In January of 2007, New Jersey
enacted the most sweeping reforms to it's retail food codes since the
1970's. Adapting the principles of the FDA Model Food Code, it has joined
the majority of other states requiring a standardized certification course
and exam for all Persons In Charge of Risk 3 type establishments.
As defined by New Jersey Chapter 24,
"Risk type 3 food establishment" means any
retail food establishment that:
1. Has an extensive menu which requires the handling of raw ingredients; and
is
involved in the complex preparation of menu items that includes the cooking,
cooling,
and reheating of at least three or more potentially hazardous foods; or
2. Prepares and serves potentially hazardous foods including the extensive
handling of
raw ingredients; and whose primary service population is a highly
susceptible
population.
Such establishments may include, but are not limited to, full service
restaurants,
diners, commissaries, and catering operations; or hospitals, nursing homes,
and preschools
preparing and serving potentially hazardous foods.
The requirement for a certified manager is
defined as follows:
SUBCHAPTER 2. MANAGEMENT AND PERSONNEL
8:24-2.1 Supervision
(a) The operator shall be the person in charge or shall designate a person
in charge
and shall ensure that a person in charge is present at the retail food
establishment
during all hours of operation.
(b) Based on the risks of foodborne illness inherent to the food operation,
during
inspections and upon request, the person in charge shall demonstrate to the
health
authority knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, application of the
Hazard
Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles, and the requirements of
this
chapter. The person in charge shall demonstrate this knowledge by
substantial
compliance with this chapter. By January 2, 2010, at least one person in
charge in
Risk Type 3 Food Establishments shall be a certified food protection manager
who has
shown proficiency of required information through obtaining a food safety
certificate
by passing a food safety certification examination administered by an
accredited
certifying program recognized by the Conference for Food Protection.
Certified food
protection managers shall maintain the currency of the food safety
certificate by
following the accredited certifying program's requirements for renewal.
Information on
accredited food safety certification programs is available through the
Department of
Health and Senior Services, Food and Drug Safety Program by mailing a
written
request to: Consumer and Environmental Health Services, Food and Drug Safety
Program,
P.O. Box 369, Trenton, New Jersey, 08625-0369, telephone (609) 588-3123.
The code also states the definition of the
Person In Charge:
"Person in charge" means the individual
present at a retail food establishment who is
responsible for the operation at the time of inspection.
For a
copy of New Jersey Chapter 24 Click Here.