Unadulterated . . . . . . . . . 26
14a. Food Contact Surfaces Cleaned and Sanitized . . . . . . . . . . 28
14b. Warewashing and Sanitizing Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Food from Approved Sources

15. Food Obtained From Approved Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
16. Shellstock Identification Tags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
17. Shellstock Display and Commingling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Conformance with Approved Procedures

18. HACCP Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Consumer Advisory
19. Consumer Advisory for Undercooked Food . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Highly Susceptible Populations

20. School and Licensed Health Care Prohibited Foods . . . . . . . 43

Water/Hot Water
21. Hot and Cold Water Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Liquid Waste Disposal

22. Sewage and Wastewater Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Vermin
23. Vermin and Animal Contamination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Supervision
24. Person in Charge Present and Performs Duties . . . . . . . . . 49

Personal Cleanliness
25. Personal Cleanliness and Hair Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

General Food Safety Requirements

26. Thawing Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
27. Food Protected From Contamination . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
28. Washing Fruits and Vegetables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
29. Identification and Storage of Toxic Substances . . . . . . . . . 55

Food Storage/ Display/ Service

30a. Food Stored in Approved Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
30b. Food Containers Labeled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
31. Consumer Self-Service Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
32a. Food Presentation and Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
32b. Compliance with Trans Fat Ban . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
32c. Compliance with Menu Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Equipment/Utensils/Linens
33. Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
34. Warewashing Facilities and Testing Methods . . . . . . . . . . . 64
35. Equipment Approved and Maintained . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
36. Equipment Stored in Approved Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
37. Satellite Food Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
38. Ventilation and Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
39. Temperature Measuring Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
40. Wiping Cloth Storage and Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Physical Facilities
41. Plumbing Fixtures and Backflow Prevention . . . . . . . . . . . 74
42. Garbage and Refuse Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
43. Restrooms Maintained, Supplied, and Accessible . . . . . . . . . 77
44a. Premises Kept Free of Unused Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 79
44b. Appropriate Use Of Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
44c. Mop Sink and Janitorial Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
44d. Employee Personal Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
44e. Vermin and Animal Exclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Permanent Food Facilities

45. Floors, Walls and Ceiling Finishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
46. Living and Sleeping Quarters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Signs/ Requirements
47a. Signs Posted as Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
47b. Placard Posted in Approved Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
47c. Inspection Report Availability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Compliance and Enforcement

48. Plan Review Construction and Remodeling . . . . . . . . . . . 90
49. Permit Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
 INTRODUCTION
The Sacramento County Environmental Management Department is dedicated to
improving the quality of life and ensuring public health and safety for all residents
and visitors of the County, through education, surveillance, enforcement and
community service.
While the food supply in the United States is one of the safest in the world, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately
48 million people suffer from foodborne illness each year. Of these, more than
128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die. Preventing foodborne illness and death
remains a major public health challenge.
The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have identified five
foodborne illness risk factors and five public health interventions that when
addressed during an inspection of a retail food establishment should lead to a
reduction in the incidents of foodborne illness and to an increased protection for
consumer health.
The five most common CDC risk factors are:
1. Improper Holding Temperatures
2. Inadequate Cooking
3. Poor Personal Hygiene
4. Contaminated Equipment
5. Food from Unsafe Sources
The FDA’s public health interventions are:
1. Demonstration of knowledge
2. Employee health controls
3. Controlling hands as a vehicle of contamination
4. Time and temperature parameters for controlling pathogens
5. Consumer advisory
It is the responsibility of the Sacramento County Environmental Management
Department to conduct routine inspections of retail food facilities in Sacramento
County in order to ensure compliance with the California Health and Safety Code and
the Sacramento County Code. Sacramento County’s Retail Food Code Inspection
Guide is intended to provide guidance to food service operators in matters related to
retail food inspections, the placard program, and common terminology. This guide has
also been developed to improve standardization among environmental specialists
during their routine inspections of retail food facilities by providing them with a
reference list of common violations.
The procedures outlined in this guide are to be used in conjunction with the
Sacramento County Food Facility Official Inspection Report (OIR). The guidelines
provided are not intended to be all-inclusive due to the fact that individual
establishments and the severity of their violations can vary greatly.

1
 POSTING OF COLOR-CODED PLACARDS FOR
DISCLOSURE OF INSPECTION RESULTS
Placards will be issued following each inspection and will be required to be posted in a
location that is visible to the public prior to entering the facility.

Green Placard: No more than one major violation

was observed during the inspection. Major violation was
corrected or mitigated during the inspection.

Yellow Placard: Two or more major violations were

observed during the inspection. Major violations were
corrected or mitigated during the inspection. A
reinspection will be conducted within 24 to 72 hours.

Red Placard: Closure of the facility due to imminent

danger to public health and safety.

The placard shall be posted so as to be clearly visible to

the general public and to patrons entering the food establishment.

Acceptable methods of posting include the following:

 Posted in the front window of the food facility within 5 feet of the front door.
 Posted in a display case mounted on the outside front wall of the food
establishment within 5 feet of the front door.
 Posted in a location approved by the Environmental Management Department to
ensure proper notice to the general public and to patrons.

2
 COMMON TERMINOLOGY
Approved Source is a producer, manufacturer, distributor, or other food facility
that is properly licensed or permitted by a local, state or federal agency.

California Retail Food Code is part of the California Health and Safety Code
addressing the regulation of retail food establishments.

Cross Contamination is the transfer of harmful microorganisms from one food

to another.

Department is the Sacramento County Environmental Management Department.

Diligent Preparation is a process in which a food handler is actively engaged in

the preparation of a food item.

Fabric Implement is a cloth or fabric, including, but not limited to, burlap and
cheesecloth, that is used as a part of the food process and comes in direct contact
with food that is subsequently cooked.

HACCP Plan is a written document that details the formal procedures for follow-
ing the Hazardous Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles that were devel-
oped by the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods.

Limited food preparation means food preparation that is restricted to one or

more of the following:
 Heating, frying, baking, roasting, popping, blending, or assembly of
non-prepackaged food (e.g. roasted corn on the cob, steamed or boiled hot
dogs, and tamales in the original, inedible wrapper).
 Bulk dispensing of non-potentially hazardous beverages.
 Holding, portioning, and dispensing of any foods that are prepared for satellite
food service by the onsite permanent food facility or prepackaged by another
approved source.
 Slicing and chopping of food on a heated cooking surface during the cooking
process.
 Cooking and seasoning to order.
 Juicing or preparing beverages that are for immediate service, in response to
an individual consumer order, that do not contain frozen milk products.

3
 COMMON TERMINOLOGY
Limited food preparation does not include:
 Slicing and chopping unless it is on the heated cooking surface.
 Thawing.
 Cooling of cooked, potentially hazardous food.
 Grinding raw ingredients or potentially hazardous food.
 Reheating of potentially hazardous foods for hot holding, except for steamed or
boiled hot dogs and tamales in the original, inedible wrapper.
 Hot holding of nonprepackaged, potentially hazardous food (unless prepared by
an onsite Permanent Food Facility).
 Washing of foods.
 Cooking of potentially hazardous foods for later use.

Major Food Allergen means all of the following:

Milk Eggs Wheat Peanuts

Tree nuts, including, but not limited to,

almonds, pecans, and walnuts.

Soybeans
Fish, including, but not limited to,
bass, flounder, and cod.

Crustacean shellfish, including, but not limited to, crab, lobster

and shrimp

Major Food Allergen does not include either of the following:

 A highly refined oil derived from a food specified in the above mentioned items
and any ingredient derived from that highly refined oil
 An ingredient that is exempt under the petition or notification process specified
in the federal Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004
(Public Law 108-282).

4
 COMMON TERMINOLOGY
Major Violations are directly related to one of the five CDC risk factors or one of
the five FDA public health interventions. Major violations pose an imminent threat to
public health and have the potential to cause foodborne illness.

A major violation must be corrected or mitigated during the inspection in

order to avoid closure. When a major violation cannot be immediately
corrected or mitigated, the food facility or the impacted areas may be
subject to closure until the violation is corrected.

Minor Violations do not directly cause foodborne illness, but are important
factors in providing safe, wholesome and unadulterated food products.

Potentially Hazardous Food (PHF) is a food that requires time or

temperature control to limit pathogenic microorganism growth or toxin formation.
Potentially hazardous food includes a food of animal origin that is raw or
heat-treated, a food of plant origin that is heat treated or consists of raw seed
sprouts, cut melons, cut tomatoes, or mixtures of cut tomatoes that are not
modified to render them unable to support pathogenic microorganism growth or
toxin formation, and garlic-in-oil mixtures that are not acidified or otherwise
modified at a food processing plant in a way that results in mixtures that do not
support growth or toxin formation.

Potentially hazardous foods do not include foods that:

 have a pH level of 4.6 or below when measured at 75°F, or
 have a water activity (Aw) value of 0.85 or less, or
 are in hermetically sealed containers processed to meet the commercial
sterility standard, or
 have been shown through appropriate microbiology challenge studies not
to support the rapid and progressive growth of infectious or toxigenic
microorganisms
 have an air-cooled, hard-boiled egg with shell intact, or an egg with shell
intact that is not hard boiled, but has been pasteurized to destroy all viable
salmonellae

Voluntary Condemnation and Destruction (VC&D) is a voluntary action taken by

an operator to dispose of food suspected to be unsafe, spoiled or adulterated.

5
 Demonstration of Knowledge

1a. Demonstration of Knowledge

Calcode 113947

All food employees shall have adequate knowledge of, and shall be properly trained
in, food safety as it relates to their assigned duties.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 The employee washing dishes did not know what concentration

the sanitizer in the dishwasher should be or how to check the
concentration of the sanitizer.

 The cook who is cooking hamburgers did not know the final
cooking temperature for ground beef.

 The line cook does not know how to calibrate their probe thermometer

The Environmental Management Department offers free Food

Safety Education classes upon request. Contact (916) 875-8440
for more information. In addition, visit [Link] to
DID YOU watch the “How to Get a Green” video.
KNOW?

6
 Demonstration of Knowledge

1b. Food Safety Certification

Calcode 113947.1, 113947.3

Food facilities that prepare, handle or serve non-prepackaged potentially hazardous

food (PHF) shall have an employee who has passed an approved food safety
certification examination.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 The food safety certificate is not available during the inspection.

 The food safety certificate is expired.
 A new facility which prepares potentially hazardous foods has been operating
for longer than 60 days without a certified employee.

Notes:
The certificate shall be valid for 5 years from date of issuance.
The certification organization must be accredited by the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI).
No certified person at a food facility may serve at any other food facility as the
person required to be certified.

Exception:
Food facilities that handle non-prepackaged non-potentially hazardous foods are
not required to have a food safety certified employee. In lieu of the certification
they are required to have food employees who can demonstrate knowledge
relative to their assigned duties (Section 113947.1(b)(2)).

7
 Demonstration of Knowledge

1c. Food Handler Cards

Calcode 113948

Food handlers that prepare, handle, or serve non-prepackaged, potentially hazardous

food, shall obtain a valid Food Handler Card within 30 days after date of hire.
The definition therefore effectively includes most restaurant employees such as those
holding the positions of, but not limited to: wait staff, chefs, head cooks, cooks,
bussers, bartenders, host/hostesses that handle food, beverage pourers (including
alcoholic beverage pourers), and supervisory personnel, such as the general
manager or managers (unless they are certified under the existing food managers
certification program). The law applies to both salaried and hourly food handlers.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Lack of records documenting valid food handler cards for employees, or

approved in-house training as described in 113948(d)(9).
 The food handler card is expired.
 Food handler card not accredited by American National Standards Institute
(ANSI).
 Food handler card not approved for use in California.

Exemptions:
Temporary food facilities (food booths); certified farmers’ markets; commissaries;
grocery stores (including convenience stores); licensed health care facilities;
mobile support units; public and private school cafeterias; restricted food service
facilities; retail stores where a majority of sales are from a pharmacy; venues with
snack bar services in which the majority of sales are from admission tickets
(excluding any area in which restaurant-style-sit-down service is provided); certain
food facilities with approved in-house food safety training; food facilities subject to
a collective bargaining agreement; any city, county, city and county, state or
regional facility used for the confinement of adults or minors, including, but not
limited to, a county jail, juvenile hall, camp, ranch, or residential facility, an elderly
nutrition program, administered by the California Department of Aging.

Notes:
The food handler card shall be valid for 3 years from date of issuance.
Proof of food handler cards for all employees must be available upon request.

8
Employee Health & Hygienic Practices

2. Communicable Disease Requirements

Calcode 113949.2, 113949.4, 113949.5 113950(b), 113950.5

Employees diagnosed with a communicable disease that is transmissible through

food shall be excluded from the food facility. An employee experiencing an acute gas-
trointestinal illness shall be restricted from working with food and/or clean
utensils/equipment/linens. A food worker must properly cover (bandage and/or glove)
any wounds or rashes on hands or exposed portions of the arms.
The permit holder shall require food employees to report incidents of illness or injury
to the person in charge and comply with all applicable restrictions.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 The person in charge is aware of an employee with a communicable disease or

aware that two or more food employees are concurrently experiencing
symptoms associated with an acute gastrointestinal illness and the person in
charge has not reported to the local enforcement agency,
EMD: (916) 875-8440.
 The person in charge is aware of a food employee who is suffering from an
acute gastrointestinal illness and has not restricted the duties of the food
employee to prevent spreading the illness.
 The person in charge removes a restriction from a food employee before
resolution of the symptoms.
 The person in charge allows an excluded employee to return to work before
receiving local health officer clearance.
 A food handler has a wound on their hands, arms or other part of their body
that is not properly covered.

MINOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

9
Notes:
Acute Gastrointestinal Illness means a short duration illness most often
characterized by one of the following symptoms or groups of symptoms, which are
known to be commonly associated with the agents most likely to be transmitted
from infected food employees through contamination of food:

 Diarrhea, either alone or in conjunction with other gastrointestinal

symptoms, such as vomiting, fever, or abdominal cramps.
 Vomiting in conjunction with either diarrhea or two other gastrointestinal
symptoms, such as fever or abdominal cramps.

