San Benito County, CA Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)
Key Facts
- Deadline
- cert within 10 days
- Operator exam
- required before permit
- Administered by
- county Environmental Health Services
- Applies
- MEHKOs countywide
Summary
Anyone participating in a San Benito County microenterprise home kitchen operation must obtain a food handler certification within ten days of starting.
Any person(s) participating in the MEHKO shall obtain a Food Handler Certification within ten days of such participation as specified in Cal. Health and Safety Code § 113948.
(C) All MEHKO food must be stored, prepared, packaged, transported, kept for sale, and served to be pure and free from adulteration and spoilage and protected from contamination.
(D) All food storage within the permitted area shall comply with CRFC of Cal. Health and Safety Code Chapter 4, Article 5. Any other detached rooms on the premises, including accessory buildings and garages, may be used to store food items only if all food is stored inside an approved refrigerator and/or freezer with a closable door/lid. Sleeping quarters or second units are not included as a permitted area.
(E) Only one MEHKO may operate per residence.
(F) No MEHKO food preparation, packaging, or handling may occur concurrent with any other domestic activities, including, but not limited to, family meal preparation, guest entertaining, or dishwashing.
(G) Other than service animals, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulation Title 28, § 35.104, all animals shall be excluded from the kitchen and dining areas during food service and preparation.
(H) Equipment and utensils used to produce MEHKO food shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and maintained in a good state of repair.
(I) All food contact surfaces, equipment, and utensils used for the
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-28: current through Ordinance 1078).
Full Breakdown
San Benito County Code § 7.14.006(B) requires any person participating in a permitted microenterprise home kitchen operation (MEHKO), a state-authorized home food business under Cal. Health & Safety Code § 113825, to obtain a Food Handler Certification within ten days of beginning to participate, per Cal. Health and Safety Code § 113948. The MEHKO operator must separately pass an accredited Food Safety Certification Examination before the county's Environmental Health Services division will issue the operating permit (§ 7.14.006(A)). This applies to MEHKOs in both the unincorporated and incorporated areas of the county (§ 7.14.001).
Violations & Fines
Operating without the required certifications is grounds for permit denial, suspension, or revocation by the LEA, and the department may issue administrative citations under Cal. Gov't Code § 53069.4 (§§ 7.14.005, 7.14.008).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all MEHKO helpers need a food handler card, or just the operator?
Who issues the MEHKO permit in San Benito County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Benito County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Benito County to another location·View the California public health rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.