Food Safety Rules and Regulations

Retail Food Code

Washington State Retail Food Code, Chapter 246-215 WAC (PDF) - These rules provide the safety standards for food served or sold to the public in Washington State.

Certified Food Protection Manager

While every manager must maintain Active Managerial Control, most food establishments are also required to have at least one employee with a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certificate (WAC 246-215-02107). 

The CFPM must make sure managers are trained, procedures are developed, and food safety requirements are understood and followed. The CFPM does not need to be on premises but is expected to have a key role in ensuring food safety. A person may be the CFPM for multiple establishments, such as at a restaurant or store with several locations.

View a list of ANSI accredited organizations that issue Certified Food Protection Manager certifications

Certified Food Protection Manager Infographic (PDF) - Review the steps to prepare for and to take the certified food protection manager exam.

Active Managerial Control Materials

Active Managerial Control (AMC) is the purposeful use of policies and procedures in the food establishment to control foodborne illness risk factors. Every person in charge must have active managerial control and ensure food safety requirements are followed. 

These sample template forms are part of an Active Managerial Control Toolkit to assist food establishment operators interested in developing policies and procedures for review, training, and monitoring food safety risks. Contact your local health department for additional information specific to your operations.

Active Managerial Control and Certified Food Protection Manager (Word) - View this Word Document in Spanish, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Korean, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, Vietnamese

Allergen Awareness (Word) - Translations coming soon. 

Checklist for Major Food Allergens on the Menu (Word)

Allergen signs for food establishments

Bare Hand Contact with Ready-To-Eat Foods (Word) - View this Word Document in Spanish, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Korean, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, Vietnamese

Date Marking (Word) - View this Word Document in Spanish, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Korean, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, Vietnamese

Employee Health Plan (Word) - View this Word Document in Spanish, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Korean, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, Vietnamese

Food Employee Illness Log (Word) - View this Word Document in Spanish, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Korean, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, Vietnamese

Food Worker Card and Food Worker Training (Word) - View this Word Document in Spanish, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Korean, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, Vietnamese

Pet Dogs on Premises (Word) - View this Word Document in Spanish, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Korean, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, Vietnamese

Pet Dog signs for food establishments

Refilling Consumer-owned Containers (Word) - View this Word Document in Spanish, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Korean, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, Vietnamese

Vomit and Diarrhea Clean-up Plan (Word) - View this Word Document in Spanish, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Korean, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, Vietnamese

Guidelines and Signs

Food service guidelines and signs for food establishments.

Food Worker Card

Food Worker Card Regulations, Chapter 246-217 WAC

Food Worker Card Frequently Asked Questions

Rule Revisions

Retail Food Code Rule Revision

Food Truck Distance to Employee Restroom Rule Revision

Cottage Food Operations Proposed Legislation

The department is considering a request for the 2025 legislative session to amend Chapter 69.22 RCW to move authority of cottage food operations to the Department of Health. Learn more about this potential agency request and provide input on the Cottage Food Operations Proposed Legislation

 

Content Source: Food Safety Program