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Article IV — FOOD HANDLERS

Sec. 12.26. - Food handler training.

Oceanside Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · Oceanside

No person shall act as or be engaged as a food handler unless such person: (1) possesses a valid food handler training certificate as described in subdivision (a) of this section, or (2) is working in an establishment under the supervision of a food service manager possessing a food service manager training certificate as described in subdivision (b) of this section, and possess a food handler card as described in subdivision (c) of this section; however, a person may act as or be engaged as a food handler under the supervision of such a food service manager for up to ten (10) calendar days without a food handler card.

(a)

Food handler training certificate. Food handler training certificates or renewals thereof shall be issued by the health officer, or any other qualified person or agency as may be designated by the health officer, to persons who, immediately preceding such issuance, have successfully completed a food sanitation training course having a duration of at least three (3) hours, taught by an instructor approved by the health officer, and having a course content approved by the health officer. In order to successfully complete such course,

a person must pass a proficiency test, approved by the health officer, with at least a seventy (70) percent grade. The course of instruction shall include at least the following subjects.

(1)

Microorganisms;

(2)

Sources of foodborne disease microorganisms;

(3)

Foodborne diseases;

(4)

The means by which food is contaminated by microorganisms and toxic substances;

(5)

Methods for protection of food to prevent foodborne illnesses;

(6)

Control of the spread of disease through food;

(7)

Personal hygiene for food handlers;

(8)

The role of utensils and equipment in the transmission of diseases; and

(9)

Dishwashing procedures.

The health officer's designation of persons or agencies to issue food handler training certificates and the health officer's approval of instructors and course contents may be withdrawn by the health officer at any time. The food handler training certificate shall be valid for three (3) years from the date of issuance.

(b)

Food service manage training certificate. A food service manager training certificate shall be issued by the health officer, or by a person or agency authorized by the health officer, to any person who has (1) attended a food service manager's training course, having a duration of at least sixteen (16) hours, taught by an instructor approved by the health officer, and having a course content approved by the health officer, and (2) has passed a proficiency test, approved by the health officer, with at least a seventy (70) percent grade. The course of instruction shall include at least the following subjects:

(1)

Microbiology of foodborne disease;

(2)

Methods of preventing foodborne diseases;

(3)

Personal sanitation practices;

(4)

Warewashing and sanitizing;

(5)

Housekeeping and waste disposal practices;

(6)

Food purchasing, transportation, receiving and storage;

(7)

Food preparation and use;

(8)

Sanitation of kitchens;

(9)

Dining service;

(10)

Legal regulations of the food industry; and

(11)

Sanitation and safety management.

A food service manager training certificate may also be issued to persons with any one of the following combinations of academic preparation and work experience, providing they pass the proficiency test specified above with at least an eighty-five (85) percent grade:

i)

A baccalaureate degree with at least a minor in food service occupations, environmental sanitation, biological sciences, hospitality services or related subjects and at least two (2) years of occupational

experience in such fields; or

ii)

An associate degree or sixty (60) semester units of course work in food service occupations, environmental sanitation, biological sciences, hospitality services or related subjects and at least four (4) years of occupational experience in such fields; or

iii)

A high school diploma or its equivalent or evidence of successful completion of secondary education and at least six (6) years of occupational experience in the food service field.

A food service manager training certificate may be issued by the health officer to any person possessing formal education and practical experience in the application of food sanitation principles determined by the health officer to be equivalent to the formal education and practical experience to that of a registered sanitarian with ten (10) years' experience in food sanitation.

The health officer's designation of persons or agencies to issue food service manager training certificates and the health officer's approval of instructor's course contents and proficiency tests may be withdrawn by the health officer at any time. The food service manager training certificate shall not expire by passage of time.

