The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) recently sent a letter to the food retail community detailing changes included in the 2017 FDA Food Code (9th edition). Those changes are the result of extensive planning and information gathering at the 2016 Conference for Food Protection (CFP), including feedback from regulatory officials, industry leaders, academia, and consumers, and shall be adopted as state regulation following an extensive regulatory approval process.
Of note, revisions were made to the requirements relating to Food Protection Manager Certifications and Persons in Charge (PIC). Previously, regulations required each retail food establishment have at least one supervisory employee per facility that is certified as a Food Safety Manager. That individual would then oversee and train the designated PICs, one of which is required to be on-site at any point during facility operations. The changes, however, now require all Persons in Charge be certified as a Food Protection Manager (fully effective in approximately 2020).
The PDA plans to remind facilities of the changes through continued updates and during inspections throughout the year. Members should begin reviewing the new Food Code and implementing the new policies as needed; however, please be aware the department does not intend on enforcing compliance until January 1, 2019.
Of note, revisions were made to the requirements relating to Food Protection Manager Certifications and Persons in Charge (PIC). Previously, regulations required each retail food establishment have at least one supervisory employee per facility that is certified as a Food Safety Manager. That individual would then oversee and train the designated PICs, one of which is required to be on-site at any point during facility operations. The changes, however, now require all Persons in Charge be certified as a Food Protection Manager (fully effective in approximately 2020).
The PDA plans to remind facilities of the changes through continued updates and during inspections throughout the year. Members should begin reviewing the new Food Code and implementing the new policies as needed; however, please be aware the department does not intend on enforcing compliance until January 1, 2019.
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