Iowa Changes Safety Regulations for Prepared Foods
The state department of inspections and appeals has drafted new food safety standards set to start Jan. 1, 2014
The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals has drafted new food safety standards that took effect Jan. 1, according to an article from ABC News. The new standards, which affect any business serving prepared foods, aims to protect Iowa residents from foodborne illnesses.
The new standard requires a certified food protection manager to oversee the handling of food on site, including grocery stores and restaurants. Each location has to have a person who has a certified food protection manager seal, which can be obtained through taking an eight-hour course, according to the article. The eight-hour course provides a license that is good for five years and in the course, managers learn about food handling, food prep and serving standards.
The new standard applies to existing businesses as well as any new business set to open in 2014. New businesses will have to obtain the license within six months of opening their establishment. According to the article, existing restaurants and grocery stores with prepared foods, “have to meet the requirements by January 1, 2018.”