(c)

Food handler card. A food handler card or a renewal thereof, in a form prescribed by the health officer, may be issued by a food service manager possessing a food service manager training certificate to food handlers under the manager's supervision, provided said food handlers pass a test relating to fundamental principles of sanitary food services practices, with at least a seventy (70) percent grade. Such test shall be prepared by the health officer based on information contained in an informational booklet on sanitary food practices, which shall also be prepared by the health officer and which shall be distributed at cost by the health officer. Test records and records of the duration of the food handler's employment, including the date that the food handler began to perform food-handling services, shall be maintained on the premises where the food handler is performing such services. The food handler card shall be valid for three (3) years from the date of issuance, or until the food handler's performance of food-handling services at the establishment where the card was issued ceases, or until the expiration of sixty (60) days from the date that the establishment ceases to have a food service manager possessing a food service manager training certificate to supervise the food handler, whichever occurs the earliest.

(Ord. No. 83-14, § 4, 4-27-83)

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▸Contents — Oceanside Municipal Code
Oceanside Municipal Code
  1. Part I — CHARTER
  2. Chapter 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  3. Chapter 2 — ADMINISTRATION
  4. Article I — CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
  5. Article I.5 — CITY COUNCIL COMPENSATION
  6. Article II — CITY MANAGER
  7. Article III — CITY CLERK
  8. Article IV — OFFICE OF THE CITY TREASURER
  9. Article V — CITY ENGINEER
  10. Article VI — LIBRARY
  11. Article VII — PLANNING COMMISSION
  12. Article VIIA — REDEVELOPMENT PLANNING COMMISSION
  13. Article VIII — USE OF CITY PROPERTY FOR PRIVATE PURPOSES
  14. Article IX — CITY FUNDS
  15. Article X — DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
  16. Article XI — CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE
  17. Article XII — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
  18. Article XIII — SALE OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY
  19. Article XIV — RECORDS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
  20. Article XV — BY-DISTRICT ELECTIONS FOR CITY COUNCIL OFFICES
  21. Article XVI — MEASURE X CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
  22. Article XVII — TERM LIMITS
  23. Article I — IN GENERAL
  24. Article II — ESTABLISHMENTS OF EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICE
  25. Chapter 3B — AIRPORT
  26. Article I — AIRPORT RULES AND REGULATIONS
  27. Article II — AIRPORT APPROACH ZONING
  28. Article I — IN GENERAL
  29. Article II — IMPOUNDMENT GENERALLY
  30. Division 1 — GENERALLY
  31. Division 2 — LICENSES
  32. Division 3 — RABIES CONTROL
  33. Division 4 — VICIOUS DOGS
  34. Chapter 5 — BICYCLES AND MOBILITY DEVICES
  35. Chapter 6 — BUILDING CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS
  36. Article I — ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
  37. Article II — BUILDING CODE
  38. Article III — PLUMBING CODE
  39. Article IV — MECHANICAL CODE
  40. Article V — HOUSING CODE
  41. Article VI — ELECTRICAL CODE
  42. Article VII — DANGEROUS BUILDINGS CODE
  43. Article VIII — MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS
  44. Article IX — FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS
  45. Article X — ENFORCEMENT OF MOBILEHOME PARKS ACT
