Fairfax restaurants must have at least one Certified Food Protection Manager on staff under the Virginia Food Regulations. Fairfax does not require county-specific food handler cards for line workers.
Under 12VAC5-421-55 of the Virginia Food Regulations, every food establishment in Fairfax County must employ at least one Certified Food Protection Manager who has passed an ANSI-accredited examination such as ServSafe, Prometric, or NRFSP. Certification is good for five years. Unlike some California or Texas jurisdictions, Virginia and Fairfax County do not require individual food handler cards for line cooks, servers, or dishwashers. The Fairfax County Health Department verifies the manager certificate during routine inspections. Mobile food units, food trucks, and temporary event food vendors are subject to the same manager requirement when handling time and temperature controlled foods.
Operating without a Certified Food Protection Manager is a priority foundation violation that can trigger reinspection fees, permit suspension, and orders to cease food service.
Fairfax County, VA
Mobile food vendors in Fairfax County must obtain a Business, Professional and Occupational License (BPOL), a Virginia Department of Health mobile food estab...
Fairfax County, VA
Fairfax County Health Department inspects restaurants under Virginia Food Regulations. Inspection reports are public, posted online, but Virginia does not re...
See how Fairfax County's food handler certification rules stack up against other locations.
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