| Action Summary | The Food Regulations (12VAC5-421 et seq.) establish minimum sanitary standards for the operation of the Commonwealth’s food establishments, which include traditional restaurants, mobile food units, temporary food vendors, hospital and nursing facility food service, and school food service. Those standards include: (1) the safe and sanitary maintenance, storage, operation, and use of equipment; (2) the safe preparation, handling, protection, and preservation of food, including necessary refrigeration and heating methods; (3) procedures for vector and pest control; (4) requirements for toilet and cleansing facilities for employees and customers; (5) requirements for appropriate lighting and ventilation not otherwise provided for in the Uniform Statewide Building Code; (6) requirements for an approved water supply and sewage disposal system; (7) personal hygiene standards for employees, particularly those engaged in food handling; and (8) the appropriate use of precautions to prevent the transmission of communicable diseases. The proposed regulatory action would amend the existing Food Regulations to incorporate, in part, 2022 amendments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code. Proposed edits include the addition and revision of definitions, updates to cross references, and changes to standards related to temperatures, food donation, and risk categorization. The FDA Food Code serves as a model document to assist state and local agencies with regulatory authority over food safety by creating a regulatory scheme that reflects the most current science available to reduce the risk of food borne illnesses associated with food establishments. Additional amendments are intended to ensure clarity and uniform application. |
| Chapters Affected | Only affects this chapter. |
| Executive Branch Review | This action will go through the normal Executive Branch Review process. |
| RIS Project | Yes [7483] |
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Is Federal action a driving factor in this regulatory change? If so, please provide a specific reference to the law, regulation
or court case.
United States Food and Drug Administration published 2022 Food Code
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| New Periodic Review | This action will not be used to conduct a new periodic review. |
| Stage ID | Stage Type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 10257 | Fast-Track | Secretary of Health and Human Resources review in progress. |
| Name / Title: | Julie Henderson / Director, Office of Environmental Health Services |
| Address: |
109 Governor St. Richmond, VA 23219 |
| Email Address: | julie.henderson@vdh.virginia.gov |
| Phone: | (804)864-7455 FAX: (804)864-7475 TDD: (800)828-1120 |