Communicable diseases that are transmissible through food means a

condition caused by any of the following infectious agents:
 Salmonella typhi ● Salmonella spp. ● Shigella spp.
● Enterohemorrhagic or shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli
● Entamoeba histolytica ● Hepatitis A virus ● Norovirus
● Other communicable diseases as listed in the California Code of Regulations

Exclude means to prevent a person from working as a food employee or

entering a food facility except for those areas open to the general public.

Person in Charge means the individual present who is responsible for the
operation of the food facility.

Restrict means to limit the activities of a food employee so that there is no

risk of transmitting a disease that is transmissible through food and the food em-
ployee does not work with exposed food, clean equipment, utensils, linens, and
unwrapped single-use articles.

10
Employee Health & Hygienic Practices

3. Discharge From the Eyes,

Nose, and Mouth
Calcode 113974

Food employees are not allowed to work with exposed food, clean equipment, clean
utensils, or clean linens while experiencing persistent sneezing, coughing or runny
nose that is associated with discharges from the eyes, nose or mouth that cannot be
controlled by medication.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 A food employee is suffering from uncontrolled allergies.

 A server with discharge from the eyes due to allergies is slicing bread.

MINOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

Corrective Action:
If a food employee is found working while having discharges from the eyes, nose,
or mouth, they shall be restricted from working with exposed food, clean
equipment, clean utensils, and clean linens until the symptoms have subsided.

11
 Employee Health & Hygienic Practices

4. Eating, Drinking, and Tobacco Use

Calcode 113977, 114256(a)

No employee shall eat, drink, or smoke in any area where contamination of

non-prepackaged food, clean equipment, clean utensils, clean linens, unwrapped
single-use articles, or other items may result.
Areas designated for employees to eat and drink shall be located so that food,
equipment, linens and single-use articles are protected from contamination.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Employee drink stored without lid and straw in food preparation area.
 Employee is observed eating, drinking or smoking in non-designated areas
where contamination may result.

Notes:
Personal drinks will be allowed in food preparation areas if the risk of
contaminating the employee's hands, non-prepackaged food, and food contact
surfaces with the employee’s saliva is eliminated.
Approved practices include drinking from a closed container that is handled to
prevent contamination of employee’s hands or from a beverage container with a
tight fitting lid and straw.

12
 Preventing Contamination By Hands

5a. Handwashing Procedures

Calcode 113952, 113953.3, 113953.4

Employees are required to wash their hands:

 after using the restroom

 before beginning work
 before handling food or clean
equipment/ utensils
 as often as necessary during
food preparation to remove soil
and contamination
 when switching from working
with raw to ready-to-eat foods
 after touching body parts
 any time when contamination
may occur

Hand sanitizer must be approved and shall only be applied to hands that have been
properly cleaned.
Bare hand and arm contact with non-prepackaged ready-to-eat foods shall be
minimized by using utensils such as scoops, tongs, gloves, paper wrappers, or other
implements.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),

Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness from contaminated
food in the United States.
There are an estimated 48 million cases of foodborne illness in the
DID YOU United States each year, with 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000
KNOW? preventable deaths!

Handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent foodborne illness!

13
 Preventing Contamination By Hands

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 Direct contamination of food or food contact surfaces (such as in-use

cutting boards and utensils) has occurred by unclean hands that have been in
contact with:
X secretions of the eyes, ears, nose and mouth
X sweat X raw animal product
X or other object that most likely contains high levels of
contamination, for example exterior garbage dumpsters or
toilets. This DOES NOT include objects like refrigerator
handles or scoops
 An employee handles raw meat and then proceeds to handle vegetables or
clean customer utensils without washing their hands.
 An employee is observed handling raw meat. The employee then applies hand
sanitizer without properly washing their hands prior to the sanitizer application.
The employee then handles ready-to-eat food items.
 An employee that handles food, clean equipment or utensils, clean linens, or
single service utensils did not wash their hands after using the restroom.
 An employee did not wash their hands after eating or smoking and before
handling food.

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Dishwasher loads dirty dishes into dishwasher and then stacks clean dishes
without washing hands in between. Note: This practice may result in a major
violation if direct contamination is observed.
 Food preparer leaves preparation area and returns to engage in open food
preparation without washing hands (no direct contamination observed as
described in the major violation criteria).
 Employee washes hands and instead of using paper towels to dry hands, the
employee uses a multi-use towel.
 Employee did not wash hands after talking on the phone or handling money
and before handling food.
 Food employee did not wash hands before initially donning gloves for working
with food.

Corrective Action:
The food employee shall wash their hands and portion of arms as required and
use utensils when possible.

14
 Preventing Contamination By Hands

5b. Bare Hand Contact and Glove Use

Calcode 113961, 113968, 113973 (b-f)

Employees shall minimize bare hand contact with non-prepackaged ready-to-eat

food.
Single-use gloves shall be used for only one task and shall be discarded when
damaged or soiled, or when interruptions in the food handling occur.
Gloves shall be changed as often as handwashing is required.
Slash-resistant gloves may be used with ready-to-eat food if the gloves have a
smooth, durable, nonabsorbent surface, or are covered with a single-use glove.
Wash hands before donning gloves.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 A food employee with artificial nails, nail polish, or rings (other than a plain ring,
such as a wedding band) is observed handling unpackaged food or clean
utensils without the use of gloves (no direct cross contamination observed).
 An employee saves single-use gloves for re-use.

Notes:
Hands are not required to be washed when changing gloves if the employee is
performing the same task, such as making sandwiches. However, if changing
gloves presents an opportunity for cross-contamination, proper handwashing
procedures must be exercised. For information on approved multi-use gloves use,
see Section 113973(d-e).

15
 Preventing Contamination By Hands

6. Handwashing Facilities
Calcode 113953, 113953.1, 113953.2, 114067(f)

Adequate handwashing facilities that meet the following requirements, and are
accessible at all times, shall be provided in each facility:
 Warm water at a minimum temperature of 100°F. If the water temperature
provided to the hand sink is not adjustable, the water shall be provided
between 100°F and 108°F.
 Handwashing soap and single-use, sanitary paper towels shall be provided in
approved dispensers.
 Handwashing facilities shall be available within or adjacent to toilet rooms, in all
food or beverage preparation areas and in warewashing areas.
 Handwashing facilities shall be separated from the warewashing sink, as well
as any open food, food contact surfaces or utensils, by at least 24-inches or by
a minimum 6-inch high metal splashguard.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 Lack of soap or paper towels in the kitchen, employee or public restroom

handwash sinks.
 Handwash sink is not accessible.
 Water at the handwashing sink is too hot to wash hands making the
handwashing sink unusable (when water temperature is not readily adjustable
at the faucet).

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Bar soap is used at the kitchen handwash sink instead of liquid soap in
a dispenser.
 Paper towels not kept in the dispenser, but on top of or next to.
Corrective Action:
Handwash facilities must be available to make handwashing not only possible, but
likely.
Major violations must be immediately resolved so that handwashing can be
performed properly otherwise the facility may be subject to closure.

Notes:
A warewashing sink shall not be used for handwashing except in food facilities that
were constructed prior to January 1, 1996, and where there are no facilities
exclusively for handwashing in food preparation areas. (Section 114125)

16
 Time And Temperature Relationships

7. Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures

Calcode 113996, 113998, 114037

Potentially hazardous food (PHF) shall be held at or below 41°F or at or above 135°F.
Food preparation outside of required holding temperatures shall in no case exceed 2
cumulative hours without a return to the specified holding temperatures.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 PHF is held between 51°F to 129°F as a result of an improper process,

practice or equipment failure. Note: Failure of all refrigeration equipment may
lead to a facility closure.

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 PHF is held at or between 130°F – 134°F.

 PHF is held at or between 42°F – 50°F.
 PHF is thawing under standing or warm running water and the temperature of
the PHF is between 42°F -50ºF.
Exceptions:
Refrigerated PHFs may be at a temperature of 45°F or below when received, if the
PHF is cooled to 41°F or below within four hours of receipt. (Section 114037)
If a temperature other than 41°F for a PHF is specified in law governing its distribution,
the PHF may be received at the specified temperature and cooled as specified in
subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 114002. (Section 114037)
PHF that is received hot shall be at a temperature of 135°F or above. (Section
114037)
Live molluscan shellfish shall not be accepted unless received at a temperature of
45°F or below. A temperature above 45°F is acceptable if the Molluscan shellfish is
received on the date of harvest. (Section 114037)
The following foods may be held at or below 45°F: (Section 113996)
● Raw shell eggs ● Unshucked live molluscan shellfish
● Pasteurized milk and pasteurized milk products in the original sealed containers
● PHFs held for dispensing in serving lines and salad bars during periods not to
exceed 12 hours in any 24-hour period. Note: Foods held as previously described
must be discarded after the 12 hour period
● PHFs held for sampling at a certified farmers' market. (discard after 2 hrs)
● PHFs held during transportation. (30 min max)
Roasts cooked to a temperature and for a time as specified in subdivision (b) of
section 114004 may be held at a temperature of 130°F or above. (See data field #10
“Proper Cooking Time and Temperature” for details).
17
 Examples of Potentially Hazardous Foods (PHFs)
Dairy
 Cheesecake  Milk
 Cream pastries (if cream is not com-  Opened ultra-pasteurized products
mercially made, check label)  Pizza
 Cream cheese  Sliced/Shredded/crumbled cheeses
 Eggs (cheddar, jack, blue etc.)
 Facility-made salad dressing,  Soft cheeses: (feta, soft Mexican style
mayonnaise, or aioli cheese, feta, brie etc.)
 Food containing eggs (i.e. quiche,  Whipped butter
custards, hollandaise sauce)  Whipped cream (including opened
 Batters containing PHFs, including ultra pasteurized containers)
waffle batter, and rehydrated pancake
and cake mixes

Fruits / Vegetables
 All cooked vegetables, cooked rice  Kimchi, if it includes cooked rice paste
and legumes and/or proteins, including but not
 All sprouts limited to octopus, squid, scallops

 Baked/cooked potato  Opened canned vegetables

 Rehydrated mashed potatoes  Rehydrated vegetable products
containing PHFs
 Cut melon
 Tofu, texturized vegetable protein
 Cut tomatoes
 Any root vegetable stored in oil,
 Cooked edamame including garlic, onion, rehydrated
 Hummus garlic

Meats
 Bakery products containing meat,  Broths (such as vegetable, seafood,
cooked vegetable, soft cheeses (bao, beef, chicken, or turkey)
piroshki)  Gravies (reconstituted or facility-
 Balut (developing duck embryo in made)
shell)  Hot dogs, sausage,
 Beef, poultry, seafood (excluding live  Chorizo (cooked or raw)
fish), lamb, pork, ratites (cooked or
raw)  Live molluscan shellfish
 Bologna  Opened canned meat or fish
 Raw bacon

Miscellaneous
 All casseroles containing PHFs  Liquid batter for dipping PHFs
 Cooked noodles  Tapioca balls (boba) in water

18
 Examples of Non Potentially Hazardous Foods (Non PHFs)

Dairy/Miscellaneous
 Butter/margarine
 Eggs
 hard boiled eggs in intact shells (must be air-cooled)
 pasteurized eggs in intact shells
 Manufacturer sealed hard cheeses (e.g. parmesan, whole block of
cheddar)
 Processed sliced cheeses
 Unopened ultra-pasteurized products
 Commercially processed mayonnaise

Fruits / Vegetables
 Cut/whole raw vegetables
 Cut fruit (other than melon or tomatoes)
 Garlic in water
 Unopened, commercially canned meats and vegetables

Meat
 Commercially manufactured jerky
 Commercially made salted pork or fish
 Pepperoni
 Prosciutto
 Salami

Miscellaneous
 Commercially manufactured icing, glazes
 Peanut butter
 Fish sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, miso paste
 Uncooked, rehydrated rice noodles

19
 Time And Temperature Relationships

8. Time As a Public Health Control

Calcode 114000

When time only, rather than time in conjunction with temperature, is used as a public
health control, proper records and documentation must be maintained.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 Time tracking is not utilized (no time logs or time stickers) for PHFs
 PHF’s time on the sticker has expired.
 New time is written on expired item.
 Foods placed under Time as a Public Health Control is returned back to
temperature control:
 PHF is reheated/refrigerated to reset the time.
 PHF that has expired is saved for next day’s use.

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Written procedures for Time as a Public Health Control are not maintained for
foods that have been previously cooled before using Time as a Public Health
Control.

Corrective Action:
If food is found with improper implementation of Time as a Public Health Control, it
may be determined that food should be voluntarily discarded or impounded. Forms
such as those used for impound or embargo must be completed following the
jurisdiction's procedures. Disposition of any impounded food item shall be
conducted within 30 days as specified in Section 114393.

Notes:
When facility has established with the enforcement agency that Time as a Public
Health Control is used, temperature will not be used as a factor and will not be
considered to be a control method.
Time as a Public Health Control cannot be used for raw eggs in licensed health
care facilities or in public and private school cafeterias. (Section 114000)
Food may not be reheated or refrigerated in an effort to reset holding time while
using Time as a Public Health Control. Additionally, once Time as a Public Health
Control methods are initiated, foods must be discarded after 4 hours.

20
 Time And Temperature Relationships

9. Cooling Methods
Calcode 114002, 114002.1

All potentially hazardous food shall be rapidly cooled from 135°F to 41°F, within 6
hours. The decrease in temperature from 135ºF to 70°F, shall occur within the first 2
hours.
Potentially hazardous food shall be cooled within 4 hours to 41ºF or less if it is
prepared from ingredients at ambient temperature, (such as reconstituted foods and
canned tuna) or it is received at a temperature above 41ºF. Foods received at 45ºF
must be cooled to 41ºF within 4 hours (Section 114037).
Potentially hazardous foods must be rapidly cooled using one or more of the following
methods:
● Placing the food in shallow pans ● Using rapid cooling equipment
● Separating the food into smaller or thinner portions ● Using ice paddles
● Using containers that facilitate heat transfer ● Adding ice as an ingredient
● Inserting appropriately designed containers in an ice bath and stirring frequently
● In accordance with an approved HACCP plan
● Utilizing other effective means as approved by the enforcement agency

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 Food cooling with or without intervention that has exceeded the first critical
time/temp limit of 70ºF.
 Food cooling with or without intervention that has exceeded the second critical
time/temperature limit of 41ºF.