  46. Article XI — UNREINFORCED MASONRY BUILDING MITIGATION
  47. Article XII — RESIDENTIAL CODE
  48. Article XIII — GREEN BUILDING CODE
  49. Article XIV — ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
  50. Article XV — ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
  51. Article XVI — UNIFORM SWIMMING POOL, SPA AND HOT TUB CODE
  52. Chapter 6A — ALARM SYSTEMS
  53. Article I — REPAIR, STORAGE OR MAINTENANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLE
  54. Article II — FORTUNETELLING
  55. Article III — CESSPOOL CLEANERS
  56. Article IV — MERCHANDISE COUPONS
  57. Article V — REGISTRATION OF GUESTS IN HOTELS, ROOMING HOUSES, …
  58. Article VI — PEEP SHOW ESTABLISHMENTS
  59. Article VII — MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION
  60. Article VIII — REGULATION OF NEWSRACKS AND NEWS STANDS
  61. Article IX — REGULATION OF PAY TELEPHONES
  62. Article X — TOBACCO PRODUCTS
  63. Article XI — TOBACCO AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA ESTABLISHMENTS
  64. Article XII — REGULATION AND CONTAINMENT OF SHOPPING CARTS
  65. Article XIII — CANNABIS FACILITIES
  66. Chapter 7B — OBNOXIOUS CONDUCT
  67. Chapter 8 — CARDROOMS
  68. Chapter 9 — CIVIL DEFENSE
  69. Chapter 9A — CABLE SYSTEMS AND OPEN VIDEO SYSTEMS
  70. Article I — GENERAL
  71. Article II — SPECIAL RULES APPLICABLE TO CABLE SYSTEMS
  72. Article III — OPEN VIDEO SYSTEMS
  73. Article IV — MISCELLANEOUS
  74. Chapter 9B — REGULATION OF STATE VIDEO FRANCHISE HOLDERS
  75. Chapter 10 — DANCES AND DANCE HALLS
  76. Chapter 10A — SMOKING
  77. Chapter 11 — FIRE PROTECTION
  78. Article I — FIRE DEPARTMENT
  79. Article II — FIRE PREVENTION
  80. Chapter 1 — Administration is hereby amended by adding to (A) …
  81. Chapter 3 — General Precautions Against Fire is hereby amended…
  82. Chapter 5 — Fire Service Features is hereby amended by adding …
  83. Chapter 9 — Fire Protection Systems is hereby amended by addin…
  84. Chapter 12 — Energy Systems is hereby amended by adding to (A)…
  85. Chapter 61 — Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPG) is hereby amended…
  86. Article III — ABATEMENT OF CERTAIN VEGETATION AND WASTE MATTER
  87. Chapter 12 — FOOD AND FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
  88. Article II — REFRIGERATION PLANTS
  89. Article III — PERMITS FOR FOOD-HANDLING ESTABLISHMENTS
  90. ▸Article IV — FOOD HANDLERS
    Overview
    1. Sec. 12.24. - Transmissible disease—Generally.
    2. Sec. 12.25. - Same—Medical examination; exclusion.
    3. Sec. 12.26. - Food handler training.
    4. Sec. 12.27. - Licensed hospital employees.
    5. Sec. 12.28. - Employment of food handlers.
    6. Sec. 12.29. - Food handler records.
    7. Sec. 12.30. - Fees.
  91. Article V — DESTRUCTION OF SPOILED FOOD
  92. Article VI — FOOD VENDING VEHICLES
  93. Article VII — FOOD VENDING MACHINES
  94. Article VIII — ICE CREAM VENDORS
  95. Chapter 13 — SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING
  96. Article I — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  97. Article II — DISCARDED MATERIALS COLLECTION SERVICES
  98. Article III — ENFORCEMENT
  99. Article IV — MARINE DEBRIS REDUCTION ORDINANCE
  100. Chapter 14 — HEALTH AND SANITATION
  101. Article II — PROHIBITION OF SMOKING IN COUNCIL CHAMBER
  102. Article III — FEE SCHEDULE: PERMIT PROCEDURE
  103. Article IV — HAZARDOUS WASTES
  104. Article V — LIABILITY FOR COSTS OF RESPONSE TO HAZARDOUS WASTE…
  105. Article VI — MEDICAL WASTE
  106. Chapter 14A — HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
  107. Chapter 14C — INCLUSIONARY HOUSING
  108. Chapter 15 — LICENSES
