California Health and Safety Code section 113948 requires food employees in Riverside restaurants to obtain an accredited food handler card within 30 days of hire and renew it every three years.
Food employees who prepare, store, or serve food in Riverside food facilities must complete an ANSI-accredited food handler training and pass an exam, then keep their certificate available for inspectors. Employers retain copies for the duration of employment plus 90 days. Common training providers include StateFoodSafety, ServSafe, and Learn2Serve. Persons in charge must additionally hold a Food Safety Manager certification. Riverside County environmental health inspectors verify cards during routine inspections, and missing documentation is a cited violation that lowers the placard score.
Working as a food employee without a valid card after 30 days, or failing to keep records on file, results in citations against the operator and possible re-inspection fees.
See how Riverside's food handler certification rules stack up against other locations.
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