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Food cooling without intervention and has not exceeded the first critical time/
temperature limit. Approved intervention or rapid reheating shall be initiated
immediately.

21
 Time And Temperature Relationships

10. Cooking Time and Temperatures

Calcode 114004, 114008, 114010

Fruits and vegetables that are cooked for hot holding shall be cooked to a minimum
temperature of 135ºF.
Single pieces of beef, lamb, veal, and pork; fish; or raw shell eggs that are broken and
prepared in response to a consumer’s order and served for immediate service, shall
be heated to 145°F for 15 seconds.
Comminuted meat (ground beef/hamburger/ground Minimum for Ground Meat
pork), injected meats, and raw shell eggs and foods
Temp. (°F) Time
containing raw eggs, that are not prepared as
previously specified, shall be heated to 155°F for 15 145 3 min.
seconds or using the time and cooking temperature 150 1 min.
relationships specified in the following chart:
158 <1 sec.
(instantaneous)

Poultry, baluts, comminuted poultry (ground turkey/ground chicken), stuffed fish /

meat / poultry , and game animals shall be heated to 165°F for 15 seconds.
Raw foods of animal origin cooked in a microwave oven shall meet all of the following
requirements:
1. Be rotated or stirred throughout or midway during cooking to
compensate for uneven distribution of heat.
2. Be covered to retain surface moisture.
3. Be heated to a temperature of at least 165°F in all parts of the food.
4. Stand covered for at least two minutes after cooking to obtain
temperature equilibrium.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 Any variation below the minimum standards set forth by CalCode Sections
114004, 114008, and 114010.
 The final cooking temperature of a chicken patty was measured at 140ºF and
then plated for service.

MINOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

22
 Corrective Action:
If required cooking temperatures are not met, the operator must continue cooking
the food until the proper temperature is reached.

Exceptions:
If the consumer specifically orders the food less than thoroughly cooked (Section
114093).
The food facility notifies the consumer in writing, at the time of ordering that the
food is raw or less than thoroughly cooked.
Whole beef roasts, corned beef roasts, pork roasts and cured pork roasts, such as
ham, shall be cooked as specified in both of the following:

1. In an oven that is preheated to the temperature specified for the roast’s weight
in the following chart and that is held at that temperature:

Oven Temperature based on roast weight

Oven Type
Less than 10 lbs 10 lbs or more
Still Dry 350°F or more 250°F or more
Convection 325°F or more 250°F or more
High Humidity* 250°F or less 250°F or more
* Relative humidity greater than 90% for at least 1 hour measured in
the cooking chamber or in a moisture impermeable bag that provides
100% humidity.

2. As specified in the following chart, to heat all parts of the food to a

temperature and for the holding time that corresponds to that temperature:

Temp. (°F) Time* (min.) Temp. (°F) Time* (sec.)

130 112 147 134
131 89 149 85
133 56 151 54
135 36 153 34
136 28 155 22
138 18 157 14
140 12 158 0
142 8
144 5
145 4
*Holding time may include post oven heat rise.

23
 Time And Temperature Relationships

11. Reheating Procedures for Hot Holding

Calcode 114014, 114016

Any potentially hazardous food that has been cooked, cooled and subsequently
reheated for hot holding shall be reheated to a temperature of 165°F for at least 15
seconds.

Reheating for hot holding shall be done rapidly, and the time the food is between 41°F
and 165°F shall not exceed two hours.
Remaining unsliced portions of roasts that are cooked as specified under CalCode
Section 114004 may be reheated for hot holding using the oven parameters and
minimum time and temperature conditions as specified in Section 114004.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 Leftover soup served before it reaches 165°F.

MINOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

Exceptions:
Ready-to-eat foods taken from commercially processed, hermetically sealed
containers, or from intact packages from a food processing plant shall be heated to a
temperature of at least 135º F for hot holding. (Section 114016)
Cooked and refrigerated food that is prepared for immediate service in response to an
individual consumer order may be served at any temperature. (Section 114014)

24
 Protection From Contamination

12. Re-service of Returned Food

Calcode 114079

No unpackaged food that has been previously served to a consumer shall be

re-served or later used for human consumption.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 Leftover tortilla chips from one consumer were re-served to another consumer.
 Leftover bread from tables was made into croutons.

MINOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

Exceptions:
A container of food that is not potentially hazardous may be transferred from one
consumer to another if the food is dispensed so that it is protected from
contamination and the container is closed between uses, such as salt and pepper
shakers, a narrow-neck bottle containing ketchup, steak sauce, or if the food, such
as crackers is in an unopened original package and is maintained in sound
condition, and if the food is checked on a regular basis. Undamaged, unopened,
non-potentially hazardous, individually prepackaged food may be re-served to
another customer. (Section 114079)

25
 Protection From Contamination

13. Food in Good Condition, Safe,

and Unadulterated
Calcode 113967, 113976, 113980, 113988,
113990, 114035, 114039.2, 114167, 114254.3

Any food is adulterated if it bears or contains any poisonous or deleterious substance

that may render it impure or injurious to health.
No employee shall commit any act that may cause the contamination or adulteration
of food, food contact surfaces, or utensils.
All food shall be manufactured, produced, prepared, compounded, packed, stored,
transported, kept for sale, and served so as to be pure and free from adulteration and
spoilage; shall have been obtained from approved sources; shall be protected from
dirt, vermin, unnecessary handling, droplet contamination, overhead leakage, or other
environmental sources of contamination; shall otherwise be fully fit for human
consumption.
Ice that has been used as a medium for cooling foods or prepackaged foods shall not
be used for human consumption.
Food shall be inspected as soon as practical upon receipt and prior to any use,
storage, or resale.
Potentially hazardous food shall be inspected for signs of spoilage and randomly
checked for adherence to the temperature requirements as specified in Section
113996.
When received by a food facility, shellstock shall be reasonably free from mud, dead
shellfish and shellfish with broken shells. Dead shellfish or shellstock with badly
broken shells shall be discarded.
A container previously used to store poisonous or toxic materials shall not be used to
store, transport, or dispense food.

26
MAJOR VIOLATIONS

Major violations include any violation of these sections when actual contamination or
adulteration of food has occurred.
 Foreign object found in food (glass, bandage).
 Rodent droppings or cockroach, excessive flies. Note: Many flies hovering or
sitting on food may be documented as a major violation and may lead to
a facility closure.
 Chemical contamination of food.
 Raw meat/juices in contact with ready-to-eat foods or those requiring a lower
final cooking temperature
 Refrigerator condenser leaking directly on food.
 Containers that were previously used to store toxic materials are now used for
food storage (laundry detergent bucket used for food storage).
 A food employee is observed using a utensil more than once to taste food
without properly washing and sanitizing the utensil between uses.
 Washing produce in a warewashing compartment that is unclean.
 Use of moldy, spoiled food.
 Lubricants/cleaners that are not food grade are used on food contact surfaces.
 Bloated or leaking cans.
 Same equipment used for raw meat and ready-to-eat food items without
sanitizing in between use.

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Weevils, moths or fruit flies in food items.

 Moldy food stored in the walk-in refrigerator not intended for service or moldy
food on retail shelf in market.
 Major dents on the rim or seams of cans.
 Employee beverage stored in consumable ice.
 Beverage tubing or cold-plate beverage cooling devices are installed in contact
with ice intended to be used for food or drink.

Corrective Action:
If food is found to be contaminated or adulterated it shall be voluntarily discarded
or impounded.

27
 Protection From Contamination

14a. Food Contact Surfaces Cleaned

and Sanitized
Calcode 113984(d), 114113, 114115, 114117, 114121(a), 114125(b),
114141, 114180(a), 114180(b) (1-4), 114180(c)

All food contact surfaces and utensils shall be cleaned as required.

Utensils and food contact surfaces of equipment must be cleaned and sanitized at the
following times:

 Before each use with a different type of raw food of animal origin such as beef,
fish, lamb, pork, or poultry.
 Each time there is a change from working with raw meats to working with ready
-to-eat foods or produce,
 At any time during the operation when contamination may have occurred.

 If in contact with potentially hazardous food, equipment food contact surfaces

and utensils shall be cleaned at least every 4 hours or as required.

 Before using or storing a food temperature measuring device.

Surfaces of utensils and equipment contacting food that is not potentially hazardous
shall be cleaned in any of the following circumstances:
 At any time when contamination may have occurred.
 At least every 24 hours for iced tea dispensers and consumer self-service
utensils such as tongs, scoops, or ladles.
 Before restocking consumer self-service equipment and utensils such as
condiment dispensers and display containers.
 In equipment such as ice bins and beverage
dispensing nozzles and enclosed components
of equipment such as ice makers, cooking oil
storage tanks and distribution lines, beverage
and syrup dispensing lines or tubes, coffee
bean grinders, and water vending equipment,
at a frequency specified by the manufacturer,
or, absent manufacturer specifications, at a
frequency necessary to preclude accumulation
of soil or mold.

 When a food or beverage container is to be re-filled, it shall be cleaned and

sanitized prior to refilling or refilled using a dispensing system that prevents the
possibility of contamination.

28
A reservoir that is used to supply water to a device, such as a produce fogger shall be
cleaned and maintained in accordance with manufacturer's specifications, or
according to the procedures specified below, whichever is more stringent.
These procedures shall be conducted at least once a week:
 Draining and complete disassembly of the water and aerosol contact parts.
 Brush-cleaning the reservoir, aerosol tubing,
and discharge nozzles with an approved
cleaning solution.
 Flushing the complete system with water to
remove the cleaning solution and particulate
accumulation.
 Rinsing by immersing, spraying, or
swabbing the reservoir, aerosol tubing, and
discharge nozzles with an approved
sanitizer as specified in Section 114099.6.
No fogging devices installed after July 1, 2017 shall
use a reservoir for holding water for fogging, but
shall employ water under pressure for fogging or misting of foods.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 Contamination of food contact surfaces that could result in food contamination.

 Meat slicer not washed at required frequency (every 4 hours or less in facility at
room temperature).
 In-use food contact surfaces (including knives, basting brushes etc.) in contact
with potentially hazardous foods are not cleaned and sanitized a minimum of
every four hours.

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Equipment and utensils that are not currently in use are not clean to sight and
touch.
 Unclean soda nozzles and gun holsters.
 A reservoir that supplies water to a produce fogger is not clean.
 Mold accumulation in the ice machine.
 Soda dispenser unit comes in contact with the drinking portion of the
customer’s cup.

29
Exceptions:
Surfaces of utensils and equipment contacting potentially hazardous food may be
cleaned less frequently than every four hours if any of the following occurs:

 In-use food containers that are kept at proper temperature.

 Utensils and equipment are used to prepare food in a refrigerated room or area
that is maintained at or below 55°F. In that case, the utensils and equipment
shall be cleaned at the frequency that corresponds to the temperature as
depicted in the following chart and the cleaning frequency based on the
ambient temperature of the refrigerated room or area shall be documented and
records shall be maintained in the food facility and made available to the
enforcement agency upon request:

Temperature Cleaning Frequency

5.0°C (41ºF or less) 24 hours

>5.0°C-7.2°C
20 hours
(>41°F-45°F)

>7.2°C-10.0°C
16 hours
(>45°F-50°F)

>10.0°C-12.8°C
10 hours
(>50°F-55°F)

 Containers in serving displays such as salad bars, delis, and cafeteria lines
holding ready-to-eat potentially hazardous foods that are maintained at proper
temperatures are intermittently combined with additional supplies of the same
food that is at the required temperature, and the containers are cleaned and
sanitized at least every 24 hours.
 Thermometers that are kept in food that are at proper temperature.
 In-use utensils are intermittently stored in a container of water in which the
water is maintained at or above 135°F and the utensils and container are
cleaned at least every 24 hours or as needed to preclude accumulation of soil
residues.
 In-use utensils used for moist foods, such as ice cream or mashed potatoes,
are stored in running water of sufficient velocity to flush particulates to the drain
(e.g. dipper well).

30
Exceptions (cont.):
Cleaning of the utensil or food contact surfaces of equipment is not required if the food
contact surface or utensil is in contact with a succession of different raw foods of
animal origin, each requiring a higher cooking temperature as specified in Section
114004 than the previous food, such as preparing raw fish followed by cutting raw
poultry on the same cutting board. (Section 114117(b))

Corrective Actions:
A food facility shall not be operating if there is gross contamination of food contact
surfaces that may result in the contamination of food products. The food facility
shall cease operation of the food facility until all food contact surfaces have been
thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. If found operating, the enforcement officer shall
suspend the permit to operate until the food facility is able to properly clean and
sanitize equipment or utensils. The enforcement officer shall require that all
equipment and utensils be cleaned and sanitized prior to reinstating the permit.

31
 Protection From Contamination

14b. Warewashing and Sanitizing

Procedures
Calcode 114097, 114099.1, 114099.2, 114099.4, 114099.6, 114099.7,
114101, 114105, 114109, 114111, 114185.3(a-c)

Manual warewashing shall be accomplished by using a three-compartment sink

where the utensils are first precleaned, then washed, rinsed, sanitized, and air dried.
All food contact surfaces of utensils and equipment shall be sanitized as required.
Manual sanitization shall be accomplished by one of the following:
 Contact with 100ppm chlorine solution for 30 seconds
 Contact with 200ppm quaternary ammonia solution for 1 minute
 Contact with 25ppm iodine solution for 1 minute
 Contact with water of at least 171°F for 30 seconds
Automatic warewash (low or high temperature) units shall meet manufacturers
specifications for sanitizer concentrations.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 Employee skips sanitization step during manual warewashing.

 In-use waremachine running with sanitizer reading at 0ppm. Note: If the
waremachine cannot be fixed during inspection and no manual
warewashing facilities are available, the facility is subject to closure.
 Water in rinse cycle <150ºF at a high temperature waremachine.
 Dishes/equipment/food contact surface washed manually or in an automatic
waremachine that are still soiled after a full cycle.

