Los Banos Municipal Code Ch. 2 Food Handlers

For the purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise apparent from the context, "food handler" shall mean and include all cooks, dishwashers, waiters, pantry workers, busboys, soda dispensers, bakers, butchers, meat cutters, creamery workers handling dairy products offered for sale or sold in the City, and all persons who in any manner are engaged directly or indirectly in the preparation and/or the serving of food, drink, or confections for consumption by the public, either on or off the premises where such food, drink, or confections are sold or offered for sale, distributed, or dispensed.

(§ I, Ord. 172)

It is unlawful for any person to employ any food handler or to permit any person to handle any food who does not have a valid health certificate signed by the Health Officer. A valid health certificate shall also be required by the operator of any business, which operator personally handles food.

(§ II, Ord. 172)

All food handlers engaged in such occupation in the City shall report to any local duly licensed physician for a physical examination at least once every 12 months. If, in the opinion of the Health Officer, any additional examination is necessary, the Health Officer may at his or her discretion require the appearance of such person for an additional physical examination.

The cost incurred in such examination shall be paid directly by the person being examined to the physician at the time of making such examination. Any person receiving a report satisfactory to the Health Department shall be entitled to a health certificate.

(§ IV, Ord. 172)

The Health Officer shall issue to each food handler a valid health certificate signifying that the person to whom the same is issued has undergone a physical examination and has satisfactorily met all health requirements. A copy of such certificate shall be filed with the Health Department and with the employer of the food handler, which latter copy shall at all times be available for inspection by any duly authorized officer of the Health Department. The certificate shall have inscribed upon the face thereof the date of expiration of the same, and the certificate shall be void after such date.

(§ III, Ord. 172)

Any person using or employing a food handler shall require, as a condition precedent to the using or employment of such food handler, the filing of the copy of the health certificate required by the provisions of this chapter. Upon discharging or dispensing with the services of such food handler, the employer shall release and deliver to the food handler the health certificate so filed.

(§ V, Ord. 172)

Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punishable as set forth in Chapter 2 of Title 1 of this Code.

(§ VI, Ord. 172)