California’s SB 476 Is Now In Effect
California's SB 476 Mandates Employers to Cover Costs of Food Handler Cards
What Does This Mean For Your Foodservice Business?
Senate Bill No. 476
CHAPTER 610
An act to amend Section 113948 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to food safety
Senate Bill No. 476 recently passed in California. This bill amends Section 113948 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to food safety and requires foodservice employers in California to cover the costs associated with food handler training.
As of January 2023, the business owner must now cover the costs associated with food handler certification, including exam completion time. A State Accredited Food Handler Card may already be required in California kitchens, it is simply the employer’s responsibility now to pay for it.
Does Everyone Need a California State Accredited Food Handler Card?
A California food handler card is required for paid employees of food facilities and mobile food facilities (this includes catering and produce trucks, food carts, and more) who are involved in the preparation, storage, or service of food (source).
Online Training and Certifications From Always Food Safe
There is an easy solution: Always Food Safe’s Food Handler training helps meet regulations and ensure compliance with SB 476. This program allows any employee to get their California Food Handler certificate online, thus meeting regulatory and health department requirements as well as ensuring safe food practices in the kitchen.
The AFS online Food Handler training course provides ANSI-accredited, video-based learning to teach you everything you need to know about food safety.
Here is what sets Always Food Safe apart:
- Completely online, video-based format
- ANSI Accredited
- Course available in English and Spanish
- Courses only take around 2 hours to complete
These courses ensure all guests are safe when they come into your restaurant, and that all employees who handle food in the kitchen have the training they need.