  109. Article II — LICENSING, MASSAGE TECHNICIANS AND ESTABLISHMENTS
  110. Article III — CONCEALABLE FIREARMS
  111. Article IV — BINGO GAMES
  112. Article V — SIDEWALK VENDORS
  113. Chapter 16 — MINORS
  114. Chapter 16B — MANUFACTURED HOME FAIR PRACTICES
  115. Chapter 16C — MUNICIPAL LOBBYIST REGISTRATION AND REPORTING RE…
  116. Chapter 17 — NUISANCE ABATEMENT
  117. Article I — REAL PROPERTY NUISANCE ABATEMENT
  118. Article II — WEED ABATEMENT
  119. Article III — VEHICLE ABATEMENT
  120. Article IV — DISTURBANCE ABATEMENT
  121. Chapter 18 — MUNICIPAL PIER
  122. Chapter 19 — OCEANSIDE BEACH
  123. Chapter 19A — OCEANSIDE BEACHES; CONSTRUCTION OF SEAWALLS, REV…
  124. Article I — DECLARATION OF PURPOSE
  125. Article II — DEFINITIONS
  126. Article III — PERMITS
  127. Article IV — APPLICABLE STANDARDS
  128. Article V — REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE
  129. Article VI — EMERGENCY WORK
  130. Article VII — PENALTIES—CONSTITUTIONALITY
  131. Chapter 20 — OFFENSES—MISCELLANEOUS
  132. Article I — PUBLIC PEACE, SAFETY AND WELFARE
  133. Article II — PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY
  134. Article III — NUISANCES
  135. Article IV — ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
  136. Article V — ILLEGAL STREET RACING
  137. Article VI — RESPONSIBLE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE SALES AND SERVICE …
  138. Article VII — SYNTHETIC DRUGS AND MISLABELED/MISBRANDED PRODUC…
  139. Chapter 21 — PARKS AND RECREATION
  140. Article II — PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
  141. Article III — SKATEBOARD PARKS
  142. Chapter 22 — PAWNBROKERS AND SECONDHAND DEALERS
  143. Chapter 23 — PERSONNEL SYSTEM
  144. Article I — IN GENERAL
  145. Article II — PERSONNEL DIRECTOR
  146. Article III — COMPETITIVE SERVICE
  147. Article IV — SUSPENSION, DISCHARGE, REDUCTION IN PERSONNEL, ETC.
  148. Article V — DETERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS
  149. Chapter 24 — SHORT-TERM RENTALS
  150. Chapter 24A — OCEANSIDE TOURISM MARKETING DISTRICT
  151. Chapter 25 — POLICE DEPARTMENT
  152. Chapter 26 — POOLROOMS AND SHOOTING GALLERIES
  153. Chapter 28A — PURCHASES AND SALES
  154. Chapter 29 — SEWERS AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL
  155. Article II — SEWER CONNECTIONS
  156. Article III — SERVICE CHARGES
  157. Article IV — EXTENSION OF SEWER MAINS
  158. Article V — ENLARGEMENT OF MAINS BEYOND MINIMUM CAPACITY REQUI…
  159. Article VI — RESERVED
  160. Article VII — SEWER ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS
  161. Article VIII — SEPTIC TANKS, CESSPOOLS, ETC.
  162. Division 2 — PERMITS
  163. Division 3 — INSPECTIONS
  164. Division 4 — CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN STANDARDS
  165. Division 5 — CONDEMNATION OF BUILDINGS
  166. Article IX — REGULATION OF COMMERCIAL KITCHEN GREASE DISPOSAL
  167. Article X — REGULATION OF DISCHARGE INTO CITY SEWER SYSTEM
  168. Chapter 29A — SMALL CRAFT HARBOR
  169. Article II — SANITATION AND REFUSE
  170. Article III — COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES
  171. Article IV — UNSEAWORTHY, SUNK OR ABANDONED VESSELS
  172. Article V — MISCELLANEOUS VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN REGULATIONS
  173. Chapter 30 — SOLICITORS, PEDDLERS, HAWKERS, ITINERANT MERCHANT…
  174. Article I — SOLICITATION IN GENERAL
  175. Article II — MISCELLANEOUS SOLICITATIONS
  176. Article III — AGGRESSIVE SOLICITATIONS
  177. Article IV — CHARITABLE SOLICITATIONS
  178. Chapter 30A — SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS
  179. Chapter 30B — SPECIAL OPERATIONS PERMIT: USE OF PUBLIC RECREAT…
