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CulinaryA certified person in charge on site

Someone has to own every allergy order while the doors are open. Under the FDA Food Code the permit holder is the person in charge or designates one, present during all hours of operation, and that person is a certified food protection manager who can describe the major food allergens and their symptoms. Massachusetts adds allergen awareness training and a trained alternate.

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Scenarios

  • The person in charge goes on vacation for a week.
  • An inspector asks the person in charge about major food allergens during an inspection.
  • A new restaurant opens and the owner must decide who is in charge.

The steps

  1. The permit holder is the person in charge or designates one, and makes sure a person in charge is present during all hours of operation.
  2. The person in charge is a certified food protection manager who passed a test that is part of an accredited program.
  3. During inspections and on request, the person in charge demonstrates knowledge, including describing the major food allergens and the symptoms they can cause in a sensitive person who has an allergic reaction.
  4. In Massachusetts, the person in charge is also trained in allergen awareness and is on site during all operating hours.
  5. Designate and train an alternate person in charge to cover absences.
  6. The person in charge makes sure employees are trained in food allergy awareness for their duties.

Safety rules that stop the station

  • No hour of operation goes by without a person in charge present.

To pass

  • A manager certified by a program evaluated and listed by an accrediting agency recognized by the Conference for Food Protection complies with the certification rule.
  • Massachusetts allergen awareness training certificates are valid for five years from the date they are issued.
  • The rule does not apply to establishments the regulatory authority deems minimal risk because of the nature of the operation and the extent of food preparation.

Official source

Federal · FDA Food Code 2022, 2-101.11, 2-102.11 and 2-102.12

FDA Food Code 2022 (full document)

The FDA publishes the 2022 Food Code free: 2-101.11 places the person in charge, 2-102.11 lists the knowledge and 2-102.12 requires the certified food protection manager.

Making Synapses is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by the FDA, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health or any certification provider. Agency names are named only to describe the content.

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