Bloomfield, NJ Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)
Key Facts
- Who needs it
- Anyone manufacturing, handling or serving food or beverages
- Issuer
- Bloomfield Board of Health
- Supervisor certificate
- Issued for one year, renewed as Health Officer directs
- Course fee
- $40 per student (§ 578-9(D)(1))
- Hand-washing water
- Hot running water at least 100° F.
- Maximum fine
- $500 per offense, each day separate (§ 618-19)
Summary
In Bloomfield Township, Essex County, New Jersey, no one can work in manufacturing, handling or serving food or beverages without first obtaining a food handler's certificate from the Board of Health under § 618-4. Every retail food establishment also needs a certified supervisor, and the Environmental Division's food handler course costs $40 per student.
A. No person shall be employed in or work or be engaged in the business or occupation of manufacturing, handling or serving food, foodstuffs or beverages intended or suited for human consumption unless such person shall first obtain a food handler's certificate from the Board of Health. B. No retail food establishment shall hereinafter operate unless at least one person connected with said establishment, who is responsible for the general sanitation of the establishment and who is hereafter referred to as the "supervisor," shall have completed a course of general instruction in bacteria characteristics and growth, spread of food-borne diseases, methods of preventing food poisoning, proper handling techniques, equipment and establishment sanitation, dishwashing and sanitation and insect and rodent control, for food establishment risk types 2, 3 and 4 as defined in N.J.A.C. 8:24.
Full Breakdown
Section 618-4(A) of the Bloomfield Township Code applies to anyone employed in, working in or engaged in the business or occupation of manufacturing, handling or serving food, foodstuffs or beverages intended or suited for human consumption. The certificate comes from the Board of Health and must be obtained first, before the person starts. The section was amended on 3-1-1978, 11-5-1987 and 9-22-2016 by BOH Ord. No. 002-2016.
Subsection B adds an establishment-level requirement. A retail food establishment cannot operate unless at least one person connected with it, who is responsible for general sanitation and is called the supervisor, has completed a course covering bacteria characteristics and growth, spread of food-borne diseases, methods of preventing food poisoning, proper handling techniques, equipment and establishment sanitation, dishwashing and sanitation, and insect and rodent control, for food establishment risk types 2, 3 and 4 as defined in N.J.A.C. 8:24. The Board of Health or an agency with a Board-approved course gives the instruction. The supervisor's certificate is issued for one year and is renewed as the Health Officer directs, by additional courses, review of the entire course or other requirements within the section. Each food-handling establishment designates to the Board the persons it nominates as supervisors.
Subsection C requires every retail food establishment to adopt a hand-washing policy. The supervisor must provide hot running water of at least 100° F., soap or hand cleaning compound, single-use paper towels or a warm-air hand dryer, sign and submit an annual Health Department statement, give new employees the procedure before the first day of work, and post how-to-wash-hands signage at each hand-washing area. Section 618-5 bars food handling by anyone affected with a communicable disease that can be transmitted through food. The fee schedule at § 578-9(D)(1) lists the Environmental Division food handler course at $40 per student.
Violations & Fines
Section 618-19 sets a fine not exceeding $500 upon conviction for violating any provision of Chapter 618, and each violation and each day it continues is a separate and distinct offense. An establishment running without a certified supervisor, or an employee working without the Board of Health certificate, is therefore exposed to a separate daily charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do food workers in Bloomfield Township, NJ need a certificate?
What is the supervisor requirement for retail food establishments?
How much does the Bloomfield food handler course cost?
What must a Bloomfield food establishment do about hand washing?
Sources & Official References
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