Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, a new section (113961) of the California Retail Food Code will prohibit bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods. The new requirement will make the use of gloves or utensils mandatory whenever ready-to-eat foods are handled.
Many local health departments have not yet provided any guidance documents and it is widely expected that this new law will have a soft rollout for enforcement, allowing more time for health department outreach and operator compliance.
The California Restaurant Association (CRA) will keep restaurant operators apprised of details as they become available. The Sacramento County Environmental Management Department has released the guidance below and it is expect that this guidance will be similar to what other local health departments will use:
To read the rest of the story, please go to: California Restaurant Association