"California Food Handler Card Law"
California Food Handler Card Law (Food Safety: Food Handlers)
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Summary
SB 602 (Padilla), Chapter 309, Statutes of 2010, established the California Food Handler Card Law. It requires each food handler, as defined, to obtain a valid food handler card within 30 days of the date of hire by completing an approved food safety training course and passing an assessment; the card is valid for three years and must be maintained for the duration of employment. The approved training curriculum must cover basic food safety, major food allergen awareness and cross-contact prevention, time and temperature control, and cleaning and sanitation. Codified at California Health and Safety Code § 113948 (California Retail Food Code). A related bill, SB 476 (2023-2024, effective January 1, 2024), requires food facility employers to cover all costs associated with an employee obtaining a food handler card, including the cost of the training course and assessment and the employee's time spent completing it (cost capped at $15).
Legislative Intent
To reduce foodborne illness and improve public health by ensuring all food handlers in California have baseline food safety training, including awareness of major food allergens and cross-contact prevention.
Key Provisions
Requires each food handler to obtain and maintain a valid food handler card for the duration of employment as a food handler (HSC § 113948(a)(1)). Cards must be obtained within 30 days of the date of hire; valid for three years from date of issuance. Training must be from an approved provider and cover basic food safety, major food allergen awareness and cross-contact prevention, time/temperature control, and cleaning/sanitation; a passing assessment is required. Exemptions exist for certified food protection managers and certain facilities already under local jurisdiction. SB 476 (2023-2024) adds that employers must cover the cost of the course and assessment (capped at $15) and compensate employees for time spent completing training; cards remain valid three years.
Who This Bill Serves & Who's Backing It
Core Patient Populations
People with food allergies — including children, students, and their families.
Advocacy Groups Backing This Legislation
No advocacy organizations are currently tracked as backing this bill.Browse advocacy organizations →
Legislative Timeline
Votes & Legislative History
Compliance & Requirements
Legislative History & Resources
Food allergy awareness
Requires restaurants to display a notice informing consumers to communicate food allergies to employees and mandates staff communication of such information to management.
Elijah's Law
Elijah's Law
Requires child care facilities to implement emergency preparedness protocols, mandatory staff training, and individualized allergy action plans for children with food allergies.
Food Allergy Posters and Training
Mandates food allergy awareness training for restaurant employees and requires food allergy posters in food service establishments.
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