Richmond food establishments must employ a Certified Food Protection Manager under Virginia Food Regulations 12VAC5-421; individual food handlers do not need a state-issued card but must follow employee health rules.
The Virginia Food Regulations 12VAC5-421, adopted under Virginia Code Title 35.1, require every Richmond restaurant, deli, school kitchen and food truck to have at least one Certified Food Protection Manager who has passed an ANSI-accredited exam such as ServSafe. Certificates must be available on site for inspection by Richmond City Health District staff. Virginia does not mandate a separate food-handler card for line workers, but employers must train staff on hand hygiene, glove use and reporting illness. Employees with vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice or active foodborne illness must be excluded from work.
Operating without a Certified Food Protection Manager on staff or letting symptomatic workers handle food can result in critical violations, fines and permit suspension by VDH.
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