Jacksonville Beach, FL Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)

Section 12-18 is the health-certification rule in Jacksonville Beach's food chapter, and its reach is narrow. It sits in Article II, Ice Cream and Similar Frozen Food Products, and applies to anyone participating in the sale or handling of the products referred to in that article. The code does not print a general food handler card or training course for restaurant workers in this section.

Two documents are required before a person can take part. The first is a certificate from any licensed physician showing that the person is free from any disease considered dangerous or a menace to public health. The second is a food safety inspection report issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The word is no person: the requirement attaches to individual employees and operators who handle or sell, not just to the business owner.

Other sections of the article build the surrounding process. Operating a vehicle on city streets for retail sale of pre-packaged snacks, ice cream or similar frozen products needs a license from the city manager (section 12-27). The application goes to the city clerk, is sworn, and lists the applicant's details, a description of each vehicle with a statement of public liability and property damage insurance meeting the minimum state requirements, and a schedule of all products proposed to be sold (section 12-28). The police department must inspect and certify each vehicle's lights, brakes, tires and speedometer before it is licensed or used (section 12-17). An occupational license tax is payable to the city clerk for each vehicle at the amount stated in section 15-13 (section 12-29). Section 12-19 requires products to be securely packaged and enclosed in sanitary covers.