Antioch, CA Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)
Key Facts
- Deadline to obtain permit
- Within 30 days of hire
- Issuing authority
- City Health Officer
- Permit basis
- Negative County chest X-ray
- Validity
- 2 years, renew before expiry
- Emergency suspension
- Up to 5 days immediately
Summary
Antioch requires every person who works with food in a food handling establishment, paid or not, to obtain an individual health permit from the Health Officer within 30 days of starting work. Under AMC § 6-2.15 that permit is not a modern food-safety course; it is proof of a negative County Health Department chest X-ray.
§ 6-2.14 HEALTH PERMIT FOR FOOD HANDLERS REQUIRED. Every person working or handling food in any food handling establishment, with or without pay, shall secure a health permit from the Health Officer within 30 days of first such employment in the city. ...
§ 6-2.15 FORM OF HEALTH PERMIT. Such health permit shall be the negative report of a County Health Department chest X ray or a letter from the Health Officer to the same effect.
Full Breakdown
02. 16 makes it valid for two years, requiring the employee to obtain a replacement before it expires. 18 makes it the separate duty of each manager, operator, or owner of a food handling establishment to employ only workers holding a valid permit. 20 allows suspension for up to 90 days, or until compliance, after a hearing on a written complaint. These sections date to Ordinance 433-A, adopted December 22, 1958, and have been amended repeatedly through 1966 without replacing the chest-X-ray standard with a modern certified food handler card.
Violations & Fines
Working without the individual health permit, or an owner or operator employing an unpermitted handler, is chargeable as a misdemeanor under AMC §§ 6-2.14 and 6-2.18 and the citywide general penalty, § 1-2.01, with each day of the violation a separate offense; the Health Officer can also emergency-suspend the establishment's own operating permit for five days, or for up to 90 days after a hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Antioch food workers need a food handler card?
How long does the health permit last?
Can my employer be cited for my missing permit?
Can the city shut down a restaurant over a health violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Antioch
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Food Handler Certification in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Contra Costa County handle food handler certification.