  180. Chapter 31 — STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
  181. Article I.1 — PARKWAYS
  182. Article II — EXCAVATIONS GENERALLY
  183. Article IIA — EXCAVATIONS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
  184. Article IIB — ENCROACHMENTS ON PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
  185. Article III — UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES GENERALLY
  186. Division 1 — OBSTRUCTIONS
  187. Division 2 — REPAIRS
  188. Article V — DRIVEWAYS
  189. Article VI — POLES, WIRES, ETC.
  190. Article VII — OVERHANGING AWNINGS
  191. Article VIII — RESERVED
  192. Article IX — HOUSE NUMBERS
  193. Chapter 31A — STREET TREES AND OTHER VEGETATION
  194. Chapter 31B — SWAP MEETS
  195. Chapter 32A — RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT CONTROL
  196. Article I — PROCEDURES
  197. Chapter 32C — PUBLIC FACILITY FEE REQUIREMENTS
  198. Chapter 32D — PARKS IMPACT FEE
  199. Chapter 32E — SCHOOL FACILITIES MITIGATION
  200. Chapter 34 — TAXATION
  201. Article I — TRANSFER OF CITY TAX FUNCTION TO COUNTY
  202. Article II — SALES AND USE TAX
  203. Division 1 — IN GENERAL
  204. Division 2 — TEMPORARY ONE-HALF CENT SALES TAX
  205. Article III — TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
  206. Article IV — REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX
  207. Article V — CANNABIS BUSINESS TAX
  208. Chapter 35 — TAXICABS AND OTHER VEHICLES FOR HIRE
  209. Article II — CERTIFICATE TO OPERATE
  210. Article III — LICENSES
  211. Article IV — OPERATING REGULATIONS
  212. Article V — DRIVERS
  213. Article VI — SPECIFICATIONS AND EQUIPMENT
  214. Article VII — FARES
  215. Chapter 36 — TRAMPOLINE CENTERS
  216. Chapter 36A — TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
  217. Article II — BUS LOADING ZONES
  218. Chapter 36B — UNDERGROUND UTILITIES
  219. Chapter 37 — WATER
  220. Article II — WATER RATES AND COLLECTION THEREOF
  221. Division 2 — METERS
  222. Article III — EXTENSION OF WATER MAINS
  223. Article IV — WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT FEES
  224. Article V — WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM
  225. Article VI — EXTERNAL WATER PROVIDER CHARGES
  226. Article VII — WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE REGULATIONS
  227. Article VIII — RECYCLED WATER
  228. Article IX — CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL AND BACKFLOW PREVENTION
  229. Chapter 38 — NOISE CONTROL
  230. Article III — SOUND LEVEL LIMITS
  231. Article IV — PROHIBITED NOISES
  232. Article V — EXEMPTIONS
  233. Article VI — ENFORCEMENT
  234. Chapter 39 — LIGHT POLLUTION REGULATIONS
  235. Chapter 40 — URBAN RUNOFF AND DISCHARGE CONTROL
  236. Article I — DEFINITIONS
  237. Article II — TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATION
  238. Article III — ENFORCEMENT AND OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
  239. Article IV — TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES
  240. Article V — TURNING MOVEMENTS
  241. Article VI — ONE-WAY STREETS AND ALLEYS
  242. Article VII — STOP AND YIELD REQUIREMENTS
  243. Article VIII — MISCELLANEOUS DRIVING RULES
  244. Article IX — PEDESTRIANS' REGULATIONS
  245. Article X — STOPPING, STANDING AND GENERAL PARKING REGULATIONS
  246. Article XI — SPECIAL PARKING ZONES
  247. Article XII — RESTRICTED USE OF CERTAIN STREETS
  248. Article XIII — PAID, OFF-STREET, AND BEACH AREA PARKING AREAS
  249. Article XIV — SPECIAL SPEED ZONES
  250. Article XV — SCHOOL CROSSING REGULATIONS
  251. Article XVII — REMOVAL OF KEYS FROM UNATTENDED VEHICLES

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