New York Sanitary Code requires every Westchester food service establishment to have a certified food protection manager on staff; individual food handler cards are not state-mandated but some employers require them.
Under New York State Sanitary Code Subpart 14-1, each food service establishment in Westchester must employ at least one supervisor who has completed an approved food protection course (such as ServSafe) and holds a current certificate. Westchester does not impose a county-level food handler card on every employee, unlike some out-of-state jurisdictions. Operators must train staff on safe holding temperatures, allergen awareness, and handwashing. Certificates from ANSI-accredited programs are accepted. Certification typically lasts five years. Mobile food vendors and temporary event food booths must also designate a certified manager during operation.
Critical inspection violation if no certified manager present; permit non-renewal for repeated lack of certified supervision.
See how Mount Vernon's food handler certification rules stack up against other locations.
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