32
MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Employee observed washing dishes using approved steps in the wrong order .
 Inadequate contact time with sanitizer (chlorine<30 seconds, quaternary
ammonium<1 minute).
 During manual warewashing chlorine reading <100 ppm but >0ppm.
 Waremachine running with sanitizer reading less than 50 ppm but more than 0
ppm.
 Water in high temperature waremachine reaches 150ºF - 159ºF but not
reaching 160ºF (or manufacturers instructions).
 Towel drying of dishware, skipping the air drying step.
 Equipment and utensils that have been in sanitizer are not allowed to
adequately dry before use.
 The washing temperature in the low temperature automatic waremachine is not
reaching proper washing temperature per manufacturer’s specifications but the
dishes are coming out clean.

Corrective Actions:
A food facility that prepares food shall not be operating if there is no method to
properly clean and sanitize equipment or utensils. The food facility shall cease
operation immediately. The food facility shall remain closed until a method to clean
and sanitize equipment or utensils is provided.
If found operating, the enforcement officer shall suspend the permit to operate
until the food facility is able to properly clean and sanitize equipment or utensils.
The enforcement officer shall require that all equipment and utensils be cleaned
and sanitized prior to reinstating the permit.

Notes:
For warewashing in an automatic unit, manufacturer specifications for sanitizer
concentrations should be followed, usually 50-100ppm chlorine.
Machine sanitization of utensils using high temperature must be at least 160ºF
measured at the utensil surface. (Section 114099.7)

33
 Food From Approved Sources

15. Food Obtained from Approved Source

Calcode 113980, 113982 114021, 114023, 114024, 114025
114027, 114029, 114031, 114041

All food shall be obtained from an approved source.

All food shall be manufactured, produced, prepared,
compounded, packed, stored, transported, kept for sale, and
served so as to be pure and free from adulteration and spoilage;
shall have been obtained from approved sources; shall be
protected from dirt, vermin, unnecessary handling, droplet
contamination, overhead leakage, or other environmental sources
of contamination; shall otherwise be fully fit for human consumption.
Food prepared in a private home, without a Cottage Food permit, may not be used or
offered for sale in a food facility.
Liquid, frozen, and dry eggs and egg products shall be obtained pasteurized.
Shell eggs shall be received clean and sound and shall not exceed the restricted egg
tolerances for United States Consumer Grade B Standards.
Frozen milk products, such as ice cream, shall be obtained pasteurized.
Fluid and dry milk and milk products complying with Grade A standard as specified in
law shall be obtained pasteurized.
Ice for use as a food or a cooling medium shall be made from potable water.
Fish that is received for sale or service shall be commercially and legally caught or
harvested.
Molluscan shellfish shall be obtained from approved sources.
Game animals shall be received from an approved source and shall not be received
for sale or service if it is listed as an endangered or threatened animal by the
Department of Fish and Game.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 Flan made at home by owner.

 Meat from a hunting trip that is sold at the facility.

MINOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

34
Exceptions:
Properly labeled prepackaged raw milk and raw milk products obtained from an
approved source and dispensed and sold at retail by the food facility in compliance
with 17 CCR 11380 are not required to be pasteurized. (Section 114024(d))
The enforcement agency may approve the use of legally obtained donated fish and
game by nonprofit organizations authorized to serve meals to indigent persons.
"Fish," as used in this subdivision, shall be defined as that term is used in Section 45
of the Fish and Game Code. "Game," as used in this subdivision, means any game
bird, as defined in Section 3500 of the Fish and Game Code, or game mammal, as
defined in Section 3950 of the Fish and Game Code. (Section 114031)

Corrective Actions:
If food is from an unapproved, unsafe, or otherwise unverifiable source, the food
must be voluntarily discarded or impounded.

Cottage Foods Requirements

Class A Registration: Sold directly from Cottage Food Operator (CFO) to Consumer.
Class B Registration: Sold directly from CFO to Retail Food Facilities (e.g., markets,
bakeries, restaurants)

Labeling: All cottage food products must be properly labeled in compliance

with the Federal, Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. Sec.
343 et seq.). It shall include: ● “Made in a Home Kitchen” or
“Repackaged in a Home Kitchen” in 12-point type ● Name
commonly used for the food product ● Name of CFO which
produced the food product ● Registration or permit number of
the cottage food operation which produced the cottage food
product and the name of the local enforcement agency that
issued the number ● Product ingredients in descending
order by net weight

In a permitted food facility, cottage food products served without packaging or

labeling shall be identified to the customer as “homemade” on the menu, menu
board or other easily accessible location.

For more information on Cottage Foods, visit

[Link]/EH/FoodProtect-RetailFood/Pages/[Link]

35
 Food From Approved Sources

16. Shellstock Identification Tags

Calcode 114039, 114039.1, 114039.3, 114039.4

Shellstock shall be obtained in containers that bear legible source

identification tags. Shellstock tags shall remain attached to
the container that they are received in until the container is
empty.
Tags shall be maintained at the food facility in chronological
order correlating to the sale date for 90 calendar days. The source of the shellstock
on display shall be identified. Shellstock that are portioned or prepackaged shall have
a copy of the corresponding shellstock tag.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 Missing or incomplete shellfish certification tags.

 Shellfish tags are not kept on file for a minimum of 90 days.

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Tags kept on file for 90 days are not stored in chronological order from the date
of sale.
 Previously frozen shellstock is not labeled.

Corrective Actions:
A package of raw shucked shellfish or shellstock that does not bear a label or that
bears a label that does not contain all the information required by Section
114039.1 subdivision (a) shall be voluntarily discarded or impounded.

36
 Food From Approved Sources

17. Shellstock Display and Commingling

Calcode 114039.4(c), 114039.5, Title 17 CA Code of Regulations § 13675

Except in accordance with an approved HACCP plan, molluscan shellfish life-support

system display tanks shall not be used to display shellfish that are offered for human
consumption. Exception: No HACCP is required if the display tank was installed
before 7/1/07.
Food facility shall ensure that shellstock from one tagged or labeled container are not
commingled with shellstock from another container with different certification
numbers.
Raw Gulf Oysters shall not be offered for sale, without evidence of approved
treatment, between the months of April 1 - October 31.
Raw Gulf Oyster warning signs are required to be posted for untreated oysters
between the months of November 1 - March 31.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 Same species shellfish from two different bags with different harvest
information stored together (commingled).
 Shellfish stored in tanks with the same water recirculation system with
crustaceans, fish, or sea snails.

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Different species of shellfish stored together (commingled), but can be easily

differentiated.
 Self-service customer operation at molluscan shellfish tank.

Corrective Actions:
Same species shellfish that are commingled or improperly stored and cannot be
differentiated for separation shall be voluntarily discarded or impounded.
Immediately remove untreated Gulf Oysters from sale during banned months
(April 1-October 31) unless evidence is provided that the oysters have been
treated by a method approved by the California Department of Health Services
Food and Drug Branch. If signs are missing during November 1-March 31,
immediate corrective action should be taken to provide the approved signage.

37
 Conformance With Approved Procedures

18. HACCP Requirements

Calcode 113799, 113801, 114039.5, 114057, 114057.1,
114417.6, 114419, 114419.1, 114419.2, 114419.3

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point plan (HACCP) means a written document that
complies with the requirements of Section 114419.1 and that delineates the formal
procedures for following the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point principles
developed by the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods.
These principles include completion of the following basic steps:
a) Completion of hazard analysis identification by identifying the likely hazards to
consumers presented by a specific food.
b) Determination of critical control points in receiving, storage, preparation,
displaying, and dispensing of a food.
c) Setting of measurable critical limits for each critical control point determined.
d) Developing and maintaining monitoring practices to determine if critical limits are
being met.
e) Developing and utilizing corrective action plans when failure to meet critical
limits is detected.
f) Establishing and maintaining a recordkeeping system to verify adherence to an
HACCP plan.
g) Establishing a system of audits to do both of the following:
1. Initially verify the effectiveness of the critical limits set and
appropriateness of the determination of critical control points.
2. Periodically verify the effectiveness of the HACCP plan.
Potentially hazardous foods that are packed by the food facility in reduced oxygen
packaging or have been partially cooked and sealed in any container or configuration
that creates anaerobic conditions shall be plainly date coded. The date coding shall
state "Use By," followed by the appropriate month, day, and year.
Food facilities may engage in the following only pursuant to an HACCP plan that has
been approved by the California Department of Public Health:
1) Using acidification or water activity to prevent the growth of Clostridium
botulinum.
2) Packaging potentially hazardous food using a reduced oxygen packaging
method as specified in Section 114057.1.

38
If the California Department of Public Health grants a variance, or if an HACCP plan is
required pursuant to Section 114419, the permit holder shall follow all requirements
listed in CalCode.
Food facilities may engage in any of the following activities only pursuant to an
HACCP plan as specified in Section 114419.1:
1) Smoking food as a method of food preservation rather than as a method of
flavor enhancement.
2) Curing food.
3) Using food additives or adding components such as vinegar as a method of
food preservation rather than as a method of flavor enhancement, or to render
a food so that it is not potentially hazardous.
4) Operating a molluscan shellfish life support system display tank used to store
and display shellfish that are offered for human consumption.
5) Custom processing animals that are for personal use as food and not for sale
or service in a food facility.
6) Preparing food by another method that is determined by the enforcement
agency to require an HACCP plan.

See CalCode Section 114057.1(d).

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 The food facility is not following the California Department of Public Health
approved HACCP plan procedures.

 The food facility has obtained a Variance from the California Department of
Public Health to allow for deviation from specific code requirements and is not
following the approved variance conditions or procedures.

 The food facility is reduced oxygen packaging fresh fish.

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 If the food facility operator is utilizing a practice that requires a HACCP plan
without having an approved written HACCP plan, or is not following the
HACCP plan as written.

39
Minor Violations (cont.):

 If the food facility operator is utilizing any of the following practices without a
written HACCP plan, or is not following the HACCP plan as written:

 Smoking food as a method of preservation

 Curing food

 Using food additives as a method of preservation or as a means to

change the food to non-PHF

 Operating a molluscan shellfish life support tank for shellfish intended for
human consumption

 Preparing food by another method that requires a HACCP plan as

determined by the enforcement officer.

Exceptions:
Food that is labeled with the production time and date, held at 41F or below, and
removed from its package in the food facility within 48 hours after packaging, is not
required to have an HACCP plan. (CalCode Section 114057.1(d))
Except for fish that is frozen before, during, and after packaging, a food facility shall
not package fish using a reduced oxygen packaging method. (CalCode Section
114057.1(c)).
Whole Chinese-style roast duck (CalCode Section 114425) and Korean Rice Cakes
(CalCode Section 114429) do not require a HACCP plan.

Corrective Actions:
If a California Department of Public Health variance is issued, a copy of the
document must be kept at the food facility and provided to the enforcement officer
upon request. If it is determined during an inspection that the alternate procedures
detailed in the variance letter or HACCP Plan are not being followed, the
enforcement officer shall impound the affected food products and notify the
California Department of Public Health in writing as soon as possible.

Notes:
Except for HACCP plans requiring approval by the California Department of Public
Health, HACCP plans do not require prior approval by the enforcement agency
prior to implementation.
If it is determined during an inspection that a HACCP plan is required, the written
HACCP plan and supporting documentation should be reviewed. The specific food
handling procedures detailed in the HACCP plan should then be evaluated to
verify that the HACCP plan is being followed as written.

40
 Consumer Advisory

19. Consumer Advisory for

Undercooked Food
Calcode 114012, 114093, 114093.1
Ready-to-eat food containing undercooked, raw animal foods, including beef, eggs,
fish, lamb, milk, pork, poultry, or shellfish may only be served if the food facility permit
holder shall inform consumers of the significantly increased risk of consuming such
foods.
A consumer advisory requires a disclosure and a reminder.
A disclosure is a clearly written statement that includes either:
1) A description of the animal-derived foods, such as “oysters on the half shell
(raw oysters), “raw-egg Caesar salad” and “hamburger (can be cooked to
order) or
2) Identification of animal derived foods marked by an asterisk (*) directing to a
footnote that states that the items are served raw or undercooked, or contain or
may contain raw or undercooked ingredients.
A reminder is a written statement that identifies the animal-derived foods by an
asterisk that marks a footnote that includes either of the following disclosure
statements:
1) Written information regarding the safety of these food items is available upon
request or
2) Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may
increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical
conditions.

Unlabeled or unpackaged confectionery food containing more than ½% alcohol may

only be served if the facility provides written notice to the consumer.

41
MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Pasteurized eggs or pasteurized egg products are not substituted for raw shell
eggs in foods such as Caesar salad dressing or Hollandaise sauce and no
consumer warning is provided.
 Raw Oysters on the half shell is missing a disclosure and reminder statement
on the menu.

Exceptions:
Raw or undercooked animal foods shall not be served to a highly susceptible
population.
Ready-to-eat raw, comminuted meat cannot be offered on a children’s menu.
Raw, whole beef steak that is cooked to 145°F on all external surfaces is considered
ready-to-eat and does not require a consumer advisory.

DID YOU Common Examples of Foods That May Contain Raw or Undercooked
KNOW? Animal-Derived Foods and Require a Consumer Advisory
including but not limited to:

 house-made Caesar salad dressing

 house-made mayonnaise, hollandaise, or aioli
 tiramisu
 beverages containing raw egg whites (e.g. Gin
Fizz, Whiskey Sour)
 sushi
 ceviche
 steak tartare

42
 Highly Susceptible Populations

20. School and Licensed Health Care

Prohibited Foods
Calcode 114091

Prohibited foods may not be offered in licensed health care facilities or public/ private
schools.
Prohibited foods include:

 Unpasteurized juice, fluid milk or dry milk

 Unpasteurized shell eggs are used, unless raw eggs are used for one
consumer's serving at a single meal and cooked as required by code, or
combined as an ingredient before baking and thoroughly cooked to a
ready-to-eat form, or the facility is operating pursuant to a HACCP Plan.

 Raw or undercooked meat products

 Raw seed sprouts

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 Serving any of the foods listed above.

 Raw seed sprouts are served.

 Ready-to-eat foods that contain raw food of an animal origin or partially cooked
foods are served.

MINOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

Corrective Action:
Food shall be voluntarily discarded or impounded.

43
 Water/ Hot Water

21. Hot and Cold Water Supply

Calcode 113953(c), 114189, 114192, 114192.1, 114195

An adequate, protected, pressurized, potable supply of hot water and cold water shall
be provided.

Hot water shall be supplied at a minimum temperature

of 120°F measured from the warewashing, prep sink
and mop sink faucets.

Handwashing facilities shall be equipped to provide

warm water (100°F) under pressure for a minimum of
15 seconds through a mixing valve or combination
faucet.

A food preparation sink shall be provided with hot and cold running water through a
mixing valve.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 Hot water from the faucet at warewashing sinks is less than 100°F and utensils
remain soiled after warewashing.

 Contaminated or unapproved water supply.

 No potable water is available to the facility.

Note: If any of the above scenario occurs, facility may be subject to closure.

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Hot water from the faucet less than 120°F, provided effective warewashing can
be achieved, and wares are coming out clean and not soiled.

 Water <100°F at the handwash sink, or above 108F through a mixing valve
and hands can still be washed.

Exceptions:
A food facility may provide only warm water if the water supply is used only for
handwashing, as required in Section 113953.

44
 Corrective Actions:
A food facility with hot water measured below 100°F at the warewashing sink
faucet shall immediately correct the violation (relighting a pilot light for example),
find a suitable alternative, or cease food preparation in the impacted areas until
water, hot water, or potable water is restored.
If there is no water, or the water supply is contaminated, a food facility shall
immediately cease preparation of foods. In each of these cases, the food facility
shall close or discontinue food preparation (and only sell prepackaged food items).
The water temperature, once it reaches maximum, must remain at the required
temperature. Peaks and valleys in water temperature may be due to an
inadequately sized water heater.

Installation of a new water heater that is of a different make, model or

size than what was previously approved may require Plan Review
DID YOU approval. Contact EMD Plan Review at (916) 874-6010 prior to making
KNOW? changes.

45
 Liquid Waste Disposal

22. Sewage and Wastewater Disposal

Calcode 114197, 114201

Liquid waste shall be disposed through the approved plumbing system and shall
discharge into the public sewerage or into an approved private sewage disposal
system.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 Overflows or back-ups of sewage / wastewater into

the food facility.

 A clogged floor sink/grease interceptor that

adversely impacts the use of necessary equipment.
Note: If any of the above scenarios occur, facility
may be subject to closure.

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Mop water disposed of in parking lot.

 Condensation line from walk-in refrigerator draining outside into parking lot.

Corrective Actions:
In the event the overflow from the facility is occurring outside, the source of the
discharge must immediately cease.

46
 Vermin

23. Vermin and Animal Contamination

Calcode 113903, 114259, 114259.1, 114259.4, 114259.5

Each food facility shall be kept free of vermin: rodents (rats, mice), cockroaches, flies.
Service animals may have limited access to food preparation
and dining areas as specified in section 114259.4 and 114259.5.
Service animal means any dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the
benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric,
intellectual, or other mental disability, or that is in training to do that work or perform
those tasks. It does not include any other species of animals, whether wild or
domestic, trained or untrained.
The work or tasks performed by a service animal shall include assisting individuals
who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals
who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing
nonviolent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual
during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items
such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with
balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, or helping person with
psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or
destructive behaviors.
The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional
support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the
purposes of the section.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 Cockroaches, rodents, flies and similar disease carrying vermin are present
within the food facility. Evidence of their presence would
include: live bodies, fresh droppings, vomitus, urine stains,
or gnaw marks. The presence of vermin has caused, or
would be likely to cause contamination of food,
equipment, packaging, or utensils.

Evidence of cockroach, rodent or fly infestation may be subject to facility

closure.

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Insects that do not carry disease, such as weevils and gnats, present in facility.
 Live animals (other than service animals) are allowed in a food facility.

47
Notes and Exceptions:
Food employees with service animals may handle or care for their service animals if
they wash their hands as required.
Live animals may be allowed in specific situations (service animals) if the
contamination of food, clean equipment, utensils, linens, and unwrapped single-use
articles cannot result.
Pets may be in outdoor dining areas, provided that there is no food preparation, and
that they enter through a separate outdoor entrance.

Compliance Recommendations:

 Clean all areas of food debris and grease on a daily basis.

Ensure facility is thoroughly cleaned by night, to prevent food
foraging by nocturnal pests.
 Seal all gaps, cracks and holes in facility to prevent harborage.
 Provide routine preventative professional pest control service.
 Place monitoring traps (glue traps) throughout facility to monitor
areas that are highly susceptible to cockroach or rodent
infestations.
 Remove dead cockroaches to prevent hatching of egg sacs.

Cockroaches
The most common cockroach species in a commercial kitchen is the
German cockroach. The kitchen environment, with food, moisture, heat
and harborage areas, is ideal for the species to live and breed. Each
DID YOU German cockroach ootheca (egg sac) can hatch up to 50 eggs. Lack of
KNOW?
cleaning and pest control can result in an infestation.

German Egg Sac German Nymph German Adult

Rodents
Rodents can squeeze through a
gap of 1/4 inch. Rat Mouse
Droppings Droppings

Rodents and cockroaches are nocturnal pests. Observation of live activity

during the day is evidence of an infestation. Facility may be subject to closure
until the infestation has been eliminated.

48
 Supervision

24. Person in Charge is Present

and Performs Duties
Calcode 113820.5, 113945, 113945.1, 113947, 113984.1, 114075

A “Person in Charge” who is responsible for operation of facility shall be present at

the food facility during all hours of operation.
The “Person in Charge” shall have knowledge of safe food handling practices as they
relate to the specific food preparation activities that occur at the food facility.
The “Person in Charge” shall have adequate knowledge of major food allergens,
foods identified as major food allergens, and the symptoms that a major food allergen
could cause in a sensitive individual who has an allergic reaction. They shall also
educate food employees on major food allergens.
The “Person in Charge” shall restrict unnecessary animals from entering the facility.
The “Person in Charge” must ensure that customer access through preparation area
is limited and in compliance with requirements.
Consumers shall be notified that clean tableware is to be used when they return to
self-service areas such as salad bars and buffets.
Drinking cups may be refilled provided that the refill process does not permit
contamination.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 The Person in Charge is not present during operating hours.

 Customers are allowed access through the food preparation area.
 Consumers are not notified orally or in writing that they must use clean
tableware when returning to self-service areas such as salad bars and buffets.
 Person in Charge does not know any of the major food allergens or their
symptoms.
 Animals (not service animals) allowed in the food facility by the Person in
Charge.

Notes:
The permit holder or person designated by the permit holder is the person in
charge (PIC). The PIC does not have to be the certified food safety manager
certificate holder.

49
 Personal Cleanliness

25. Personal Cleanliness and

Hair Restraints
Calcode 113968, 113969, 113971

All employees preparing, serving or handling food or

utensils shall wear clean, washable outer garments or
uniforms and shall wear a hairnet, cap, or other suitable
covering to confine hair.

Food employees shall keep their fingernails trimmed, filed,

and maintained so the edges and surfaces are cleanable and not rough.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Food employees preparing, serving or handling food or

utensil are not wearing hair restraints.
 Food employees coming into work with visibly
unclean clothing.
 Food employees observed with unclean fingernails.

Exceptions:
Food employees such as counter staff, who only serve beverages and wrapped or
prepackaged foods, host and wait staff, need not confine their hair if the hair presents
a minimal risk of contaminating non-prepackaged food, clean equipment, utensils,
linens, and/or unwrapped single-use articles.

50
 General Food Safety Requirements

26. Thawing Methods

Calcode 114018, 114020

Food shall be thawed under refrigeration; completely submerged under cold running
water (≤70°F) of sufficient velocity to flush loose particles for a period not to exceed
two hours; in microwave oven, if immediately followed by preparation; or during the
cooking process.

Thaw meat on bottom shelf Cold running water Microwave Cooking process

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

Note: Improper thawing that allows food in the temperature danger zone may result in
an improper holding violation. See Violation #7.

MINOR VIOLATIONS

Potentially hazardous food is observed not being thawed by one of the following
approved procedures:
 Water temperature above 70°F in use to thaw food.
 Food thawing under running water is not completely submerged.
 Potentially hazardous foods thawing at room temperature on the counter top
and not under refrigeration.

 Monitor the food frequently to see if food has fully thawed to

41°F.

 Break up large, frozen pieces of food during the process for

even thawing. Example: frozen blocks of shrimp.

 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

requires removing fish from the reduced
oxygen packaging prior to thawing under
refrigeration or prior to, or immediately upon
completion of, its thawing using approved
procedures.

51
 General Food Safety Requirements

27. Food Protected from Contamination

Calcode 113984, 113986, 114060, 114069, 114077,
114073, 114089.1(c), 114143(c-d)

All food shall be separated and protected from contamination.

Food preparation shall be conducted within a fully enclosed food facility.

Food shall be protected from cross-contamination.

Food on display shall be protected from contamination by the use of packaging,

covers, sneeze guards, containers with tight-fitting securely attached lids, display
cases, mechanical dispensers, or other effective means.

Overhead protection shall be provided above all food preparation, food display, and
food storage areas.

French style, hearth-baked, or hard-crusted loaves or rolls shall be considered

properly wrapped if contained in an open-end bag that encloses the loaves or rolls.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Food items stored in open/uncovered bag or container.

 Raw meat or other raw products of animal origin stored above ready-to-eat
food items and there is a potential for cross contamination.
 Food is not being prepared in a fully enclosed food facility.
 Preparing food in a dining room, office or any other unapproved area.
 Uncovered ready-to-eat foods displayed for sale on counter.
 Foods other than prepackaged non-potentially hazardous food or uncut
produce are displayed outdoors.
 Bulk milk container dispensing tubes not cut diagonally so as to leave no more
than 1 inch protruding from the chilled dispensing head.
 The open-air barbecue or outdoor wood burning oven is not separated from
public access to prevent food contamination or injury to public.
 Use of a cutting board on top of a trash can, or other contaminated surface.
 Beverage bottles/cans stored in drink barrel cooler in a customer self service
area floating in ice water or completely submerged in water.
 Food stored under a soap or paper towel dispenser.

52
Exceptions:
Food does not have to be stored in packages, covered containers, or wrappings if:
1. It is whole uncut raw fruits, vegetables, and nuts in the shell.
2. Primal cuts of raw meat hung on clean, sanitized hooks or racks.
3. Food is in the cooling process.
4. It is shellstock.
Note: These are acceptable provided that proper temperature conditions, as
required, are met.

Proper Food Storage in Refrigerators and Freezers

TOP
Ready-to-Eat Foods

Raw Seafood and Eggs (Final Cook Temp. 145°F)

Raw Whole Meats -Beef, Pork- (Final Cook Temp. 145°F)

Raw Ground Meats (Final Cook Temp. 155°F)

Raw Poultry (Final Cook Temp. 165°F)

BOTTOM

53
 General Food Safety Requirements

28. Washing Fruits and Vegetables

Calcode 113992
Produce shall be thoroughly washed in potable water prior to being cut, combined
with other ingredients, cooked, served, or offered for human consumption.

Chemicals used to wash or peel produce shall meet the requirements specified in 21
C.F.R. 173.315 to ensure they are safe for use on food products.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Raw whole produce has not been washed prior to being cut, combined with
other ingredients, cooked, served, or offered for human consumption in the
ready-to-eat form.

Exceptions:
Produce that is intended for washing by the consumer before consumption such as
that found in the produce section of a retail market.
Produce that comes prewashed and commercially packaged is not required to be
washed before serving.

54
 General Food Safety Requirements

29. Identification and Storage of

Toxic Substances
Calcode 114254, 114254.1, 114254.2

Only those pesticides that are necessary and specifically

approved for use in a food facility may be used (in accordance
with the manufacturer's instructions).
All poisonous substances, detergents, bleaches, cleaning
compounds, shall be stored and used only in a manner that is
not likely to cause contamination or adulteration of food, food
contact surfaces, utensils, or packaging materials.
Containers of poisonous or toxic materials and personal care
items shall bear a legible manufacturer's label. Glass Cleaner

Working containers of cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk

supplies shall be clearly and individually identified with the
common name of the material.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Household pesticide unapproved for use at food facility in use at food facility.
 Spray bottle for cleaner lacking legible label.
 Chemicals not stored separate from food items.

Exceptions:
Equipment and utensil cleaners and sanitizers may be stored in a warewashing area
for availability, if these materials are stored to prevent contamination of food,
equipment, utensils, linens, and single-use articles.

55
 Food Storage / Display / Service

30a. Food Stored in Approved Location

Calcode 114047, 114049, 114053, 114055, 114069(b)
Adequate and suitable space shall be provided for the storage of food.
Food shall be protected from contamination by storing the food in a clean, dry
location, where it is not exposed to splash, dust, vermin, or other forms of
contamination or adulteration, and at least six inches above the floor.
Food shall not be stored in lockers, toilet rooms, dressing rooms, refuse rooms,
mechanical rooms, under unshielded sewer lines, leaking water lines, under
stairwells, under other sources of contamination.
Products that are held for credit, redemption, or return to the distributor, such as
damaged, spoiled, or recalled products, shall be segregated and held in designated
areas that are separated from food, equipment, utensils, linens and single-use articles
and stored in a sanitary manner to prevent adulteration of other foods and shall not
contribute to a vermin problem.
Prepackaged nonpotentially hazardous foods or uncut produce displayed outdoors
during operating hours, must be stored inside the fully enclosed food facility during
non-business hours.
Prepackaged foods may not be stored in direct contact with ice or water if the food is
subject to the entry of water.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Food is not stored at least 6 inches above the floor

 Food stored in places other than the approved location, such as outside of
permitted facility.

56
Exceptions:
Food in packages and working containers may be stored less than six inches above
the floor on case lot handling equipment as specified under Section 114165.
Pressurized beverage containers, cased food in waterproof containers such as bottles
or cans, and milk containers in plastic crates may be stored on a floor that is clean
and not exposed to moisture. (Section 114047 (d))
Items in enclosed packages may be stored less than six inches above the floor on
dollies, pallets, racks, or skids that are designed to be easily movable. (Section
114178 (d))

Food Storage / Display / Service

30b. Food Containers Labeled

Calcode 114051

Working containers holding food or food ingredients shall be identified with the
common name of the food, except those foods that can be readily and unmistakably
recognized.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Bulk food storage containers without any labels.

