The Hawaii State Department of Health said Tuesday that it will introduce amendments and updates to the state's food safety code, including a new education requirement, that will affect restaurants and other food service operations in the Islands.

The department will hold public hearings will be held on the Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai from Dec. 5-9 to introduce the amendments to the Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 11, Chapter 50, Food Safety Code, which outlines standards for all food establishments statewide.

“The department is continuing to raise the state’s food safety standards by further updating regulations to increase the focus on prevention and reduce the risk of residents and visitors contracting foodborne illness,” Peter Oshiro, head of the DOH Food Safety program, said in a statement. “Updating state requirements and fees and aligning our state with federal standards are essential for creating a world class food safety program in Hawaii.”

The new food safety education requirement will require at least one employee on every work shift to be certified at the formal "Food Handlers Training" level, ensuring a standard baseline of food safety knowledge for all establishment owners and managers.

Another amendment to be proposed is the adoption of the 2013 FDA Model Food Code, which will provide Hawaii with the most current nationally recognized food code and provide consistent requirements for food facilities that operate across multiple states.

Additional proposed changes to the state’s food safety rules include:
▪Removing the 20-days-of-sale limit for homemade foods (cottage foods) that are not considered a potential public health risk;
▪Removing the restriction on the number of days a special event temporary food establishment permit may be valid;
▪Establishing a new fee structure for temporary food establishment permits ($100 for a 20-day permit plus $5 for each additional day over 20, to a maximum of one year);
▪Streamlining regulations for mobile food establishments (e.g. food trucks) by incorporating the requirements into existing rules for their base operations or “brick and mortar” establishments;
▪Revising the fee structure for mobile units with no increase to the total amount currently paid by a mobile operator;
▪Allowing placarding during all inspections;
▪Allowing the state to refuse permit renewal for non-payment of fines or stipulated agreements more than 30 days overdue; and
▪Requiring state approval for the sale of “wild harvested mushrooms.”

The public hearing for Oahu will take place Monday, Dec. 5 from 2-5 p.m. in Honolulu in the department's the Environmental Health Services Division Food Safety Education Room.

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