Tennessee adopts the FDA Food Code, requiring each Nashville food service establishment to employ at least one Certified Food Protection Manager who has passed an ANSI-CFP accredited exam. MPHD inspectors verify certificates during routine inspections.
Under TN Rules 1200-23-01 and the adopted FDA Food Code, every restaurant, school cafeteria, mobile food unit, and similar Nashville establishment must designate a person in charge who is a Certified Food Protection Manager, demonstrated by an ANSI-CFP accredited credential such as ServSafe, Prometric, or 360training. The certificate holder need not be on site every shift but must train staff on hand hygiene, allergens, time-temperature controls, and cleaning. Tennessee does not require food handler cards for line workers statewide, though employers often require them. Certificates are valid five years.
Operating without a CFPM, presenting expired certificates, or failing to demonstrate active managerial control during inspection results in priority violations and required corrective action plans.
Nashville, TN
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