 Spray bottle on preparation table without a label.

flour
sugar

Exceptions:
Containers holding food that can be readily and unmistakably recognized, such as dry
pasta, rice or beans need not be identified.

57
 Food Storage / Display / Service

31. Consumer Self-Service Operations

Calcode 114063, 114065, 114063, 114075
Non prepackaged food may be displayed in bulk for consumer self-service if all of the
following conditions are satisfied:
1) A label is provided. Nonfood items shall be displayed and stored in an area
separate from food.
2) A suitable food dispensing utensil is provided for each container.
3) Consumer self-service operations such as buffets and salad bars shall be
checked periodically on a regular basis by food employees trained in safe
operating procedures.
Consumer self-service bulk beverage dispensing operations may not be required to
be located within an enclosed facility if all the requirements in Section 114065 are
met.
Raw, non prepackaged food of animal origin, such as beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and
eviscerated fish, shall not be offered for consumer self-service.
Consumers shall be notified that clean tableware is to be used
when they return to self-service areas
such as salad bars and buffets.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 A food scooping utensil is not provided for each container at the buffet and
salad bars.

 Consumer self-service bulk beverage dispensers are not properly operated or

maintained.

 Unwrapped straws stored in unenclosed dispenser for customer self-service.

 Utensils (spoons, forks) stored with mouth part exposed in customer

self-service area.

 Raw, non-prepackaged food of animal origin such as lamb, beef, pork, poultry,
and eviscerated fish is offered for customer self service.

 Consumers re-use the same plate when they return to the buffet.

58
Exceptions:
Produce and food requiring further processing, except raw food of animal origin, may
be displayed on open counters or in containers.
Salad bar and buffet-type food service or salad bars that serve foods such as sushi or
raw shellfish do not require labels.
Ready-to-cook individual portions for immediate cooking and consumption on the
premises, such as consumer-cooked meats or consumer-selected ingredients for
Mongolian barbecue, or raw foods such as: frozen shrimp, lobster, finfish, or scallop
abductor muscle, or frozen breaded seafood.
French style, hearth-baked, or hard-crusted loaves and rolls shall be considered
properly wrapped if contained in an open-end bag of sufficient size to enclose the
loaves or rolls.

Food Storage / Display / Service

32a. Food Presentation and Labeling

Calcode 114087, 114088, 114089, 114089.1, 114090, 114093.1
Any food is misbranded if its labeling is false or misleading, if it is offered for sale
under the name of another food, or if it is an imitation of another food for which a
definition and standard of identity has been established by regulation.
Food offered for human consumption shall be honestly presented in a way that does
not mislead or misinform the consumer.
Food prepackaged in a food facility shall bear a label that complies with the labeling
requirements prescribed by the Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law, Part 5 and
label information shall include:
1) The common name of the food.
2) If made from two or more ingredients, a list of ingredients in descending order of
predominance by weight, including a declaration of artificial color or flavor and
chemical preservatives, if contained in the food.
3) An accurate declaration of the quantity of contents.
4) The name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor.
Bulk food that is available for consumer self-service shall be prominently labeled with
either of the following information in plain view of the consumer:
1) The manufacturer's or processor's label that was provided with the food.
2) A card, sign, or other method of notification that includes the information
specified above.

59
Bakery items that are not considered bulk food available to the consumer shall have a
protective wrapping which bears a label which complies with the Sherman Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Law, Part 5 commencing with section 109875. Note: Bakery
products sold directly to a restaurant, catering service, retail bakery, or sold over the
counter directly to the consumer by the manufacturer or bakery distributor shall be
exempt from these labeling requirements.
Cottage Food Labeling requirements also apply. Refer to violation #15 for additional
information on Cottage Food Labeling requirements.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 "Fresh" fish is advertised, but the fish had been frozen.

 “Quarter pounder” is not ¼ lb before cooking.

 Pink light shields used in a meat display case, to disguise browning meat.

 Bulk food available for consumer self-service does not have label information
or does not have a sign or other method of notification that includes the label
information.

 Any prepackaged food item (regardless of whether item was packaged at the
retail facility or at the manufacturer level) that does not bear a label that
complies with the labeling requirements as prescribed by the Sherman Food,
Drug and Cosmetic Law.

 The manufacturer's dating

information on foods is concealed.

 Missing pertinent information on a

label for Cottage Food items.

The Nuts Roasted Cashews

123 Main St., Sacramento, CA
Ingredients: cashews, peanut oil, salt
Net wt. 21 oz.

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 Food Storage / Display / Service

32b. Compliance with Trans Fat Ban

Calcode 114377

No food containing artificial trans fat may be stored,

distributed, served by, or used in the preparation
of any food within a food facility.
Every food facility shall maintain on the
premises, the label for any food that
contains fat, oil, or shortening, for as long as
this food is stored, distributed, served by, or
used in the preparation of food within the food
facility. Food sold or served in a manufacturer's original
sealed package is exempt from this requirement.
A food contains artificial trans fat if the food contains vegetable shortening,
margarine, or any kind of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, unless the label
required on the food, pursuant to applicable federal and state law, lists the trans fat
content as less than 0.5 grams per serving.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Food served to customers contain 0.5 g or more of artificial trans fats and
contains partially hydrogenated oils as part of the ingredients.

 Missing trans fat information for any

foods that contain fat, oil, or shortening
that are stored, distributed, served by,
or used in the preparation of any food
in the facility.

Exceptions:
Trans fat requirements shall not apply to:

 Food sold or served in a manufacturer’s original, sealed package.

 Public elementary, middle, junior high or high school cafeterias

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 Food Storage / Display / Service

32c. Compliance with Menu Labeling

Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 101.11 (21 CFR 101.11)
Calcode 114094

All restaurants, grocery stores, and similar retail food establishments require menu
labeling if all of the following apply:
1) Part of a chain with 20 or more locations nationwide (regardless of the type of
ownership)
2) Doing business under the same name (regardless of the type of ownership,
such as individual franchises) and
3) Offering for sale substantially the same menu items and restaurant-type foods.

Facilities are required to:

 Display calories clearly and prominently on menus, menu boards, and

drive-thru displays for standard menu items. Calorie information must be
displayed on signs near menu items in the case of self-service, buffet and
cafeteria lines.

 Food facility must use the term “Calories” or “Cal” as a column heading or
adjacent to the number of calories for each standard menu item.

 Nutritional information must be available in written form on the premises of the

establishment and provided to the consumer upon request. Nutritional
information includes data on total calories, calories from fat, total fat, saturated
fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrate, fiber, sugars, and protein.

 Post a statement advising consumers that further written nutritional information

is available on request for standard menu items. Example: “Additional nutrition
information available upon request”.

 Include a succinct statement on the menu advising guests how calories fit into
a recommended daily diet. Example “2,000 calories a day is used for general
nutrition advice, but calorie needs vary”.

For more U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Menu Labeling information, visit:
[Link]/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation

62
MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Chain restaurant does not list calorie count on the menu, displayed food or
self-service food/ beverage.
 Calorie font size is smaller than the name or price of the menu item.
 Missing “Calories” or “Cal” next to the standard menu item.
 Missing daily caloric intake statement on the bottom of each menu board or
page(s)
 Additional nutrition information is not available upon request.
Exceptions: School cafeterias, food trucks, planes, trains, hotels with
complimentary breakfast, and in-patient only food service

Equipment / Utensils / Linen

33. Nonfood Contact Surfaces Clean

Calcode 114115 (b), 114257

Nonfood contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust,

dirt, food residue, and other debris.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Shelving throughout facility is sticky/dirty.

 Grime buildup on underside of refrigerator door handle.
 Grease accumulation on sides of deep fryer.
 Floor sinks have slime buildup.
 Floors or walls have old food debris and grease.
 Ceiling vents have an accumulation of dirt and dust buildup.

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 Equipment / Utensils / Linen

34. Warewashing Facilities and

Testing Methods
Calcode 114099, 114067(f), 114067(g), 114099.3, 114099.5,
114101, 114101.1, 114101.2, 114103, 114107

A warewashing machine shall be provided with an easily accessible and readable

data plate affixed to the machine by the manufacturer that indicates the machine's
design and operating specifications.
A warewashing machine shall be equipped with a temperature measuring device that
indicates the temperature of the water as the water enters the hot water sanitizing
final rinse manifold or in the chemical sanitizing solution tank.
All warewashing sinks shall be provided with two integral metal drainboards of
adequate size, sloped in construction.
Testing equipment and materials shall be provided to
adequately measure the applicable sanitization method.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 The food facility prepares food and does not have two integral metal drain
boards on the 3-compartment sink.
 Sink compartments are not large enough to accommodate the largest piece of
equipment or utensil and facility does not have any procedure in place to wash
rinse and sanitize the larger utensils.
 The drain boards are unavailable for use during active
warewashing.
 Lack of plugs/stoppers to fill up the warewashing sink.
 Mechanical warewashing machine is not installed and
operated according to manufacturer's specifications.
 The warewashing machine does not have readable data plate affixed to the
machine by the manufacturer that lists the machine's design and operating
specifications.
 A facility with a high-temperature warewashing machine, requiring 160°F on
the utensil surface, lacks an irreversible registering temperature indicator.
 Means for adequately measuring the applicable sanitization method are not
readily available (ex. sanitizer test strips, thermal strips).

64
Exceptions:
A two compartment sink that is in use on January 1, 1996, need not be replaced when
used as specified in Section 114099.3(e). Facilities with a 2-compartment sink that is
approved and in use on January 1, 1996, may wash and rinse in the first
compartment then sanitize in the second compartment.
Restricted food service facilities need not comply with ANSI certification requirements
if the domestic or commercial dishwasher utilized for warewashing is capable of
providing heat to the surface of the utensils of a temperature of at least 160°F.

Equipment / Utensils / Linen

35. Equipment Approved and Maintained

Calcode 114101(a), 114175, 114130, 114130.1-114130.6,
114132, 114133, 114137, 114139, 114153, 114163,
114165, 114169, 114177, 114185.2

All utensils and equipment shall be fully operative and in good repair. All utensils and
equipment shall be approved, installed properly, and meet applicable standards.
Multiuse food contact surfaces shall be all of the following: smooth; free of breaks,
open seams, cracks, chips, inclusions, pits, and similar imperfections; free of sharp
internal angles, corners, and crevices; finished to have smooth welds and joints;
accessible for cleaning.
Nonfood contact surfaces of equipment that are exposed to splash, spillage, or other
food soiling or that require frequent cleaning shall be constructed of a
corrosion-resistant, nonabsorbent, and smooth material that allows easy cleaning.
Soft wood such as wood wicker shall not be used as a food contact surface. Hard
maple or equivalent may be used as cutting boards, rolling pins, chopsticks, etc.

Examples of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Certification

65
MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 New and/or replacement food equipment is not certified or classified for

sanitation by an ANSI accredited certification program.

 New electrical appliances do not meet UL standards for electrical equipment.

 The display refrigerator that is approved only for prepackaged food items is in
use to store unpackaged potentially hazardous foods

 Ink printed plastic bags used in direct contact with food.

 Cardboard box used as food container or to line shelves.

 Reuse of empty food can to store food or equipment.

 Raw wood or wood wicker is used as a food contact surface.

 Cutting or piercing parts of can openers are not readily cleanable and
removable.

 Equipment and utensils are not fully operative or in good repair.

 Surfaces of equipment such as cutting blocks and boards are scratched and
scored so that they can no longer be effectively cleaned and sanitized.

 Cold or hot holding equipment is not functioning properly to ensure proper food
temperatures.

 A hose used for conveying potable water is used for a variety of other
purposes, or it is not clearly labeled as to its use.

 Condensation pooling at the bottom of a reach in refrigerator due to a plugged

condensation line.

Exceptions:
Raw fruit, vegetables, and nuts in the shell may be kept in wood shipping containers.
Copper and copper alloys may be used in contact with beer brewing ingredients.

66
 Equipment / Utensils / Linen

36. Equipment Stored in Approved Location

Calcode 113778.4, 114074, 114081, 114118, 114119, 114161,
114179(a) (1-8), 114172, 114178, 14185.4

If tableware is preset, exposed, and unused, extra settings shall either be removed
when a customer is seated or all tableware (clean and soiled) must be cleaned and
sanitized before use by another party.
Multi-use utensils shall be handled, displayed and dispensed in an approved manner.
Single-use utensils and tableware intended for customer self-service shall be
provided in a wrapper or from an approved dispenser.
Cleaned and sanitized equipment, utensils, laundered linens, single-use articles, and
cabinets used for the storage of food, shall not be in any of the following locations:
1) In locker rooms.
2) In restrooms.
3) In refuse rooms.
4) In mechanical rooms.
5) Under sewer lines that are not shielded to intercept potential
drips.
6) Under leaking water lines, including leaking automatic fire
sprinkler heads, or under lines on which water has
condensed.
7) Under open stairwells.
8) Under other sources of contamination.
All cleaned equipment and utensils, laundered linens, and single-use articles shall be
stored in a clean, dry location where they are not exposed to splash, dust, or other
contamination, and at least six inches above the floor.
All pressurized cylinders shall be securely fastened to a rigid structure.
“Fabric Implement” means cloth or fabric, including, but not limited to, burlap and
cheesecloth, that is used as a part of the food process and comes in direct contact
with food that is subsequently cooked. Shall be washed and sanitized before or after
every use in direct contact with food.
Adequate and suitable space shall be provided for the storage of clean linens used as
fabric implements.
Soiled linens shall be kept in clean, nonabsorbent receptacles or clean, washable
laundry bags and stored and transported to prevent contamination of clean surfaces.

