Milwaukee, WI Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Shared kitchen users, secondary license holders
- Required credential
- Certified food manager license, Wis. Stat. § 97.33
- Trigger
- Whenever potentially hazardous food is handled
- Enforced by
- Milwaukee Health Department inspections
- Penalty
- Class N forfeiture under s. 61-20
Summary
Milwaukee requires a certified food manager on site whenever a shared commercial kitchen user handles potentially hazardous food, and the certificate must be produced to inspectors on request.
c. Ensure a certified food manager is on site at all times that potentially hazardous food is being prepared, tasted, handled, packaged, prepared for storage, served or otherwise used, and make available, upon request, a food manager certificate.
d. Have a copy of a city-issued license posted on site at all times when the shared kitchen user is using the shared kitchen.
e. Keep and maintain on file each of the following records: e-1. A list identifying the dates and times the user uses the shared kitchen. e-2. A copy of the written statement signed by the primary license holder of the shared kitchen stating that the shared kitchen user has been authorized to rent, lease or use the shared kitchen. The statement shall include the start date and end date, if any, to which the authorization applies.
4. USER RECORDS. The records required under sub. 3-e shall be maintained by the shared kitchen user for a period of at least 24 months after the date of entry of a record. Upon a request by any authorized city official, the shared kitchen user shall make these records immediately available for inspection by an authorized city official.
Food License Regulations 68-37
Full Breakdown
Under Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 68-35-3-c, any secondary or subsequent food establishment operating out of a shared commercial kitchen, food trucks, caterers, commissaries and other license holders splitting kitchen space, must ensure a certified food manager is physically on site whenever potentially hazardous food is being prepared, tasted, handled, packaged, stored, served or otherwise used. The manager must hold the state's certificate of food protection practices issued under Wis. Stat. § 97.33, commonly called a food managers license, and produce it to the health department on request. The requirement is enforced through the health department's routine licensing inspections.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 68 violations carry a Class N forfeiture under s. 61-20; the code sets a distinct Class I penalty specifically for certified-food-manager violations under s. 68-45-4, on top of possible license suspension or revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who must have a certified food manager on site in Milwaukee?
What certificate satisfies the requirement?
What happens if no certified manager is present?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Milwaukee
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