California Food Handler Card

CALIFORNIA FOOD HANDLER CARD

SB 602 requires workers to receive food safety training

The California Food Handler Card law is designed to ensure that restaurant employees receive a reasonable level of training in food safety practices to reduce the potential for foodborne illness. Food handlers must have a California Food Handler Card by July 1. Employees hired after June 1 have 30 days from the date of hire to file a food handler card.

The cards are valid throughout most of the state and are valid for three years. Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties have pre-existing food handler card programs and are exempted from the state mandate. Each food facility must maintain records documenting that each employee possesses a valid California Food Handler Card that can be provided to local enforcement officials upon request.