67
MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 After a customer is finished eating, extra place settings that had been on the
table are re-used without cleaning and sanitizing.
 Clean equipment and dishware in self-service area are not stored covered or
inverted to prevent contamination of the food contact surface.
 Handle to ice scoop is in contact with ice, or food product.
 Open boxes of to-go containers stored next to a handwash sink.
 Water pitchers stored in a location where they are exposed to handwash
splash.
 Cabinets used for storing food are located in a janitorial closet.
 All pressurized cylinders are not securely fastened to a rigid structure.

Exceptions:
Laundered linens and single-use articles may be stored in a locker room if protected
by packaging or a storage compartment.
Items in enclosed packages may be stored less than six inches above the floor on
dollies, pallets, racks, or skids that are designed to be easily movable.
(Section 114178 (d))

68
 Equipment / Utensils / Linen

37. Satellite Food Service

Calcode 114067

Satellite food service shall be operated by a fully-enclosed permanent food facility

that meets all requirements for food preparation and service.
The operator of the permanent food facility shall submit written standard operating
procedures to the enforcement agency prior to operation that include all of the
following information:
1) All food products that will be handled and dispensed.
2) The proposed procedures and methods of food preparation and handling.
3) Procedures, methods, and schedules for cleaning utensils, equipment,
structures, and for the disposal of refuse.
4) How food will be transported to and from the permanent food facility and the
satellite food service operation, and procedures to prevent contamination of
foods.
5) How potentially hazardous foods will be maintained in accordance with Section
113996 at the proper hot and cold holding temperatures.
All food preparation shall be conducted within a food compartment or within a
fully-enclosed facility. Satellite food service areas shall have overhead protection that
extends over all food handling areas.
Satellite food service operations that handle non-prepackaged food shall be equipped
with approved handwashing and warewashing facilities. Use of warewashing in the
fully enclosed food facility may be used to fulfill this requirement.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Procedures are not followed per approved written procedures.

Notes:
Satellite food service activity must be conducted by and under the constant and
complete control of the permit holder of the fully enclosed food facility.

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 Equipment / Utensils / Linen

38. Ventilation and Lighting

Calcode 114149, 114149.1, 114149.2, 114149.3, 114252, 114252.1

All areas of a food facility shall have sufficient ventilation to facilitate proper food
storage and to provide a reasonable condition of comfort for each employee,
consistent with the job performed by the employee.
Restrooms shall have an openable screened window, an air shaft, or a light switch-
activated exhaust fan, consistent with the requirements of local building codes.
Mechanical exhaust ventilation shall be provided over all cooking equipment to
remove cooking odors, smoke, steam, grease, heat, and vapors.
The ventilating hood system shall be installed and designed as required in CalCode
section 114149.2.

In every room and area in which any food is prepared, manufactured, processed or
prepackaged or in which equipment or utensils are cleaned, sufficient natural or
artificial lighting shall be provided to produce the following light intensity:

 At least 10 foot candles: In walk-in refrigerator, working surface in bar, inside

equipment such as reach-in or under the counter refrigerator.
 At least 20 foot candles: At surface where food is provided for customer self
service, fresh produce or prepackaged food is offered for sale or consumption,
server stations, in areas used for handwashing, warewashing, utensil storage
and in toilet rooms, in all areas and rooms during cleaning.
 At least 50 foot candles: in all areas where food is prepared (except server
stations) or where employee works with utensils and equipment such as knives,
slicers etc where employee safety is a factor.
Light bulbs shall be shielded, coated or otherwise shatter-resistant in areas where
there is unpackaged foods, clean equipment, utensils, linens, or unwrapped single
use articles.

70
MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 The restroom has a window that is permanently unopenable and no other

source of ventilation.

 Less than 6 inches overhang of ventilation hood over deep fryer or gas rice
cooker.

 Filters that do not fit have been installed in the mechanical exhaust ventilation
over cooking equipment.

 Hood filters are installed horizontally.

 Gaps observed between the grease filters inside the hood.
 Facility not using hood when required.
 Inoperable ventilation fan in restroom.
 Fluorescent tubes are not shielded, coated, or otherwise
shatter-resistant over open food preparation areas.

 Infrared or other heat lamps are not protected against

breakage by a shield or by using shatter resistant bulbs.

 Plastic tube style shatterproof light covers lack end caps.

Exceptions:
Restricted food service facilities shall be exempt from subdivision (a) of Section
114149.1, but shall still provide ventilation to remove gases, odors, steam, heat,
grease, vapors and smoke from the kitchen. In the event that the enforcement officer
determines that the ventilation must be mechanical in nature, the ventilation shall be
accomplished by methods approved by the enforcement agency.
Shielded, coated, or otherwise shatter-resistant bulbs need not be used in areas used
only for storing prepackaged food in unopened packages, if the integrity of the
packages cannot be affected by broken glass falling onto them and the packages are
capable of being cleaned of debris from broken bulbs before the packages are
opened.

Notes:
Local enforcement agencies may exempt cooking equipment from mechanical
exhaust ventilation as appropriate. (Section 114149.1 (c))

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 Equipment / Utensils / Linen

39. Temperature Measuring Devices

Calcode 114157, 114159

A thermometer accurate to +/- 2°F shall be provided and correctly located in each hot
and cold holding unit containing potentially hazardous foods.
An accurate, easily readable, metal probe thermometer (accurate to +/- 2°F) that is
designed to measure the temperature of thin masses shall be provided and readily
accessible to accurately measure the temperatures of potentially hazardous foods
shall be available to the food handler.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 The reach in refrigerator has a thermometer located in the coldest part of the
unit.
 The only thermometer for the walk-in refrigerator is not
working.
 The cold or hot holding case lacks a monitoring
thermometer.
 A metal probe thermometer is not readily available (e.g. is
locked in the manager’s office).
 The temperature measuring devices used for food are not
accurate to within +/- 2°F.

Notes:
A probe type thermometer need not be of the calibratable type. If a thermometer of
this type is found to not be accurate after checking in an ice bath or in boiling
water, it will be deemed inoperable and the facility will be required to replace it.

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 Equipment / Utensils / Linen

40. Wiping Cloths Storage and Use

Calcode 114135, 114185.1, 114185.3(d-e), 114185.5

Sponges shall not be used in contact with cleaned and sanitized or in use food
contact surfaces.
Wiping cloths that are in use for cleaning food spills
shall not be used for any other purpose.
Cloths used for wiping food spills shall be dry and
used for cleaning food spills from tableware and
carry-out containers or used only once, or if used
repeatedly, held in a sanitizing solution of:

 100ppm chlorine
 200ppm quaternary ammonia or
 25ppm iodine
Dry or wet cloths that are used with raw foods of animal origin shall be kept separate
from cloths used for other purposes, and wet cloths used with raw foods of animal
origin shall be kept in a separate sanitizing solution.
Wiping cloths shall be free of food debris and visible soil.
Wet wiping cloths shall be laundered daily or placed into a laundry bag for no further
use until laundered.
Dry wiping cloths shall be laundered as necessary.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Sponges are used for wiping counters in the kitchen during food preparation.
 Sanitizing solution in wiping cloth bucket is measured less than the required
concentration.
 Multi-use wiping cloths lack required sanitizer concentration.
 Wiping cloths used for raw meats are placed in the same sanitizing solution as
wiping cloths used for ready-to-eat foods.
 Wet wiping cloths are re-used every day without being laundered.

73
 Physical Facilities

41. Plumbing Fixtures and

Backflow Prevention
Calcode 114269, 114171, 114190, 114192, 114193
114193.1, 114199, 114201

All plumbing and plumbing fixtures shall be: installed in compliance with applicable
local plumbing ordinances, maintained so as to prevent any contamination, kept
clean, fully operative, and in good repair.
All equipment that discharges liquid waste shall be drained by means of indirect waste
pipes, and all wastes drained by them shall discharge through an air gap into a floor
sink or other approved type of receptor.
Air gaps at water supply inlets must be at least twice the diameter of the inlet and no
less than 1 inch.
Floor sinks shall be visible and accessible for cleaning.
Warewashing machines may be connected directly to the sewer immediately
downstream from a floor drain, or they may be drained through an approved indirect
connection.
The potable water supply shall be protected with a backflow or back siphonage
protection device when required by applicable plumbing codes.
Exposed piping of a non-potable water system shall be identified so that it is readily
distinguishable from piping that carries potable water.
Liquid waste drain lines shall not pass through an ice machine or ice storage bin.

74
MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Plumbing and plumbing fixtures are not installed in compliance with local
plumbing ordinances, are not maintained to prevent contamination, are not fully
operative, or in good repair.

 Non-potable water piping is not identified so as to be

readily distinguishable from potable water piping.

 Floor sinks are not readily visible or accessible

for cleaning.

 Food storage equipment or sinks used for

food preparation and warewashing is missing an air gap of
at least 1-inch.

 Spray nozzle attached to a faucet at warewashing sink dangles below rim of

sink.

 Hose connected to mop sink faucet without a backflow prevention device.

 Hoses attached to the 2-way hose valve (Y-splitter),

which is attached to the sink faucet, lack anti-siphon
devices, e.g. hose bibb vacuum breaker, on each end of the
valves.

 Food preparation sink drain line is directly connected to

sanitary sewer.

 Sink or faucet is leaking.

 Espresso machine waste line is draining in handwash

sink.

 Condenser unit in walk-in refrigerator is dripping.

Exceptions:
This section does not require warewashing sinks to be indirectly plumbed when the
local building official determines that the sink should be directly plumbed.
Warewashing sinks in use prior to January 1, 1996 that are directly plumbed are not
required to meet current code requirement.

75
 Physical Facilities

42. Garbage and Refuse Disposal

Calcode 114244, 114245,114245.1-114245.7, 114257
All food waste and rubbish shall be kept in leak proof and rodent proof containers.
Containers shall be provided and covered at all times. All waste must be removed
and disposed of as frequently as necessary to prevent a public health hazard or
nuisance. The exterior of each food facility shall be kept clean and free of litter and
rubbish.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Waste receptacles are not available for customers when needed.

 Indoor trash storage area does not comply with requirements for floors, walls,
ceilings, or vermin exclusion requirements.
 Outside waste storage area or enclosure is not constructed of nonabsorbent
material or is not easily cleanable, durable, or sloped to drain.
 Dumpster lids are left open / broken / missing.
 Refuse, recyclables, or returnables are not kept in nonabsorbent, durable,
cleanable, leak proof, and rodent proof containers.
 Outside refuse enclosure is not kept clean and free of debris.
 Trash cans and/or dumpsters have grime/dirt/debris buildup.
 Dumpsters are not removed frequently enough or cleaned enough to minimize
the development of objectionable odors or conditions that attract or harbor in-
sects or rodents.
 Cardboard or other packaging material that is stored outside creates a rodent
harborage problem.
 Animal byproducts and inedible kitchen grease is not disposed of as required.

Exceptions:
Refuse containers inside a food facility do not need to be covered during periods of
operation.
Off-premises based cleaning services may be used if on-premises cleaning
implements and supplies are not provided.

Notes:
Facilities that compost must dispose of it as frequently as necessary to prevent the
creation of a nuisance or vermin attraction.

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 Physical Facilities

43. Restrooms Maintained, Supplied,

and Accessible
Calcode 114250, 114250.1, 114276
Toilet facilities shall be available, clean, stocked with toilet tissue and in good repair.
Restroom doors shall be kept closed, well fitting, and
provided with a self closing device.
Restrooms shall be provided and conveniently located and
accessible for use by employees during all hours of
operation.
Toilet tissue shall be provided in a permanently installed
dispenser at each toilet.
The number of toilet facilities shall be in accordance with
local building and plumbing ordinances.
Toilet facilities shall be provided for patrons: in establishments offering on-site food
consumption, or a food facility with more than 20,000 sq. ft. of floor space.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS

 Lack of operable toilet facilities. Note: If this scenario occurs, facility may be
subject to closure.
 Restroom entirely out of toilet tissue.

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Restroom converted to storage, without Building Department approval.

 Restroom is not maintained clean / sanitary.

 Stall doors are broken.

 Self-closing device on restroom door is not working or restroom door is

propped open.

 One of multiple toilets is not operable.

 Toilet paper dispenser is broken.

 Toilet paper is not available in one of the stalls.

77
  Restroom is not conveniently located and accessible to employees at all times
the facility is in operation.

 Toilet paper is stored outside of dispenser.

Exceptions:
Food facility built before Jan 1, 2004 with on-site food consumption and no customer
restrooms shall post a sign in a public area stating that toilet facilities are not
available.

Notes:
Food facilities located within amusement parks, stadiums, arenas, food courts,
fairgrounds, and similar premises are not required to provide toilet facilities for
employee use within each food facility if approved toilet facilities are located within
200 feet in travel distance of each food facility and are readily available for use by
employees. Any food facility taking advantage of this allowance must be provided
with approved handwashing facilities for employee use. (Section 114250.1 (a))
A food facility that was approved prior to July 1, 2007 with toilet facilities within 300
feet is not required to meet the 200 foot requirement. (Section 114250.1 (b))

78
 Physical Facilities

44a. Premises Kept Free of

Unused Equipment
Calcode 114257, 114257.1
The premises of a food facility shall be kept clean fully operative, and in good repair.
The premises of a food facility shall be free of litter and items that are unnecessary to
the operation or maintenance of the facility, such as equipment that is nonfunctional
or no longer used.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Broken, unused equipment stored in the back of the restaurant.

 Excessive litter observed outside in parking lot.
 Unorganized and cluttered storage rooms.

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 Physical Facilities

44b. Appropriate Use of Equipment

Calcode 113953.1 (b-d), 114123, 114125, 114143 (a-b)

A handwashing facility shall not be used for purposes other than handwashing.
Handwashing, warewashing, and food preparation sinks shall not be used for the
cleaning of maintenance tools, the preparation or holding of maintenance materials, or
the disposal of mop water and similar liquid wastes.
A warewashing sink shall not be used for handwashing except in food facilities that
were not constructed or extensively remodeled since January 1, 1996, and where
there are no facilities exclusively for handwashing in food preparation areas.
Open-air barbecues or outdoor wood-burning ovens must be operated on the same
premises as, in reasonable proximity to, and in conjunction with a permanent food
facility that is approved for food preparation and they must be located in an area that
will not constitute a fire hazard.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Use of equipment other than its intended purpose.

Examples:
 Handwash or food preparation sink used for washing dishes.
 Dumping soiled mop water into the warewashing sink.
 Washing hands in the warewash sink instead of the nearby handwash
sink.

Exceptions:
Food facilities that were constructed before January 1, 1996 and where there are no
facilities exclusively for handwashing in food preparation areas may use warewashing
sinks for handwashing if soap and paper towels are available.

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 Physical Facilities

44c. Mop Sink and Janitorial Area

Calcode 114281, 114282, 114279

A separate room, area, or cabinet shall be provided for the storage of cleaning
equipment and supplies.
Mops shall be placed in a position that allows them to air-dry without soiling walls,
equipment, or supplies.
At least one curbed cleaning facility or janitorial sink equipped with hot and cold water
and drain shall be provided.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 A mop, bucket, floor brooms, and cleaning supplies were stored in a way that
contamination of utensils would be likely.
 Mop sink was removed from the facility.

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 Physical Facilities

44d. Employee Personal Items

Calcode 114256, 114256.1, 114256.2, 114256.4

Employee lockers, employee personal storage areas, and areas

designated for employees to eat and drink shall be located in an area
that will prevent potential contamination of food, equipment, linens, and
single-use articles.
Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be provided for personal items.
Dressing rooms or dressing areas shall be provided and used by
employees if the employees regularly change their clothes in the facility.
Medications that are in a food facility for employee use shall be labeled
and stored in a designated storage area for personal items.
First aid supplies that are in a food facility for employee use shall be
identified with a legible manufacturer's label and stored in a kit or a
container that is located so as to prevent the potential for contamination.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Employees’ personal cell phone and car keys found on food preparation
surface or shelf next to clean cooking utensils.
 Clothing/jackets stored amongst food and equipment.
 Personal tooth brush and tooth paste found near handwash station in kitchen.
 Personal items such as lit candles or incense sticks stored above food contact
surfaces.

Exceptions:
Restricted food service facilities and nonpermanent food facilities shall not be
required to comply with the above, but no person shall store clothing or personal
effects in any area used for the storage and preparation of food.

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 Physical Facilities

44e. Vermin and Animal Exclusion

Calcode 114259, 114259.2, 114259.3

A food facility shall be constructed, equipped, maintained, and operated to prevent

the entrance and harborage of animals, birds, and vermin.
Pass through window service openings shall be
limited to 216 square inches each. The service
openings shall not be closer together than 18
inches. Each opening shall be provided with a solid
or screened window, equipped with a self-closing
device.
Pass through windows of up to 432 square inches
are approved if equipped with an air curtain device.
The counter surface of the service openings shall be
smooth and easily cleanable.
Insect control devices that are used to electrocute or
stun flying insects shall be designed to retain the insect within the device.
Insect control devices shall be installed so that the devices are not located over a
food or utensil handling area and dead insects and insect fragments are prevented
from being impelled onto or falling on non-prepackaged food, clean equipment,
utensils, linens, and unwrapped single-use-articles.
During non-operating hours and periods of inclement weather, satellite food service
operations shall be completely enclosed to exclude vermin, or stored inside the fully
enclosed permanent food facility.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Fly electrocution device installed over a food preparation area.

 Front or back door to facility propped open and no screen door in place to
prevent the entrance of flying insects.
 Gap under the back door greater than ¼ of an
inch.
 The drive-thru window left open.
 Holes in window screens.
 Drive-thru window exceeds 216 square inches
and lacks an air curtain.

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 Permanent Food Facilities

45. Floor, Wall, and Ceiling Finishes

Calcode 114143(d), 114266, 114268, 114268.1, 114271, 114272

Each permanent food facility shall be fully enclosed in a building consisting of

permanent floors, walls, and an overhead structure.
The floor surfaces in all areas where food is prepared, prepackaged, or stored, where
any utensil is washed, where refuse or garbage is stored, where janitorial facilities are
located, and in all toilet and handwashing areas shall be smooth, of durable
construction, and of nonabsorbent material that is easily cleanable.
Floor surfaces shall be coved at the juncture of the floor and wall with a 3/8 inch
minimum radius coving and shall extend up the wall at least 4 inches, except in areas
where food is stored only in unopened bottles, cans, cartons, sacks, or other original
shipping containers.
Except for dining and serving areas, the use of sawdust, wood shavings, peanut hulls,
or similar materials is prohibited.
The walls and ceilings of all rooms shall be of a durable, smooth, nonabsorbent, and
easily cleanable surface.
Mats and duckboards shall be designed to be removable and easily cleanable.
If an open-air barbecue or outdoor wood-burning oven is a permanent structure, it
shall be equipped with an impervious and easily cleanable floor surface that extends
a minimum of five feet from the open-air barbecue or outdoor wood-burning oven
facility on all open sides.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Unsealed/ absorbent flooring is installed.

 Wall behind warewashing sink is deteriorated due to water damage.
 Floor in food preparation area has topset base coving.
 Gaps in wall around plumbing.
 Broken floor tiles/deteriorated grout are observed in food preparation areas.
 Unapproved flooring is installed in food preparation areas.
 Perforated ceiling panels are installed over an area where non prepackaged
food is handled.
 Epoxy paint used to seal flooring

84
Exceptions:
Dining areas or any other operations approved for outdoor food service are not
required to be enclosed. (Section 114266 (b))
Public and private schools constructed before July 1, 2007 need not comply with the
floor and coving requirements provided that the existing floor surfaces are maintained
in good repair and in a sanitary condition. (Section 114268 (c))
The walls, ceilings and floors in the following areas need not be of a durable, smooth,
nonabsorbent, and easily cleanable surface: (Section 114271, 114268)
1) Bar areas in which alcoholic beverages are sold or served directly to the
consumers, except wall areas adjacent to bar sinks and areas where food is
prepared.
2) Areas where food is stored only in unopened bottles, cans, cartons, sacks, or
other original shipping containers.
3) Dining and sales areas.
4) Offices.
5) Restrooms that are used exclusively by the consumers, except that the walls
and ceilings in the restrooms shall be of a nonabsorbent and washable surface.

Contact Plan Review at (916) 874-6010 for any flooring

installations.

Notes:
Smooth, nonabsorbent, and easily cleanable acoustical paneling is acceptable if
installed not less than 6 feet above the floor, and meets the above requirements.
(Section 114271 (c))
Conduits must be installed within walls and ceilings as much as practicable, and if
not they shall be mounted or enclosed to facilitate cleaning. (Section 114271 (d))
Attachments to walls and ceilings, such as light fixtures, mechanical room
ventilation system components, vent covers, wall mounted fans, decorative items,
and other attachments, shall be easily cleanable. (Section 114271 (e))

85
 Permanent Food Facilities

46. Living and Sleeping Quarters

Calcode 114285, 114286

No sleeping accommodations shall be maintained or kept in any room where food is

prepared, stored, or sold.
Living or sleeping quarters located on the premises of a food facility shall be
separated from rooms and areas used for food facility operations by complete
partitioning. No door or other opening shall be permitted in the partition that separates
the food facility from the living or sleeping quarters.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 A living or sleeping quarter is located in the food preparation/ food storage

area.

Exceptions:
Restricted food service facilities are exempt provided that no sleeping
accommodations are in any area where food is prepared or stored.

86
 Signs / Requirements

47a. Signs Posted as Required

Calcode 113953.5, 113978, 114276(f)

A sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands shall be posted at
all handwashing lavatories used by food employees, and shall be clearly visible.
A food facility that was constructed before January 1, 2004, that has been in
continuous operating since January 1, 2004, and that provides space for the
consumption of food on the premises shall either provide clean toilet facilities in good
repair for consumers, guests, or invitees on property used in connection with, or in,
the food facility or prominently post a sign within the food facility in a public area
stating that toilet facilities are not provided.
Food facilities shall have "no smoking" signs posted as required.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Handwashing sign is not posted at handwashing sinks in the restrooms used

by food employees.

Exceptions:
Handwash signage is not required in the toilet rooms used by guests only or in toilet
rooms of restricted food service facilities.

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 Signs / Requirements

47b. Placard Posted in Approved Location

Sacramento County Code 6.04.021

Upon completion of a routine inspection or re-inspection, the Health Officer shall post
at every food establishment the appropriate placard, as determined by the Health
Officer. The placard shall be posted so as to be clearly visible to the general public
and to patrons entering the food establishment.

The placard must be:

1) Posted in the front window of the food
establishment within five feet of the front
door. OR
2) Posted in an outside display case within
five feet of the front door of the food
establishment. OR
3) Posted in a location approved by the
Health Officer to ensure proper notice to
patrons and the general public.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 The placard has been defaced, marred or camouflaged.

 Placard is removed or hidden by placing something in front of it.

Notes:
Placard removal, marring, or relocating may result in a reinspection or compliance
conference. Fees may be charged.

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 Signs / Requirements

47c. Inspection Report Availability

Calcode 113725.1

A copy of the most recent routine

inspection report conducted to assess

Food Handler Card

Health Inspections
compliance with this part shall be
maintained at the food facility and made
available upon request. The food facility
shall post a notice advising consumers
that a copy of the most recent routine
inspection report is available for review
by any interested party.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Facility is missing the most recent copy of the inspection report.

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 Compliance and Enforcement

48. Plan Review Construction

and Remodeling
Calcode 114380

A person proposing to build or remodel a food facility shall submit building plans to
Plan Review at (916) 874-6010 for approval before starting any new construction or
remodeling.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 Building plans for a new food facility or plans for a minor remodel to an existing
facility have not been approved by Plan Review prior to beginning construction.
 A plumbing fixture is installed without submitting plans.
 New equipment (e.g. walk-in refrigerator) is added to facility without approval.

Notes:
Plans may be required by the enforcement agency due to the addition of new
menu items which would require a change in the food facility's food preparation
methods, equipment, or storage capacity previously approved by the local
enforcement agency.
Structural and sanitation requirements are based on the food service activity to be
conducted, the type of food that is prepared or served, and the extent of food
preparation that is to be conducted at the food facility.

Contact your district Environmental Specialist at

(916) 875-8440 or Plan Review staff at (916) 874-6010 prior to
making major equipment, plumbing, structural or other
changes.

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 Compliance and Enforcement

49. Permit Requirements

Calcode 114381, 114387, 114067(b-c)

A food facility shall not be open for business without a valid health permit.
Any person who operates a food facility shall obtain all necessary permits to conduct
business, including, but not limited to, a permit issued by the enforcement agency.
The Permit to Operate shall be posted in a conspicuous place within the food facility.
Satellite food service shall only be operated by a fully enclosed permanent food
facility that meets the requirements for food preparation and service and that is
responsible for servicing the satellite food service operation.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS: N/A

MINOR VIOLATIONS

 When a food facility is open for business and does not have a valid health
permit.
 Permit is not posted in conspicuous location.
 Satellite food service is not operated in conjunction with a fully enclosed
permanent facility or written procedures are not available.
 Facility expands food service menu that requires a permit upgrade, but does
not obtain it.

Notes:
Satellite food service means a remotely located food service operation that is
conducted on the same property as, in reasonable proximity to, and in conjunction
with and by a fully enclosed permanent food facility (i.e., an outdoor beverage bar).
Satellite food service does not include remote food service operations located
within a fully enclosed food facility.
Food facilities that operate without a valid permit shall be subject to closure and a
penalty fee not to exceed three times the cost of the permit may be charged.
(CalCode Section 114387)
For purposes of enforcement, the Environmental Specialist may, during the
facility's hours of operation or other reasonable times, enter, inspect, issue
citations to, and secure any sample, photographs, or other evidence from a food
facility.

91
 Index

A F
Air gap. See #41 Fly electrocution device. See #44e
Allergens. See #24, page 4 Food
preparation within fully enclosed
B facility. See #27
Bare hand and arm contact. See #5b protected from contamination. See
Bread-wrapping of. See #27 #27
Bulk milk container dispensing tubes. protected from cross-contamination.
See #27 See #27
raw over ready. See #27
C
space for storage. See #30a
Cardboard. See #35
stored 6 inches off ground. See #30a
Clean tableware at buffets. See #24
Food infesting insects. See #23
Cleaning equipment
Food shall be inspected. See #13
storage of. See #44c
Copper pipe or material. See #35 G
Cottage Foods. See #15 Gloves
Customer access through preparation proper use of. See #5b
area. See #24 slash-resistant. See #5b
Cutting boards use with cuts, sores. See #2
scratched and scored. See #35
use of. See #27 H
Hand sanitizer
D not properly applied. See #5a
Dented cans. See #13 not when required. See #5a
Dumpster lids open. See #42 Handwashing

E at warewashing sink. See #34

Eggs--Unpasteurized shell eggs Hair Restraints See #25

highly susceptible populations. Hood. See Ventilation

See #20
I
Equipment
Ice machines
6 inches off ground. See #36
cleaning. See #14a
ANSI approved. See #35
Improper use of
handwashing, warewashing,
preparation sink. See #44b

92
L T
Linen Tableware
clean. See #36 preset. See #36
covering food. See #36 Temperature measuring device for
in contact with food. See #36 warewashing machine. See #34
laundering of. See #36
U
storage of. See #36
Utensils and equipment
Liquid, frozen, and dry eggs and egg
installed and constructed to facilitate
products - Pasteurized. See #15
cleaning. See #35
M made of wood. See #35
Medications. See #44d operative, good repair. See #35
Multi-use utensils
V
handled. See #36
Ventilation. See #38
storage while in use. See #36
Vermin
O presence in food. See #13
Open-air-barbecues. See #44b presence in facility. See #23
prevention from. See #44e
P
Pass-thru windows. See #44e W
Plastic bags. See #35 Warewashing
Pressurized cylinders. See #36 data plate. See #34
Produce foggers. See #14a equipment to measure sanitizer.
See #34
R Water
Rice scoop. See Multi-use utensils hot/ warm/ supplied. See #21
Raw/ ready-to-eat food storage.
See # 27

S
Self-closing device
restroom. See #43
Service animals. See #23, #24
Shellfish display tanks. See #17
Single-use utensils. See #36
Sneeze guards. See #27
Splashguard. See #6
Sponges. See #40

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